ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. A lot of people do not fit neatly into a binary gender. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms 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 age 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be eligible for an assessment.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and can affect both genders. But women might have a harder time to achieve the focus they need due to the fact that symptoms usually appear in different ways than in men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or at home. They're also more likely skip doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications.
In addition to these inherent gender differences, hormones of women can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. The hippocampus of females is bigger which helps with memory and learning. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also influence brain function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They could also be suffering from various comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for health professionals to recognize the many indicators that females suffering from ADHD often exhibit. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that can influence symptom severity. Patients can then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation, which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life consequences. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friends and a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are often perceived as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. This can increase their frustration at being a victim of untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD have impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have a difficult time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This makes it difficult 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 medications that help them manage their impulses. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine may reduce impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. People with ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps them alter their thinking patterns and develop healthier methods of coping.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing anxiety and impulsiveness among people suffering from ADHD. It is important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and communicate this information with their physician to determine if the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for people with ADHD and impact their professional and personal life. It could take them longer to complete their tasks and reduce their efficiency. They could also be late and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and alone. Friends and family members may misunderstand them. The disorder is more prevalent during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It may be a reason for why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially true in adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have poor performance at work or in school. This can have a negative impact on their job, grades or even their reputation. This could also cause issues for their personal life. For example, it may lead to issues with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization could benefit from one-on-one help by a non-judgmental therapist. They can teach them strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest medications and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can trigger side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that influences decision-making in many areas of our lives. Several instruments have been developed to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret ambiguous situations as threatening. It has also been found to be correlated with anxiety about being wrong, which may help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd the participants described being not able to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships, and struggled to find jobs they enjoyed. They often were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable to complete tasks on their own, like scheduling childcare. They often felt like they were held back by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsivity.
They struggled to keep friendships and were unable to relax, leading to problems with their mental health. Highly recommended Resource site reported high levels of anxiety and stress, lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their struggles which was beneficial for self-image because it meant they were not blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that the women had a number of positive characteristics however, they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their life. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women may hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe their behavior is less acceptable than for boys and men. Women may internalize their ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss that contribute to depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships money, power, and relationships. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication within the relationship, which could eventually end it.
Women who suffer 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 lead to an unhealthy work environment, a negative body image, and an addiction to food or substances.
Despite these significant challenges the women who participated in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either a blessing or a curse depending on the way they perceive their ability to control it. Some have identified their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination and the ability to quickly become interested in new topics. They also describe their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes family and cultural issues, as also gender and biological differences.