ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people don't belong to a sex binary. Sexe and gender can affect 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. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple environments to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the core of ADHD and it's an issue for everyone. Women may have a difficult to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can appear differently than they do in men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They also are more likely to experience emotional stress and struggle to put things in perspective. These problems can create an inability to concentrate on work, resulting in an inability to perform at work or home. They are also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medication.
The hormones of women as well as these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. signs of adhd in women of females is larger which helps with learning and memory. Menstrual hormone fluctuations as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also influence brain function.
This is why women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD can have major struggles in relationships, at school, and at work. They might also suffer from a variety of comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
It is essential that health care professionals recognize the numerous signs that females with ADHD show. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that affect the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially the case when they interact with other people. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friends as well as a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also affect how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are typically viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be misinterpreted or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD have impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and following through with their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or to make an inappropriate statement in public.
For adults with ADHD, medication can help to increase their ability to manage their impulsivity. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. People suffering from ADHD might also benefit from behavioral therapy, which can help to change their mental patterns and develop healthier strategies for coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough rest can all help to control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It is also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share the information with their doctor to assess whether the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people suffering from ADHD and impact their work and personal lives. It may take longer to complete tasks, and decrease their productivity. They might also miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and isolated. They may also feel that they are not understood by family members and friends. The disorder is more prevalent during perimenopause or menopause when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could also be a reason why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may not perform as well at work or in school. This could affect their job, grades, or overall reputation. It can also cause problems in their personal life including issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with friends and family members.
Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can teach them strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making an agenda of the daily tasks and creating reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can recommend medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause adverse effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of daily life. Several instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret ambiguous circumstances as dangerous. It has also been found to be linked with the fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it is common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd interviewed they said they were not in a position to make decisions about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often were dependent on others to make decisions for them, or were unable to complete tasks like arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or getting started on projects were holding them back.
They had a difficult time keeping friendships and were unable to relax, leading to problems with their mental health. They described stress and anxiety, as well as a lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-image because it meant they weren't blamed for their condition. It also provided them with access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews showed that the women had a number of positive characteristics but struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their life. This included a lack of possibilities for romance or work, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Some of the symptoms that make up ADHD are seen as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for men and boys Some women choose to conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. They may also be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues that contribute to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - like careers, relationships as well as wealth and power to feel worthy. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication in the relationship, which could eventually end it.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often have feeling like they don't deserve the good things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with other people. This can result in an unhealthy work environment, a negative body image and an addiction to food or other substances.
While these are serious issues, the women who participated in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally identify their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they believe they can manage it. Some have identified strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. These include the ability to be creative, energetic and determination and the ability to quickly become interested in new subjects. They also discuss their unique struggles in the context of the larger picture, which includes biological and gender differences, as well cultural and family issues.