ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. Many people do not easily fit into an unisexual gender. However, sex and gender influence how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple environments to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and affects both men and women. Women may have a tougher focus, particularly since symptoms can appear differently than males.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability to focus, which can lead to a lack productivity at home or work. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with their doctor.
In addition to these innate differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is bigger, which aids in memory and learning. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal cycles can influence brain function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school and at work. They might also struggle with a myriad of comorbid disorders, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is crucial that health professionals understand the many signs females suffering from ADHD exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that affect the severity of symptoms. The patients will then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially the case when they interact with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. These include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friends and a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are perceived as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can lead to their frustration at being diagnosed with ADHD.
People with ADHD have impaired impulse control which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have more trouble making decisions and executing in their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or make an inappropriate statement in public.
For adults with ADHD, medication can help to increase 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 Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective too. Behavioral therapy may also be recommended, which can help people with ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop more effective ways of coping.
Meditation and 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 track their symptoms throughout the day and share this data with their doctor so they can assess whether their treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for people with ADHD and can affect their work and personal lives. It may take them longer to complete tasks, and decrease their productivity. They might also be late and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
A lack of organization can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved because of this. Friends and family may be confused about them. It is more difficult to organize during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles as hormones alter and symptoms increase.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It may be a reason for why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious.
As a result, women with untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This can impact their job, grades, or overall standing. It can also create problems in their personal life including issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with friends and family members.
Women who are chronically unorganized can benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental friend. They can teach them strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making lists of daily tasks and making reminders for them. adhd women test qualified mental health professional could recommend medication or lifestyle changes to aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can cause adverse effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that can affect decision-making in many areas of our lives. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret uncertain situations as potentially dangerous. It was also found to be associated with the fear of making a mistake, which could explain why people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd that were interviewed they said they were not capable of making choices about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or to stay in, and were difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They often had to wait for others to make decisions for them, or were unable to finish projects such as arranging childcare. They often felt that they were hindered by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsivity.
They struggled to maintain friendships and had difficulty relaxing, leading to problems with their mental health. They reported having high levels of stress and anxiety and a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles, which was helpful for self-esteem since it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that the women had a lot of positive qualities, but they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women may conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable than for men and boys. Women might take on the characteristics of ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can cause feelings of low self-esteem which can lead to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the basis for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves to find validation, including jobs, relationships as well as money and power. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can result in a lack of communication in the relationship, which could eventually end it.
Women with ADHD might also feel they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings can 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 substances.
While these are major challenges however, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the way they perceive their ability to control it. A few of them also point out their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD, including high energy, creativity determination and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.