ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. A lot of people do not fall into a binary sex. However, gender and sex influence the way symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to qualify for a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD, and it's an issue for everyone. Women may have a harder time focusing, especially since symptoms may manifest differently than males.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to an inability to perform at work or at home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with doctors.
In addition to these inherent variations, hormones in women can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. The hippocampus of females is larger, which aids in memory and learning. Menstrual hormone fluctuations as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also influence brain function.
In the end, women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in their relationships, and at work. They might also struggle with a myriad of co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
It is important that health care professionals recognize the numerous signs that females with ADHD display. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. This can include low self-esteem, anxiety and depression that coexist as well as problematic relationships with loved ones, which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes may also impact the way women with ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are perceived as more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can lead to their frustration in living with untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and following through with their intentions. This could make you want to take a bite more cake or to make a rude comment.
For those who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to enhance their ability to control their impulses. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help reduce impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medicines like clonidine and guanfacine can be effective as well. People with ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which can help to change their thinking patterns and develop better strategies for coping.
Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and practicing meditation can also help to control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and to share this information with their physician to determine whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for those suffering from ADHD and affect their personal and professional lives. It could take them longer to complete tasks, and decrease their efficiency. They might also miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important dates or lose things like purses or keys. They might feel lonely and unloved due to this. They may also feel unloved by their family and friends. Disorganization can be worse during perimenopause and menopause as hormones alter and symptoms intensify.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. This could also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women with untreated ADHD might have a poor performance at school or at work. This can affect their job, grades or their image. It can also create problems in their personal life including issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with friends and family members.
Women with chronic disorganization can get help one-on-one from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach them strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and setting reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional may recommend medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that can affect decision-making in a variety of areas of our lives. Indecisiveness is measured by various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret ambiguous circumstances as threat. It is also believed to be linked with the fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it is common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women suffering from adhd the participants reported being unable to make decisions in their personal and professional lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had trouble finding a job that they liked. They frequently had to wait for others to make decisions or were unable complete tasks on their own, like organizing childcare. They often felt that they were held back by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsivity.
They struggled to maintain friendships and had difficulty relaxing, leading to problems with their mental health. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a sleeping insufficiently and having inadequate nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by adults and the media. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming themselves. It also gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. These included a lack of possibilities for romance or work as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. an unclean home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women can conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe these symptoms are less acceptable than for boys and men. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can cause lower self-esteem and could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - including careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships to feel worthy. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication within a relationship, which can ultimately end it.
In adhd traits in women to a lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD frequently struggle with a feeling that they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with other people. This can lead to a toxic work culture and a negative image of the body, and an addiction to food or other substances.
Despite these major challenges the women who participated in this study discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them say that they view their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they feel they can control it. A few of them also point out their own strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD such as high energy, creativity determination and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. They also talk about their individual struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well cultural and family issues.