ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people don't fall into a binary of sex. However, sex and gender can affect the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of the early years of childhood, typically before the age of 12. ADHD must show signs before 12 years of age and cause problems in more than one environment to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the core of ADHD and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have a difficult focus, particularly since symptoms can manifest differently than in men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and struggle to put things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability to focus which can lead to an inability to perform at work or at home. They're also more likely miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medications.
In addition to these innate differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a bigger hippocampus that aids in memory and learning, and hormonal changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain's function.
As a result, women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in relationships as well as at work. They might also struggle with a myriad of comorbid disorders, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for health professionals to be aware of the various indicators that females suffering from ADHD often show. They must recalibrate their approaches for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD in order to account for emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. The patients will then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with other people. This can result in to emotional dysregulation, which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact how women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are thought to be more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can lead to their frustration at living with untreated ADHD.
The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex, is affected in people with ADHD. This means they have a harder time making decisions and sticking in their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or to make an inappropriate statement in public.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medication that helps to control their impulsivity. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will aid people suffering from ADHD modify their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day, and to share the information with their doctor to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people suffering from ADHD and affect their work and personal lives. It could take longer to complete tasks and decrease their productivity. They might also miss deadlines and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
Inability to organize can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. They might miss important dates or misplace items like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated as a result. They may also feel unloved by family members and friends. It is more difficult to organize in menopausal or perimenopausal women, when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.
It is not unusual for women to hide their ADHD symptoms to conform with society's norms and avoid being judged. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It may also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may have poor performance at work or in school. This could have a negative impact on their job, grades or reputation. This can also cause problems in their personal lives. For instance it could lead to issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization can receive one-on-one assistance by a non-judgmental therapist. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by making a list and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional could also recommend medication and lifestyle changes to aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. adhd in women signs could include eating smaller frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine, which can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of daily life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism, and the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It was also found to be associated with a fear of making a mistake which could help explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study on adult women with adhd that were interviewed, they described not being able to make choices about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had trouble finding a job that they liked. They often waited for other people to make decisions or were unable to complete projects themselves, such as arranging childcare. They often felt they were being held back by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsive.
They had a difficult time keeping friendships and were unable to relax, leading to problems with their mental health. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them increase their self-esteem since they were not blaming themselves. adhd traits in women had access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that the women were very optimistic, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. These included a lack of career or romantic opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Women might cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that these symptoms are less acceptable for men and boys. They may also be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can cause low self-esteem, which could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a precursor to healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - like relationships, careers, wealth, and power to feel a sense of worthiness. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can lead to a lack in communication within relationships.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, those with ADHD often struggle with a feeling that they don't have enough of the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or to "keep up" with others. This can lead to toxic work cultures, a negative self-image, and an addiction to substances or food.
Despite these major challenges However, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects to living with ADHD. Most of them say that they view their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they feel they can manage it. Some have identified personal strengths they believe are partially due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to easily get interested in new topics. They also talk about their individual struggles in the context of the larger picture, which includes biological and gender distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.