ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. A lot of people do not fit neatly into an unisexual sexuality. However, sex and gender can affect the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before age 12. The symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in multiple settings to be able to receive the diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is the core of ADHD and it's a problem for all genders. However, women may find it more challenging to attain the focus they require due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest differently in men.
Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These problems can create an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss appointments with doctors.
Women's hormones, in addition to these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is bigger which helps with learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause may also affect brain function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They might also struggle with a host of comorbid conditions, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is important that health professionals understand the numerous signs that females with ADHD show. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other variables that affect the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients can finally get 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 result in emotional dysregulation which is a key component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. These include poor self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friends as well as a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are perceived as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can increase their frustration at living with 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 executing in their intentions. This could make you want to indulge in more cake or make a snide comment.
For people who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to improve their ability to control their impulsivity. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medications such as Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective as well. People with ADHD may also benefit from behavioral therapy, which helps them change their thinking patterns and develop better methods of coping.
Meditation and 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 keep track their symptoms throughout the day, and share this information with their doctor to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people with ADHD and affect their personal and professional lives. It could take longer to complete their tasks and decrease their efficiency. They might also be late and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important dates or lose items like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and alone. They can also feel misunderstood by their family and friends. The disorder can become more severe during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones shift and symptoms intensify.
It is not unusual for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform with societal norms and avoid being judged. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It could also be a reason for why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD especially during adolescence, when symptoms become more apparent.
As a result, women with untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This can affect their job, grades or their image. It could also cause issues in their personal lives like issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with family and friends members.
Women with chronic disorganization could receive one-on-one assistance from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can help women learn to stay organized by creating an agenda and establishing reminders. A licensed mental health professional may also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can cause adverse effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of daily life. A variety of instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is because people perceive ambiguous situations as threat. It has also been proven to be linked with the fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd, interviewees reported being unable to make decisions in their personal and professional lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often were dependent on others to make decisions for them, or were unable to finish projects like scheduling childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects were holding them back.
They had a difficult time finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive, which led to mental health problems. They described high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-image because it meant they were not blamed for their own problems. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that the women were very positive and able to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. The women reported an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are seen as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for males and females and so women may conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. Women might take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues that contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the precursor to better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - like relationships, careers as well as wealth and power - to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also lead to a lack in communication within a relationship.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel they don't deserve the best things in their lives. adhd in women treatment may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with others. This can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and an addiction of substances or food.
Despite these major challenges, women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage according to how they feel about their ability to control it. Some of them have identified their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination and the ability to effortlessly become interested in new topics. In addition, they describe their unique struggles as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as well as biological and gender differences.