ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. A lot of people do not fit neatly into the binary sexuality. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of early childhood, typically before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to qualify for the diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. Women may have a harder time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus, which can lead to an absence of productivity at home or work. They're also more likely miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
In addition to these innate gender differences, hormones of women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus, which aids in memory and learning, and hormone changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain's function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school and at work. They may also have various comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for health care professionals to recognize the many clues that females with ADHD often show. They should rethink their strategies to diagnose and treat females with ADHD in order to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with others. This can cause to emotional dysregulation that is a component of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression that coexist as well as problematic relationships with loved ones which can lead to violence between partners, problems with friendships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are viewed as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can increase their frustration about living with untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD have impaired impulse control which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and following through with their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or to make an inappropriate comment in public.
For people who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to improve their ability to control their behavior. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and Guanfacine are also effective. Patients with ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them alter their thinking patterns and develop better strategies for coping.
Sleeping enough, eating attention deficit disorder in women , and practicing meditation can also help in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It is also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day, and then share this information with their doctor in order to assess whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people with ADHD and affect their work and personal lives. It may take longer to complete their tasks and decrease their efficiency. They might also be late and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Inability to organize can cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose belongings like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated as a result. They may also feel that they are not understood by family and friends. It is more difficult to organize during perimenopause and menopause when hormones shift and symptoms increase.
It is not uncommon for women to hide their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with society's norms and avoid being judged. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. This could be a reason for why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious.
In the end women who are not treated for ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This can impact their career, grades or overall reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal lives like issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with family and friends members.
Women with chronic disorganization could get help one-on-one from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach women how to stay organized by creating lists and setting reminders. A qualified mental health professional can recommend medication or lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause adverse effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with various 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 apply worst-case scenario thinking, where people interpret ambiguous situations as threatening. It has also been found to be correlated with the fear of being wrong, which could help explain why it's common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed they said they were not able to make choices about their personal and professional lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships, and had trouble finding an occupation they liked. They often had to wait for others to take decisions, or were unable to finish projects such as scheduling childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms, such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had difficulty finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which led to mental health problems. They reported having high levels of anxiety and stress, sleeping less and a poor diet. They also described feeling stigmatized by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial for self-esteem since it meant they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women had a number of positive characteristics but struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. This included a lack of career or romantic opportunities and difficulties in maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are considered to be less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for boys and men Some women choose to are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. Some women may take on the characteristics of ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). adhd traits in women can cause feelings of self-esteem issues that can cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - including relationships, careers as well as wealth and power - to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also lead to the lack of communication in a relationship.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women with ADHD frequently struggle with the feeling that they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can result in an unhealthy work environment and a negative image of the body and an addiction to food or other substances.
While these are serious issues, the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them say that they view their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they feel they can control it. Many of them also recognize their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD which include high energy, creativity determination, and the ability to be easily interested in new topics. They also talk about their individual struggles in the context of a larger picture that includes gender and biological distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.