ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. A lot of people do not fit neatly into the binary sex. Sexe and gender can affect the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of childhood, usually before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause difficulties in multiple settings to qualify for an assessment.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. Women may have a difficult to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can appear differently than in men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely to experience emotional stress and struggle to put things into perspective. These problems can lead to an inability of concentration which can lead to an absence of productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medication.
In addition to these innate variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, and hormonal changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain's functioning.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school and at work. They might also struggle with a myriad of co-occurring conditions, such as 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 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 can influence symptom severity. In this way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. adhd in women treatment is especially the case when they are interacting with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life consequences. This can include low self-esteem, coexisting depression and anxiety as well as problematic relationships with loved ones, which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with friendships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can also influence how women with ADHD will be treated. Because they are frequently considered to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they can be misinterpreted or dismissed as overly emotional. This can lead to their frustration over living with untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medication that helps to control their impulsivity. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Nonstimulants like clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy can also be advised, which will help people with ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.
Sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and share this data with their doctor so they can assess whether their treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for people with ADHD and can affect their professional and personal life. It can take them longer to complete their tasks and decrease their efficiency. They may also miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Insanity can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose belongings like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved as a result. They can also feel misunderstood by family members and friends. It is more difficult to organize during perimenopause and menopause when hormones shift and symptoms become more severe.
It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to conform with societal norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. This could be a reason why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more apparent.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may not perform as well at school or at work. This could have a negative impact on their work, grades, or even their reputation. This can also cause problems in their personal lives. For instance, it may lead to problems with their relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help from a nonjudgmental support person. They can help women learn to stay organized by creating an agenda and establishing reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional may recommend medications and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can increase the negative effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of daily life. Indecisiveness can be measured using 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 threatening. It has also been proven to be associated with the fear of being wrong, which may be the reason why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women suffering from adhd participants, they reported being not able to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or to stay in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often were dependent on others to take decisions, or were unable to complete tasks like organizing childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms like the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects was preventing them from completing.
They had difficulty in establishing and maintaining friendships which led to mental health issues. They described anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by their peers and the media. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming others. It also provided them with access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women can hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable than for men and boys. They also may be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues that can cause anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the foundation for better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for external things - such as careers, relationships as well as wealth and power to feel a sense of worthiness. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also result in a lack in communication within the relationship.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often struggle with feeling like they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with others. This can result in an unhealthy work environment, a negative body image, and an addiction to foods or substances.
Despite these major challenges, women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. The majority of them describe their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they feel they have control over it. undiagnosed adhd in women have identified strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to easily get interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as well as biological and gender differences.