ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't fall into a binary of sex. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple environments to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and affects both men and women. Women may have a tougher focus, particularly since symptoms can appear differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on work, resulting in a lack of productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss doctor's appointments.
In addition to these inherent gender differences, hormones of women can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormonal changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain function.
As a result, 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 various comorbidities like depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
It is crucial that health care professionals recognize the many clues females with ADHD show. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that can influence symptom severity. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, especially when interacting with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. These include low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships and a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact the way women with ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are thought to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can exacerbate their frustrations about living with untreated ADHD.
adhd in women treatment suffering from ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and sticking with their goals. This could make you want to eat more cake or make a rude comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medications that help to control their impulsivity. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medicines like clonidine and guanfacine can be efficient too. People suffering from ADHD might also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps them change their mental patterns and develop better methods of coping.
A good night's sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help to control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day, and then share this information with their doctor in order to assess whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem in people with ADHD and can have a negative impact on their work and personal lives. They may find it difficult to complete tasks and their productivity could be diminished. They could also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
A lack of organization can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose possessions such as keys or purses. In the end, they might feel isolated and lonely. Friends and family members may misunderstand their feelings. It is more difficult to organize in menopausal or perimenopausal women when hormones shift and symptoms intensify.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It can also be the reason girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence when symptoms become more apparent.
As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This can affect their job, grades, or overall standing. This could also cause issues for their personal life. For instance it could lead to issues with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization could benefit from one-on-one help from a nonjudgmental support person. They can teach them strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can suggest medications and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness is measured by various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as potentially dangerous. It was also found to be related to a fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd that were interviewed the participants said they were not capable of making decisions about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and struggled to find an occupation they liked. They often were dependent on others to take decisions, or were unable to finish projects like scheduling childcare. They often felt that they were being restricted by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsivity.
They had a difficult time in establishing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health problems. They reported high levels of anxiety and stress and sleeping less, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial for self-image because it meant they weren't blaming themselves. They also had access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews showed that the women had many positive qualities however, they struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. These included a lack possibilities for romance or work as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women may conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable for men and boys. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues which can lead to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a key factor in healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look outside themselves for validation, like relationships, careers as well as money and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can also lead to an absence of communication within the relationship.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often struggle with feeling like they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and an addiction of substance or food.
Although these are significant challenges but the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as a blessing or a curse according to the way they perceive their ability to control it. Several of them also identify their own strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD which include high energy, creativity, determination, and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. They also describe their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as also gender and biological differences.