ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. A lot of people do not fall into an unisexual sex. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of childhood, usually before age 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple settings to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is an issue for everyone. But women may find it more challenging to attain the focus they need due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest differently for men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They are also more likely to be emotionally triggered and struggle to put things into perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate and can result in an inability to perform at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss appointments with their doctor.
In addition to these innate differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, and hormone changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's functioning.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school and at work. They could also be suffering from various comorbidities like anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
It is crucial that health care professionals recognize the numerous signs that females with ADHD display. They should rethink their strategies to diagnose and treat females with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. This way, patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD tend to have difficulty managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can result in emotional dysregulation, which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life results. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression that coexist, problematic romantic relationships which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with friendships, a messy house or personal space, an inability manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can increase their frustration in being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from medication that helps to control their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like the guanfacine and clonidine are effective as well. Behavioral therapy can also be suggested, which can help people with ADHD modify their thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stress.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can all help to control anxiety and impulsiveness among people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and then share the information with their doctor in order to assess whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their work and personal lives. They may find it difficult to complete tasks, and their productivity may be diminished. They could also fail to meet deadlines and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might miss important dates or misplace things like purses or keys. They may feel lonely and unloved because of this. Friends and family may misunderstand them. The disorder is more prevalent during perimenopause or menopause when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.
It is not unusual for women to hide their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with the norms of society and avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It may also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially true in adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women who are not treated for ADHD might have a poor performance at work or in school. This could have a negative impact on their job, grades or reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal life including issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating lists and establishing reminders. A qualified mental health professional could also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can increase the adverse effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of 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 is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to apply worst case scenario thinking, which is where people perceive ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also found to be related to the fear of making a mistake, which could help explain why people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd, interviewees said they were unable to make decisions in their personal and professional lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships, and struggled to find a job that they liked. They often had to wait for others to make decisions or were unable to complete projects on their own, for example, arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or starting projects were holding them back.
They had a difficult time keeping friendships and were unable to relax and recharging their mental health. adhd in older women reported anxiety and stress, lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by media and adults. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD which helped them increase their self-esteem since they were not blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that the women were very optimistic however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the signs that are a part of ADHD are seen as less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for males and females Some women choose to are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. Some women may internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can cause 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 are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships as well as money and power. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication in a relationship, which can ultimately end it.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD often have the feeling that they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can result in an unhealthy work environment and a negative image of the body and a dependence on food or substances.
Despite these challenges, women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage according to the way they perceive their ability to manage it. Some of them have also identified strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination and the ability to quickly become interested in new topics. They also describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues as well as biological and gender differences.