ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. A lot of people do not easily fit into a binary sex. However, sex and gender can influence how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present 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 core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both men and women. Women may have a tougher focus, particularly since symptoms may manifest differently than they do in men.
Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They are also more likely to experience emotional stress and have difficulty putting things into perspective. These problems can create an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medication.
In addition to these inherent differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a bigger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, as well as hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can affect their brain's function.
In the end, women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships, at school as well as at work. They could also struggle with a myriad of co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
This is why it is crucial for health care professionals to recognize the many indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. This way, patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD tend to have difficulty managing their emotions, particularly when interacting with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble with friends and a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are thought to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is affected in people with ADHD. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and following through with their intentions. This could cause you to want to take a bite more cake or to make a rude comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medications that help them manage their impulses. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy may also be suggested, which can help people with ADHD modify their thinking patterns and develop better ways to cope with stress.
A good night's sleep, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can help control restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share this information with their physician to determine if the treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue for people suffering from ADHD, and can affect their personal and professional life. They may have difficulty to complete tasks and their productivity could be diminished. They might also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose possessions such as keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and alone. They can also feel misunderstood by family and friends. Disorganization can be worse in menopausal or perimenopausal women as hormones alter and symptoms increase.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. adhd in adult women treatment can also be a reason for why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD might have poor work or school performance. This can affect their work, grades or their overall image. It can also cause problems in their personal life including issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women who are chronically unorganized can benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental friend. They can teach women how to stay organized by making an agenda and setting reminders. A qualified mental health professional can also suggest medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can trigger side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that influences decision-making in a variety of areas of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret ambiguous circumstances as threat. It was also discovered to be linked to the fear of making a mistake which could be the reason people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd interviewed, they described not being capable of making decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They often had to wait for others to make decisions, or were unable to finish projects like arranging childcare. They often felt like they were held back by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsivity.
They had a difficult time finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which led to mental health issues. They reported high levels of anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by adults and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming themselves. adhd in young women provided them with access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews showed that the women had a lot of positive qualities, but they struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. The women complained of the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women may conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that these behaviors aren't as acceptable for men and boys. They may also be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can lead to lower self-esteem and could cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a prerequisite for healthier 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 - like relationships, careers wealth, power, and relationships - to feel worthy. adhd women uk , a licensed psychotherapist, says this can lead to an absence of communication within relationships.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD frequently struggle with the feeling that they don't have enough of the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with others. This can cause toxic workplaces as well as a negative self-image and a dependence on food or substances.
Despite these major challenges However, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects to living with ADHD. Most of them identify their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they feel they have control over it. Some of them have identified their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD. These include the ability to be creative, energetic and determination as well as the ability to quickly become interested in new subjects. They also discuss their unique struggles in the context of a larger picture that includes biological and gender distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.