ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people do not fall into a binary of sex. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. Learn Alot more Here must show signs before 12 years of age and cause problems in more than one environment to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. However, women may have more difficulty to get the attention they require, especially because symptoms often appear in different ways than for men.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization, for example. They also are more likely to be emotionally triggered and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These problems can create an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or home. They're also more likely to miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
The hormones that women experience, in addition to these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which aids in learning and memory, as well as hormone changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can affect their brain function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships, at school, and at work. They could also be suffering from multiple comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
In these circumstances, it is essential for health professionals to be aware of the various clues that females with ADHD often exhibit. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. The patients will then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, particularly when interacting with others. This can cause to emotional dysregulation that is a component of ADHD symptoms. It can also be associated with negative outcomes in life. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble with friends, a messy house or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also affect how women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are thought to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can increase their frustration in living with untreated ADHD.
People with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have more trouble making decisions and following through with their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or to make an inappropriate comment in public.
For adults with ADHD medications can help to enhance their ability to control their behavior. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can be effective as well. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will help people with ADHD modify their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping skills.
A good night's sleep and eating a balanced diet, and practicing meditation can also help in reducing impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this data with their doctor to assess whether the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their work and personal lives. It can take longer to complete tasks and decrease their productivity. They could also miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may not remember important dates or even lose items like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel isolated and lonely. They may also feel that they are not understood by family and friends. Disorders are more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.
It is not unusual for women to hide their ADHD symptoms to fit in with society's norms and avoid being judged. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. This could be a reason why girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence when symptoms are more evident.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may not perform as well at work or in school. This can impact their career, grades or their overall image. It can also cause problems in their personal life like issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women with chronic disorganization can receive one-on-one assistance by a non-judgmental therapist. They can help them learn strategies to get and stay organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can recommend medications and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine, which can cause adverse effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of daily life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. add symptoms in women can also be linked to neuroticism and with the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as threatening. It has also been proven to be correlated with anxiety about being wrong, which could be the reason why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd interviewed they said they were not capable of making decisions about their professional and personal lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships, and had difficulty finding a job that they liked. They often waited for other people to decide or were unable to complete tasks on their own, like scheduling childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or getting started on projects was preventing them from completing.
They had a difficult time keeping friendships and had difficulty relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a sleeping insufficiently and having poor nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their struggles which was beneficial for self-esteem because it meant they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that the women were extremely positive, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Some of the signs that make up ADHD are viewed as less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for males and females Some women choose to hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disorganization. Women may internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in lower self-esteem and could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the basis for more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look outside themselves for validation, like relationships, careers money, power, and relationships. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also lead to a lack in communication within a relationship.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, those with ADHD frequently struggle with feeling like they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to toxic work cultures as well as a negative self-image and an addiction of substances or food.
Despite these significant issues the women who participated in this study discovered a number of 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 believe they can manage it. Many of them also recognize personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to be easily interested in new topics. They also discuss their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as also gender and biological differences.