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 fall into a binary of sex. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before the age of 12. ADHD must show signs before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple settings to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and can affect both women and men. Women may have a difficult focus, particularly since symptoms may manifest differently than men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate which can lead to an absence of productivity at home or work. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss doctor's appointments.
In addition to these inherent differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, and hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain's functioning.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also struggle with a host of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for health professionals to recognize the many indicators that females suffering from ADHD often show. They need to rethink their methods to diagnose and treat females with ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. The patients will then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life results. These include low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friends as well as a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and following up with their intentions. This could make you want to take a bite more cake or to make a snide comment.
Adults with ADHD are able to benefit from medication that helps to control their tendency to be impulsive. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like the guanfacine and clonidine are efficient too. Patients with ADHD may also benefit from behavioral therapy, which helps them change their thinking patterns and develop healthier methods of coping.
Sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of 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 is a common problem in people with ADHD and can impact their personal and professional life. It may take longer to complete tasks and decrease their efficiency. They could also be late or overwhelmed each day.
Inability to organize can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated due to this. Friends and family members may misunderstand them. Disorganization is more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones are changing and symptoms increase.
It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. This could also be the reason women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms are more apparent.
In the end women who are not treated for ADHD might have poor academic or work performance. This could affect their work, grades or overall reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal life, such as difficulties with romantic partners, or strained relationships with friends and family members.
Women who are chronically disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating a list and setting reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can recommend medications and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. signs of adhd in women may include eating small, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can increase side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that affects decision making across a wide range of aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret uncertain situations as being threat. 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 qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed they said they were not in a position to make decisions about their personal and professional lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or to stay in, and found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often were dependent on others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects such as scheduling childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms like impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects were holding them back.
They struggled to keep friendships and had difficulty relaxing, leading to problems with their mental health. They reported anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by the 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 were not blamed for their condition. They also had access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that the women had a number of positive characteristics however, they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. These included a lack of romantic or career opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. an unclean home.
5. Self-esteem issues
Certain of the symptoms that make up ADHD are considered to be less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for men and boys and so women may hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorder. adhd test for women might internalize their ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in feelings of self-esteem issues which can lead to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the basis for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves to find validation, including careers, relationships, money, and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can lead to a lack in communication within a relationship.
Women who suffer from ADHD might also feel they are not worthy of good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with other people. This can cause toxic workplaces and a negative self-image and a dependence on food or substances.
Despite these challenges, women who took part in this study 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 their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD, including high energy, creativity determination and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. They also discuss their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as also gender and biological differences.