ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. Many people don't easily fit into an unisexual sex. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in childhood, usually before the age of 12. ADHD must show signs before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple environments to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD and it's an issue for everyone. However, women might have a harder time to achieve the focus they require particularly since symptoms typically appear in different ways than for men.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate, which can lead to a lack productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with their doctor.
In addition to these natural gender differences, hormones of women can make ADHD symptoms worse. The female hippocampus is larger which helps with memory and learning. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause may also affect brain function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They may also have multiple comorbid disorders including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
This is why it is crucial for health care professionals to be aware of the numerous indicators that females suffering from ADHD often show. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other variables that influence the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients can finally get the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with others. This can cause to emotional dysregulation, which is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. This can include low self-esteem, coexisting depression and anxiety and a strained relationship with a partner which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes can also affect how women with ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they could be viewed as overly emotional. This can lead to their frustration at living with untreated ADHD.
People with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or to make an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from medication that helps them manage their impulsivity. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy is also recommended, which can aid people suffering from ADHD modify their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing anxiety and impulsiveness among people suffering from ADHD. It is also a good idea to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and share the information with their doctor so they can assess whether the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem for people suffering from ADHD and can have a negative impact on their work and personal lives. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks and their efficiency may be diminished. They might also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
Lack of organization can also cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. They may not remember important dates or even lose items like keys or purses. In the end, they might feel lonely and alone. They may also feel that they are not understood by family and friends. 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 to conform with the norms of society and avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It may be a reason why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially true in adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious.
As a result, women with untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This could affect their work, grades or overall reputation. It can also cause problems in their personal life, such as difficulties with romantic partners, or strained relationships with family members and friends members.
Women who are constantly disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can help women learn to stay organized by creating a list and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional could also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy and avoiding caffeine, which can worsen the negative effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of 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 correlated with neuroticism and the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It has also been found to be linked with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it's common for people with adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd that were interviewed they said they were not able to make decisions about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had trouble finding a job that they liked. They often were dependent on others to take decisions, or were unable to finish projects such as organizing childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or getting started on projects were holding them back.
They had a difficult time relaxing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health issues. adhd women test described high levels of anxiety and stress, lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-image because it meant they weren't blaming themselves. It also gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women had a lot of positive qualities however, they were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women can hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe that their behavior is less acceptable for boys and men. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can cause feelings of low self-esteem which can lead to depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a prerequisite for better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, like relationships, careers, money, and power. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication within relationships, which could ultimately end it.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD frequently struggle with the feeling that they don't have enough of the good things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can result in toxic workplace cultures, a negative self-image, and an addiction of food or substances.
While these are serious issues but the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them say that they view their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they feel they can control it. Some of them have also identified their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to quickly become fascinated by new subjects. They also describe their individual struggles in the context of the larger picture, which includes biological and gender distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.