ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people don't belong to a sex binary. Genre and gender can influence how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in childhood, usually before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause difficulties in more than one setting to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and affects both genders. But women might have a harder time to achieve the focus they require, especially because symptoms often manifest in different ways for men.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on work, resulting in an inability to perform at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss appointments with their doctor.
In addition to these natural variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a larger hippocampus, which aids in learning and memory, as well as hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain's functioning.
This is why women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships, at school, and at work. They may also have a variety of comorbid disorders like anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
It is crucial that health professionals are aware of the many clues females with ADHD exhibit. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that affect the severity of symptoms. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with other people. This can cause to emotional dysregulation that is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative outcomes in life. These include low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also influence how women who suffer from ADHD will be treated. Because they are often considered to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they could be misinterpreted or dismissed as being emotionally prone. This can increase their frustration over being diagnosed with ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and executing their intentions. This could cause you to want to take a bite more cake or to make an inappropriate comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medication that helps them control their tendency to be impulsive. 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 as well. People with ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps them change their thinking patterns and develop better coping techniques.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help to control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and share the information with their doctor in order to assess whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for those suffering from ADHD and affect their work and personal lives. They may have difficulty to complete tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They may also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and alone. They can also feel misunderstood by family and friends. More methods can be worse during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones shift and symptoms intensify.
It is not uncommon for women to hide their ADHD symptoms to conform with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It could also be a reason why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence when symptoms are more obvious.
In the end women who are not treated for ADHD might have poor academic or work performance. This can affect their job, grades, or overall standing. This can also cause problems for their personal lives. For example it could lead to problems with their romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends.
adult add in women who are chronically disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 support of a non-judgmental person. They can help women learn to stay organized by creating an agenda and setting reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can recommend changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can worsen the negative effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of life. Indecisiveness can be measured using several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism, and the tendency to employ worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It has also been proven to be linked with a fear of being wrong, which could help explain why it's 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 work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding the job they wanted or to stay in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often had to wait for others to make decisions for them, or were unable to complete tasks such as arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or getting started on projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had a difficult time keeping friendships and had difficulty relaxing and recharging their mental health. They described high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by media and adults. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD and helped boost their self-esteem as they were not blaming themselves. They also had access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that the women were extremely positive and able to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. These included a lack of romantic or career opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. an unclean home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women can cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these behaviors aren't as acceptable than for men and boys. Women may take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can lead to low self-esteem, which could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things - including careers, relationships as well as wealth and power - to feel worthy. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication within relationships, which could ultimately end it.
Women suffering from ADHD might also feel they do not deserve good things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with other people. This can result in a toxic work culture and a negative image of the body and an addiction to foods or substances.
While these are major challenges however, the women who took part in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as positive or negative depending on how they feel about their ability to control it. Some of them have also identified personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination and the ability to quickly become fascinated by new subjects. They also discuss their unique struggles as part of a larger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.