ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people do not fit neatly into an unisexual gender. However, sex and gender can affect how symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is diagnosed in childhood, usually before age 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be eligible for the diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD, and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have a difficult focus, particularly since symptoms may manifest differently than males.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They also are more likely to become emotional and have trouble putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on work, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or home. They're also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medications.
Women's hormones, in addition to these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, and hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain function.
In the end, women with undiagnosed ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in their relationships and at work. They may also be struggling with a host of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is essential that health professionals are aware of the many clues females with ADHD display. They must recalibrate their approaches for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD to recognize hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. This way, patients will receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life outcomes. These include low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friends as well as a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also affect how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are perceived as more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can exacerbate their frustrations about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they are more prone to making decisions and sticking in their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults suffering from ADHD may 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 too. People suffering from ADHD may also benefit from behavioral therapy, which can help them change their mental patterns and develop healthier coping techniques.
Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and practicing meditation can also help to control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from ADHD, and can affect their work and personal lives. It could take them longer to complete tasks, and reduce their productivity. They might also miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Insanity can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose possessions such as keys or purses. In the end, they might feel isolated and lonely. Friends and family may confuse them. The disorder is more prevalent during perimenopause or menopause when hormones change and symptoms increase.
It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to conform with the norms of society and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It can also be a reason for why girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence when symptoms become more apparent.
As adhd symptoms in women test who are not treated for ADHD might have poor work or school performance. This can affect their job, grades or reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal lives including issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with family members and friends members.
Women with chronic disorganization could receive one-on-one assistance from a nonjudgmental support person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by making a list and establishing reminders. A qualified mental health professional may also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that will help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine, which can cause adverse effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness has also been linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It has also been proven to be correlated with the fear of being wrong, which could be the reason why it is common for people with adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd, interviewees reported being incapable of making decisions in their personal and professional lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships, and had difficulty finding an occupation they liked. They often had to wait for others to make decisions for them, or were unable to complete tasks such as arranging childcare. They often felt they were being held back by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsive.
They struggled to maintain relationships and had trouble relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They described high levels of stress and anxiety, a sleeping insufficiently and having poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by the media and adults. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD and helped improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming others. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews showed that the women had a number of positive characteristics however, they were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their life. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women may hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe that these behaviors aren't as acceptable than for men and boys. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can result in lower self-esteem and could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a prerequisite for better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships, money, and power. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication within a relationship, which can eventually end it.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often have a feeling that they don't deserve the good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or to "keep up" with others. This can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and an addiction of substances or food.
Despite these significant challenges the women who participated in this study discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either a blessing or a curse according to how they feel about their ability to control it. A few of them also point out personal strengths they believe are due to their ADHD such as high energy, creativity, determination, and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their own struggles within the context of the larger picture, which includes biological and gender differences, as well cultural and family issues.