ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. Many people don't fit neatly into the binary gender. However, sex and gender can affect the way symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one setting to be eligible for an assessment.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and affects both men and women. Women may have a harder focus, particularly since symptoms can manifest differently than 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 struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on work, resulting in a lack of productivity at work or home. They're also more likely miss doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications.
In addition to these inherent variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms worse. women and adhd of females is bigger which helps in memory and learning. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.
This is why women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They might also struggle with a variety of co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
For these reasons, it's critical for health professionals to be aware of the various clues that females with ADHD often exhibit. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. This way, patients can finally get the treatment they require.
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 major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also linked to negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, problems with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently perceived as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they may be misinterpreted or dismissed as overly emotional. This can exacerbate their frustrations about living with untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is affected in people with ADHD. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This could make you want to eat more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medication that helps to control their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. People suffering from ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them change their thinking patterns and develop more effective coping techniques.
A good night's sleep, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can also help in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this data with their doctor to determine if their treatment plan is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with ADHD and can impact their professional and personal lives. It may take longer to complete tasks and reduce their efficiency. They might also be late or overwhelmed each day.
A lack of organization can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They might miss important dates or misplace things like purses or keys. They may feel lonely and unloved because of this. They may also feel unloved by family members and friends. Disorganization can be worse during perimenopause and menopause as hormones alter and symptoms increase.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being judged. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It may also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This can impact their job, grades, or overall reputation. It can also create problems for their personal lives. For instance, it may lead to issues with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization could get help one-on-one by a non-judgmental therapist. They can provide strategies to get and stay organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and making reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may also suggest medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy and avoiding caffeine, which can increase the side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that influences decision-making across a wide range of aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret uncertain situations as being threat. It was also found to be linked to a fear of making a mistake which could be the reason people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed the participants said they were not in a position to make decisions about their personal and professional lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships and struggled to find an occupation they liked. They often had to wait for others to make decisions for them, or were unable complete projects like organizing childcare. They often felt like they were being restricted by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsivity.
They struggled to maintain relationships and had trouble relaxing, leading to problems with their mental health. They described having high levels of anxiety and stress as well as an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by other adults and by the media. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women had a number of positive characteristics, but they were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. This included a lack of romantic or career opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women can hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe that their behavior is less acceptable for boys and men. They also may take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can result in feelings of self-esteem issues that can cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a key factor in healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - like relationships, careers wealth, power, and relationships - to feel worthy. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication within the relationship, which could ultimately end it.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with other people. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment and a negative image of the body, and an addiction to foods or substances.
Despite these major issues, women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage according to how they feel about their ability to manage it. Several of them also identify personal strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD which include high energy, creativity determination, and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.