ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. Many people don't fall into an unisexual sexuality. Genre and gender can influence the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of the early years of childhood, typically before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause difficulties in more than one environment to be able to receive an assessment.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have a difficult to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can manifest differently than males.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and indecisive, for example. They also are more likely to be emotionally triggered and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to an inability to perform at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with doctors.
In addition to these innate gender differences, hormones of women can make ADHD symptoms worse. The female hippocampus is larger which helps with learning and memory. Menstrual hormone fluctuations or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopausal cycles can affect brain function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They may also be struggling with a myriad of comorbid conditions, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is crucial that health care professionals recognize the many clues females with ADHD exhibit. They need to rethink their methods to diagnose and treat females with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is particularly true when they interact with other people. adult add women can cause to emotional dysregulation that is a component of ADHD symptoms. It can also be linked to negative life outcomes. This can include low self-esteem, coexisting depression and anxiety, problematic romantic relationships which can lead to conflicts between partners, problems with friendships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are perceived as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex is affected in people with ADHD. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and executing their intentions. This can make you want to take a bite more cake or to make an inappropriate comment.
For adults with ADHD medication can assist to increase their ability to control their behavior. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine are able to reduce impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. Patients with ADHD might also benefit from behavioral therapy, which can help them change their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping techniques.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can all be helpful in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It is important to track their symptoms throughout the day and communicate the information with their doctor so they can assess whether the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem for people suffering from ADHD and can have a negative impact on their work and personal lives. It could take them longer to complete tasks, and decrease their efficiency. They could also be late or overwhelmed each day.
A lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may miss important dates or misplace things like purses or keys. This can cause them to feel lonely and isolated. They can also feel misunderstood by their family and friends. The disorder is more prevalent during perimenopause or menopause when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to fit in with the norms of society and avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. This could be a reason why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly evident in adolescence when symptoms are more apparent.
As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This could negatively impact their job, grades or their image. It can also cause problems in their personal life including issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with friends and family members.
Women who are chronically unorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 support of a non-judgmental friend. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating an agenda and establishing reminders. A licensed mental health professional can also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can increase the negative effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that can affect decision-making in many areas of our lives. A variety of instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness has also been linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret uncertain situations as threat. 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 qualitative study on adult women with adhd interviewed the participants said they were not able to make decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They often waited for other people to decide or were unable complete projects on their own, for example, scheduling childcare. They often felt that they were being restricted by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsivity.
They had a difficult time keeping relationships and had trouble relaxing, leading to problems with their mental health. They reported anxiety and stress, sleeping insufficiently and having inadequate nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by adults and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD, which helped them boost their self-esteem as they weren't blaming others. They also had access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women were very positive, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. These included a lack romantic or career opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women can conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that their behavior is less acceptable for boys and men. They may also be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can result in low self-esteem, which could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a key factor in healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - like careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships - to feel worthy. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication within the relationship, which could eventually end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women with ADHD often have the feeling that they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can lead to toxic work cultures as well as a negative self-image and an addiction to substances or food.
While these are major challenges but the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them describe their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can manage it. Some have identified personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination and the ability to quickly become interested in new topics. They also describe their individual struggles as part of a larger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues as also gender and biological differences.