ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. A lot of people do not fit neatly into a binary gender. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one environment to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is the core of ADHD and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have a harder time focusing, especially since symptoms may manifest differently than men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely to experience emotional stress and have trouble putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate and can result in an inability to perform at work or at home. They're also more likely not attend doctor appointments or neglect to take their medications.
Women's hormones as well as these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps with memory and learning. Menstrual hormone fluctuations as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also affect brain function.
As a result, women with undiagnosed ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in their relationships and at work. They might also suffer from a variety of comorbid disorders including anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
It is crucial that health professionals understand the numerous signs that females with ADHD show. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other variables that affect the severity of symptoms. In this way, these patients can finally get the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It can also be linked to negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friends, a messy house or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently viewed as more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they may be misinterpreted or dismissed as being emotionally prone. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they have a harder time making decisions and executing in their intentions. This could make you want to indulge in more cake or make a snide comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medications that help them manage their impulses. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy is also suggested, which can help those suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and learn healthier coping skills.
A good night's sleep, eating a healthy diet, and practicing meditation can also help in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician so they can assess whether the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with ADHD and can have a negative impact on their work and personal lives. They may find it difficult to complete their tasks, and their productivity may be reduced. They might also be late and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and isolated. They can also feel misunderstood by family and friends. The disorder is more prevalent in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It can also be a reason for why girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women with untreated ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This can negatively impact their work, grades, or their image. It can also create problems for their personal life. For instance it could lead to difficulties with romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from one-on-one help from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach them strategies to get and stay organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can increase the adverse effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of daily life. Indecisiveness is measured by several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to employ worst-case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It was also discovered to be linked to the fear of making a mistake, which could explain why people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In adhd in women adult of qualitative research on adult women with adhd interviewed they said they were not able to make decisions about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They frequently waited for other people to make decisions or were unable to finish projects themselves, such as arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or starting projects were holding them back.
They struggled to maintain friendships and were unable to relax and recharging their mental health. They described high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by media and adults. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD, which helped them increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that the women had a lot of positive qualities but struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. These included a lack romantic or career opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Certain of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are considered to be less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for males and females and so women may hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorder. Some women might internalize their ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss that contribute to depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a precursor to healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships as well as money and power. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication within a relationship, which can ultimately end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, those with ADHD often struggle with feeling like they don't have enough of the good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment, a negative body image and an addiction to food or other substances.
Despite these significant issues However, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They described ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage according to the way they perceive their ability to manage it. adhd in women adults of them have identified personal strengths they believe are partially due to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to effortlessly become fascinated by new subjects. They also discuss their individual struggles in the context of the larger picture, which includes biological and gender differences, as well as cultural and family issues.