ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people don't fall into an unisexual sexuality. However, sex and gender influence the way symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. ADHD must show signs before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple settings to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and can affect both women and men. Women may have a difficult focus, particularly since symptoms may manifest differently than in 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 into perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medications.
In addition to these inherent variations, hormones in women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The female hippocampus is larger which helps with memory and learning. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can also affect brain function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also struggle with a variety of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is crucial that health professionals understand the many signs females suffering from ADHD show. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients can finally get the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a key component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently perceived as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. This can lead to their frustration at living with untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means that they are more prone to making decisions and executing with their goals. This could cause you to want to take a bite more cake or to make a snide comment.
For people who suffer from ADHD medications can help to increase their ability to control their impulses. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to decrease the impulsive behavior and non-stimulant drugs like Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective too. Behavioral therapy can also be advised, which will aid people suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn healthier coping skills.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can all help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It's important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and communicate the information with their doctor to determine if their treatment plan is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with ADHD and can have a negative impact on their work and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete tasks, and their productivity may be reduced. They might also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
Lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and isolated due to this. Friends and family may confuse their feelings. The disorder can become more severe during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones shift 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 thought of as a problem. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It may also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially true in adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This can have a negative impact on their work, grades, or their image. It can also create problems for their personal lives. For example, it may lead to issues with romantic partners or strain relationships with family members and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization could receive one-on-one assistance by a non-judgmental therapist. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by making lists and setting reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can suggest medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can worsen the side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that affects decision making in many areas of life. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is because people perceive ambiguous situations as dangerous. It was also discovered to be related to the fear of making a mistake, which could help explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women with adhd the participants described being not able to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships, and struggled to find a job that they liked. They frequently waited for other people to decide or were unable complete projects themselves, such as scheduling childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or starting projects were holding them back.
They had a difficult time keeping friendships and had difficulty relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They reported anxiety and stress, lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles which was beneficial for self-esteem since it meant they weren't blamed for their condition. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. This included a lack of romantic or career opportunities and difficulties in maintaining relationships. an unclean home.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Women may hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they feel that these behaviors aren't as acceptable than for men and boys. They also may take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can cause lower self-esteem and could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth they tend to look for external things - such as careers, relationships, wealth, and power - to feel worthy. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication in relationships, which could eventually end it.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, those with ADHD frequently struggle with the feeling that they don't deserve the good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with other people. This can result in toxic workplace cultures as well as a negative self-image and a dependence on food or substances.
Although inattentive adhd in women are significant challenges but the women who participated in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them describe their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can control it. Many of them also recognize personal strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD which include the ability to be creative, high energy determination, and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique struggles as part of a larger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as well as biological and gender differences.