ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. A lot of people do not fall into an unisexual sex. However, gender and sex can affect how symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and can affect both men and women. Women may find it more challenging to attain the focus they require due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest in different ways in men.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They're also more likely to be emotionally triggered and struggle to put things into perspective. These problems can create an inability to focus on work, resulting in an inability to perform at work or home. They are also more likely to skip doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications.
The hormones of women along with these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships, at school as well as at work. They may also be struggling with a myriad of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
In these circumstances, it is essential for health professionals to recognize the many clues that females with ADHD often show. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other variables that affect the severity of symptoms. Patients can then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with other people. This can result in to emotional dysregulation that is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It is also linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression that coexist as well as problematic relationships with loved ones, which can lead to violence between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, inability to manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes can also affect how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently perceived as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they could be misunderstood or dismissed as being emotionally prone. This can increase their frustration about living with untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and executing their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat a second piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate statement in public.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from medication that helps to control their impulses. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. People suffering from ADHD might also benefit from behavioral therapy, which helps them change their mental patterns and develop better coping techniques.
Sleeping enough, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can also help to control restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It is also a good idea to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and to share the information with their doctor to assess whether their treatment plan is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem in people with ADHD, and can affect their professional and personal lives. It can take longer to complete their tasks and reduce their productivity. They may also be late or overwhelmed every day.
Insanity can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and alone. Friends and family members may misunderstand them. Disorders are more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It could also be a reason for why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more evident.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may not perform as well at school or at work. This can have a negative impact on their work, grades, or reputation. It can also cause problems in their personal life including issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends members.
Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. They can teach them strategies to get and stay organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional could recommend medication or lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can increase side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of daily life. Indecisiveness is measured by various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as potentially dangerous. It was also found to be linked to the fear of making a mistake, which could explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of women who have adhd in their adult lives the participants described being incapable of making decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships, and had difficulty finding jobs they enjoyed. They frequently had to wait for others to make decisions or were unable to complete projects on their own, for example, arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects were preventing them from progressing.
They struggled to maintain friendships and had difficulty relaxing and recharging their mental health. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety as well as an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-esteem since it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic and able to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. This included a lack of career or romantic opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Self-esteem issues
Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe these behaviors aren't as acceptable than for men and boys. Women might take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in feelings of self-esteem loss that contribute to anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
Recommended Resource site of inner worth is the foundation for better relationships and a positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - including careers, relationships as well as wealth and power to feel worthy. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in a lack of communication in relationships, which could ultimately end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women with ADHD often struggle with the feeling that they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with other people. This can cause toxic workplaces as well as a negative self-image and a dependence on substances or food.
Despite these challenges the women who participated in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. They generally identify their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they have control over it. Some of them have identified personal strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination as well as the ability to effortlessly become interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues as in addition to gender and biological differences.