ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. Many people do not fit neatly into a binary sexuality. However, sex and gender influence the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in multiple settings to qualify for the diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the core of ADHD and it's an issue for everyone. Women may find it more challenging to get the focus they require due to the fact that symptoms usually appear in different ways than in men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus on work, resulting in a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss doctor's appointments.
In addition to these innate variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms more severe. The hippocampus of females is larger, which aids in learning and memory. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause may also influence brain function.
add symptoms in adult women is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in their relationships and at work. They may also have multiple comorbid disorders including anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
It is essential that health professionals are aware of the numerous signs that females with ADHD display. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD in order to account for emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they interact with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a key component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. These include poor self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friends as well as a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also influence the way women with ADHD will be treated. They might be misunderstood since they are perceived as more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can lead to their frustration at being diagnosed with ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD have impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have more trouble making decisions and executing with their goals. This can make it hard to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or to make an inappropriate statement in public.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medication that helps to control their impulses. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like the guanfacine and clonidine are effective too. People suffering from ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps to change their thinking patterns and develop better strategies for coping.
Sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help to control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day, and share the information with their doctor to determine whether their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue in people with ADHD and can impact their professional and personal lives. It could take them longer to complete tasks, and decrease their productivity. They may also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.
Insanity can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might not remember important dates or even lose things like purses or keys. They might feel lonely and isolated as a result. They may also feel unloved by family and friends. Disorganization is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms increase.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It may be a reason for why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly true in adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
In the end, women with untreated ADHD might experience poor work or school performance. This can impact their career, grades or overall reputation. It can also create problems in their personal life like issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women who are constantly disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can teach women how to stay organized by creating an agenda and setting reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest changes in lifestyle and medications to help minimize ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can increase the side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of life. Indecisiveness is measured by various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness has also been linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret uncertain situations as threatening. It has also been proven to be associated with a fear of being wrong, which could be the reason why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed the participants said they were not capable of making choices about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find an occupation they enjoyed or to stay in, and found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They often had to wait for others to make decisions for them, or were unable to complete tasks such as organizing childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had trouble finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive, which led to mental health problems. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety and an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-image because it meant they weren't blamed for their condition. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that the women were extremely positive however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. The women reported the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are considered to be less acceptable socially for women and girls than they are for males and females Some women choose to conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as 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 foundation for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth, they tend to seek external things - such as careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships - to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also result in the lack of communication in relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to toxic work cultures, a negative self-image, and an addiction to substances or food.
Despite these major issues the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. Most of them describe their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they feel they can control it. signs and symptoms of adhd in women of them also identify personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD which include high energy, creativity determination and the ability to become easily interested in new subjects. They also talk about their own struggles within the context of a larger picture that includes biological and gender distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.