ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people do not fit into a sex binary. However, sex and gender influence the way symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause difficulties in multiple settings to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD, and it's an issue for everyone. Women may have a difficult to concentrate, particularly because symptoms may manifest differently than they do in men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability of concentration and can result in an absence of productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with doctors.
In addition to these innate variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, and hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain's function.
This is why women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in their relationships, and at work. They could also be suffering from multiple comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
In these circumstances, it's critical for health care professionals to be aware of the various indications that females with ADHD often show. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other variables that can influence symptom severity. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can lead emotional dysregulation which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative outcomes in life. These include low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friends and a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is affected in people with ADHD. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and executing their intentions. This could cause you to want to indulge in more cake or make a rude comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medication that helps them manage their tendency to be impulsive. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. People with ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which can help to change their thinking patterns and develop more effective strategies for coping.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It is also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and share this information with their doctor in order to assess whether their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with ADHD and can have a negative impact on their personal and professional life. It can take longer to complete tasks and reduce their efficiency. They may also be late or overwhelmed each day.
Inability to organize can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose belongings like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and isolated. They may also feel that they are not understood by family members and friends. Disorders are more common during perimenopause or menopause when hormones are changing and symptoms become more severe.
It is not unusual for women to mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with societal norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It may also be the reason women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
As a result women who are not treated for ADHD might experience poor work or school performance. This could affect their work, grades or overall reputation. It can also cause problems in their personal life like issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with family and friends members.
Women who are chronically disorganized can receive one-on-one assistance from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can help women learn to stay organized by making a list and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional could also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that affects decision making across a wide range of aspects of our lives. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret ambiguous circumstances as threatening. It is also believed to be associated with the fear of being wrong, which could be the reason why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd that were interviewed, they described not being in a position to make choices about their personal and professional lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships and struggled to find a job that they liked. They often waited for other people to make decisions or were unable to finish projects themselves, such as arranging childcare. adhd women uk felt that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects were holding them back.
They struggled to keep friendships and had difficulty relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They reported stress and anxiety, as well as a sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties, which was helpful for self-image because it meant they weren't blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews showed that the women had a lot of positive qualities but were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. These included a lack career or romantic opportunities and difficulties in maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women might hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe that their behavior is less acceptable for men and boys. They also may internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can cause low self-esteem, which could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the foundation for better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things - including careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships - to feel worthy. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication within the relationship, which could eventually end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women with ADHD frequently struggle with a feeling that they don't have enough of the good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with others. This can result in a toxic work culture, a negative body image, and an addiction to food or other substances.
Despite these challenges the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage according to the way they perceive their ability to manage it. Some of them have identified their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD. These include the ability to be creative, energetic and determination, as well as the ability to quickly become fascinated by new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues as in addition to gender and biological differences.
