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 don't belong to a sex binary. However, gender and sex can influence the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of the early years of childhood, typically 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 can affect both women and men. Women may have a difficult focus, particularly since symptoms can manifest differently than 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 issues can cause an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip doctor's appointments.
In addition to these innate variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a bigger hippocampus that aids in memory and learning, and hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's functioning.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in relationships as well as at work. They might also suffer from multiple comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
For these reasons, it is crucial for health professionals to be aware of the numerous indicators that females suffering from ADHD frequently exhibit. 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 influence the severity of symptoms. In this way, these patients can finally get the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a key element of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life consequences. 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 house or personal space, inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can also influence how women with ADHD are treated. Because they are typically perceived as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they could be misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can lead to their frustration over being a victim of untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medication that helps them control their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medications such as clonidine and guanfacine can be efficient too. Behavioral therapy may also be advised, which will help people with ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop better ways to cope with stress.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all help control restlessness and impulsiveness in people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day, and then share this information with their doctor to determine whether their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for those suffering from ADHD and can affect their professional and personal life. They may have difficulty to complete tasks, and their productivity may be reduced. They may also be late and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Insanity can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. This can cause them to feel isolated and lonely. They may also feel that they are not understood by their family and friends. It is more difficult to organize in menopausal or perimenopausal women as hormones alter and symptoms increase.
It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to fit in with the norms of society and avoid being considered a failure. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It may be a reason why 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 have poor academic or work performance. This could affect their job, grades, or overall standing. It can also create problems for their personal life. For instance it can cause difficulties with romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized can receive one-on-one assistance from a nonjudgmental support person. They can provide strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and creating reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional could also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine that can trigger side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of life. A variety of instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism, and the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It has also been found to be linked with the fear of being wrong, which could be the reason why it is common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of women who have adhd in their adult lives the participants said they were incapable of making decisions in their personal and professional lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships, and struggled to find jobs they enjoyed. adult adhd symptoms women were dependent on others to make decisions, or were unable complete projects like scheduling childcare. They often felt like they were restricted by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had trouble relaxing and maintaining friendships which led to mental health issues. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles which was beneficial to their self-esteem since it meant they were not blamed for their own problems. They also had access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. These included a lack romantic or career opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Women might cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that their behavior is less acceptable than for boys and men. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem that contribute to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a precursor to better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, like careers, relationships as well as money and power. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in the relationship, which could ultimately end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women who have ADHD often have a feeling that they don't have enough of the good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to toxic work cultures, a negative self-image, and a dependence on food or substances.
Despite these issues However, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the way they perceive their ability to manage it. A few of them also point out personal strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD such as high energy, creativity determination and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. 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.