ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't fall into a binary of sex. However, gender and sex can influence how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before the age of 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and can affect both genders. However, women may find it more challenging to get the focus they need due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest differently in men.
Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They're also more likely to experience emotional stress and have trouble putting things into perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus, which can lead to a lack productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with doctors.
Women's hormones along with these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain's function.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also struggle with a variety of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for health care professionals to be aware of the various clues that females with ADHD often show. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that influence the severity of symptoms. In this way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can result in to emotional dysregulation, which is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It can also be associated with negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression as well as problematic relationships with loved ones that can result in violence between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently viewed as more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as being emotionally prone. This can increase their frustration over living with 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 are more prone to making decisions and executing in their intentions. This could cause you to want to take a bite more cake or to make a snide comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medications that help to control their tendency to be impulsive. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce the impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medications such as clonidine and guanfacine can be effective as well. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will aid people suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn healthier coping skills.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough rest can all help to control restlessness and impulsiveness in people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and share the information with their doctor to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for people suffering from ADHD and impact their personal and professional lives. It could take them longer to complete their tasks and reduce their efficiency. They might also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.
An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and alone. Friends and family members may be confused about them. Disorganization is more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.
adhd in older women cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It could also be a reason for why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women who are not treated for ADHD might have a poor performance at work or in school. This can affect their work, grades or overall reputation. It can also create problems in their personal lives like issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can help them learn strategies to keep their lives organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and making reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional can recommend medication or lifestyle changes that will help minimize ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can worsen the adverse effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that affects decision making in a variety of areas of our lives. Several instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, in which people perceive ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be linked to the fear of making a mistake which could explain why people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed they said they were not capable of making choices about their professional and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or to stay in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable complete projects themselves, such as organizing childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had a difficult time relaxing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health issues. They reported having high levels of anxiety and stress and a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by media and adults. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD and helped boost their self-esteem as they were not blaming themselves. They also had access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews showed that the women had many positive qualities, but they were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. This included a lack of career or romantic opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. an unclean home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Some of the signs that make up ADHD are seen as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for males and females, so some women conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD may take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in lower self-esteem and could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek external things - such as relationships, careers, wealth, and power - to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also lead to an absence of communication within a relationship.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often struggle with feeling like they don't deserve the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire for others to "keep up" or to please. This can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and an addiction to food or substances.
Despite these major challenges However, the women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the way they perceive their ability to manage it. A few of them also point out their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy determination and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. They also describe their individual struggles in the context of a larger picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well cultural and family issues.