ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people don't belong to a sex binary. Sexe and gender can affect the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem for all genders. But women may find it more challenging to attain the focus they require due to the fact that symptoms usually appear in different ways than in men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They're also more likely to become emotional and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus, which can lead to an inability to perform at home or work. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with their doctor.
The hormones of women along with these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. The female hippocampus is larger which helps in memory and learning. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also influence brain function.
In the end, women who aren't diagnosed with 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 depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
It is crucial that health professionals understand the numerous signs that females with ADHD exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD in order to take into account hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. Patients can then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation, which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. These include low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are often perceived as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be misunderstood or dismissed as being emotionally prone. This can lead to their frustration in being diagnosed with ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make you want to indulge in more cake or make a rude comment.
For adults with ADHD medication can assist to improve their ability to manage their behavior. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Nonstimulants like clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy can also be suggested, which can help those suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping skills.
Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can also help to control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and to share this information with their physician to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for people with ADHD and affect their personal and professional lives. It can take them longer to complete tasks and decrease their productivity. They might also be late and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Insanity can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may miss important dates or misplace things like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated due to this. They may also feel unloved by family members and friends. Disorganization is more common during perimenopause or menopause when hormones are changing and symptoms become more severe.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. This could be a reason why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence when symptoms are more evident.
Women who are not treated for ADHD might have a poor performance at school or at work. This could affect their career, grades or overall standing. This can also cause problems for their personal life. For instance it could lead to issues with romantic partners or strain relationships with family members and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized can receive one-on-one assistance from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can help them learn strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making a list of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may also suggest medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can worsen the adverse effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of daily life. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness has also been linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people perceive ambiguous situations as being threatening. It is also believed to be correlated with a fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it is common for people with adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women with adhd participants, they reported being unable to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships, and had difficulty finding a job that they liked. They often had to wait for others to decide or were unable to finish projects on their own, for example, organizing childcare. They often felt like they were being restricted by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsive.
They had trouble relaxing and maintaining friendships which led to mental health issues. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial for self-image because it meant they were not blamed for their condition. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women had a number of positive characteristics but were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. These included a lack romantic or career opportunities and difficulties in maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Some of the signs that make up ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for males and females and so women may hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorganization. They may also be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can result in feelings of self-esteem loss that can cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. inattentive add in women who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look outside themselves to find validation, including relationships, careers, money, and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also result in an absence of communication within relationships.
Women suffering from ADHD might also feel they are not worthy of good things in life. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with others. This can result in an unhealthy work environment, a negative body image and an addiction to food or substances.
Despite these significant difficulties, 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 how they feel about their ability to control it. Some of them have also identified their own strengths that they believe are partially due to their ADHD. These include the ability to be creative, energetic and determination, as well as the ability to effortlessly become interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues as well as biological and gender differences.