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 as well as hormones. Many people do not fit neatly into the binary sex. However, gender and sex can affect how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one environment to qualify for an assessment.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the core of ADHD and is an issue for everyone. Women may have a harder to concentrate, particularly because symptoms may 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 have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on work, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or at home. They are also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or neglect to take their medications.
The hormones of women, in addition to these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, as well as hormone changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's functioning.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school and at work. They may also have a variety of comorbid disorders like anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
This is why it's critical for health professionals to recognize the many indicators that females suffering from ADHD frequently exhibit. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. The patients will then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD are more likely to have trouble managing their emotions, particularly when interacting with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation, which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life consequences. These include low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friends, a messy house or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are thought to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they are more prone to making decisions and following through in their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medication that helps to control their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medicines like the guanfacine and clonidine are effective as well. Behavioral therapy can also be advised, which will aid people suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping skills.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough sleep can all help control restlessness and impulsiveness in people with ADHD. It is important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and communicate the information with their doctor so they can assess whether their treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for people with ADHD and impact their professional and personal life. It may take them longer to complete tasks, and reduce their efficiency. They might also be late and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose belongings like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and unloved as a result. They may also feel unloved by family and friends. It is more difficult to organize in menopausal or perimenopausal women when hormones shift and symptoms increase.
It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with the norms of society and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. This could be a reason why girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD particularly during adolescence, when symptoms become more apparent.
Women with untreated ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This can impact their work, grades or their overall image. It can also create problems in their personal lives, such as difficulties with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with friends and family members.
Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach them strategies to remain organized, for example, making a list of daily tasks and making reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may recommend medication or lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause an increase in the 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 linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret uncertain situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be linked to a fear of making a mistake, which could help explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed, they described not being capable of making decisions about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find a job they liked or to stay in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They frequently waited for other people to make decisions or were unable to complete projects themselves, such as scheduling childcare. They often felt they were restricted 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. They reported having high levels of stress and anxiety, an inability to sleep and a poor diet. They also expressed feeling slighted by media and adults. adhd traits in women of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles which was beneficial for self-image because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. It also provided them with access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women were very positive however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Self-esteem issues
Some of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for males and females Some women choose to are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. Some women may take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can cause low self-esteem, which can contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a prerequisite for better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - including careers, relationships, wealth, and power to feel a sense of worthiness. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can lead to the lack of communication in the relationship.
Women suffering from ADHD might also feel they are not worthy of good things in their lives. These feelings may 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 substance or food.
Despite these major difficulties, women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally say that they view their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they feel they can manage it. Some of them have identified their own strengths that they believe are partially due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to effortlessly become fascinated by new subjects. They also talk about their unique struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well cultural and family issues.