ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people do not easily fit into the binary gender. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in early childhood, typically before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause problems in more than one setting to be eligible for the diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both men and women. But women may find it more challenging to attain the focus they require particularly since symptoms typically appear in different ways than for men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, as an example. They also are more likely to become emotional and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with their doctor.
The hormones that women experience as well as these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which aids in learning and memory, and hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in their relationships and at work. They might also suffer from a variety of comorbid disorders, such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
For these reasons, it is essential for health care professionals to recognize the many clues that females with ADHD frequently exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations, and other factors that affect the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients will receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are often unable to managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can result in to emotional dysregulation that is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. add in adult women include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friends as well as a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact the way women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are perceived as more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated at living with untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means that they have a difficult time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This can make you want to indulge in more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medication that helps them control their impulses. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine can reduce impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Patients with ADHD might also benefit from behavioral therapy, which can help them change their mental patterns and develop more effective methods of coping.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control restlessness and impulsiveness in people suffering from ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and to share this information with their doctor in order to assess whether their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for those suffering from ADHD and can affect their personal and professional lives. It can take them longer to complete their tasks and decrease their efficiency. They may also be late and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
An absence of organization could cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose possessions such as keys or purses. This can cause them to feel isolated and lonely. They can also feel misunderstood by family members and friends. Disorganization can be worse in menopausal or perimenopausal women when hormones shift and symptoms intensify.
It is not uncommon for women to hide their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with the norms of society and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It can also be the reason girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD particularly during adolescence, when symptoms become more apparent.
Women with untreated ADHD may not perform as well at school or at work. This can affect their work, grades or overall standing. It can also create problems for their personal life. For example it could lead to issues with romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 support of a non-judgmental person. They can provide strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional could also recommend medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine which can trigger side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that affects decision making across a wide range of aspects of life. 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 with the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as potentially dangerous. It has also been found to be correlated with the fear of being wrong, which may be the reason why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd interviewed, they described not being capable of making decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They found it hard 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 finish projects on their own, for example, arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects was preventing them from completing.
they said had difficulty finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive, which led to mental health issues. They reported stress and anxiety, a sleeping insufficiently and having poor nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by other adults and by the media. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD and helped improve their self-esteem because they were not blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women had a lot of positive qualities but struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their life. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Certain of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are considered to be less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for men and boys and so women may are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. They may also be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can result in low self-esteem, which could cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the basis for more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth tend to look outside themselves to find validation, including careers, relationships, money, and power. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in a relationship, which can eventually end it.
Women with ADHD may also feel that they do not deserve good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment and a negative image of the body and a dependence on food or other substances.
Despite these challenges However, the women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either a blessing or a curse according to how they feel about their ability to manage it. Some have identified strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to easily get fascinated by new subjects. They also discuss their individual struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well cultural and family issues.