ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people don't fit into a sex binary. However, sex and gender can influence how symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of early childhood, typically before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause difficulties in multiple settings to be eligible for the diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. Women may find it more challenging to attain the attention they require due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest differently for men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on work, which can lead to a lack of productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss doctor's appointments.
The hormones of women along with these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which aids in learning and memory, and hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also suffer from various comorbidities like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
In these circumstances, it's critical for health professionals to be aware of the numerous indicators that females suffering from ADHD frequently exhibit. They need to rethink their methods for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD in order to recognize hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. Patients can then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It can also be linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, anxiety and depression that coexist and a strained relationship with a partner, which can lead to violence between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability manage time or money, and a messy house.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently perceived as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be viewed as emotionally unstable. This can increase their frustration in being diagnosed with ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means they have more trouble 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 them manage their tendency to be impulsive. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce impulsive behavior. adhd traits in women like clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. People with ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them change their thinking patterns and develop better coping techniques.
A good night's sleep, eating a healthy diet, and practicing meditation can also help to control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and communicate this data with their doctor to determine if their treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for those suffering from ADHD and can affect their work and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete their tasks, and their productivity may be reduced. They may also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.
A lack of organization can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. They may not remember important dates or even lose things like purses or keys. In the end, they might feel isolated and lonely. They may also feel that they are not understood by their family and friends. The disorder can become more severe in menopausal or perimenopausal women as hormones alter and symptoms intensify.
It is not unusual for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to conform with societal norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It could also be a reason for why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more evident.
Women who are not treated for ADHD might have a poor performance at school or at work. This could affect their work, grades, or their image. This could also cause issues in their personal lives. For instance, it may lead to problems with their romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can teach women how to stay organized by making lists and setting reminders. A qualified mental health professional may also recommend medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause adverse effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of daily life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness has also been linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret uncertain situations as being dangerous. It was also found to be linked to a fear of making a mistake, which could explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of women who have adhd in their adult lives participants, they described being unable to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding the job they wanted or to stay in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often waited for others to make decisions, or were unable to finish projects such as scheduling childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects was preventing them from completing.
They had trouble in establishing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health issues. They described anxiety and stress, sleeping insufficiently and having poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by other adults and by the media. attention deficit disorder in women were able to explain their struggles with ADHD and helped improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming others. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women had a number of positive characteristics but were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their life. The women reported an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the signs that make up ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for boys and men and so women may are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can result in feelings of self-esteem loss that can cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - like relationships, careers wealth, power, and relationships to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can lead to an absence of communication within the relationship.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD often struggle with feeling like they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or "keep up" with other people. This can result in a toxic work culture as well as a negative image of one's body, and an addiction to food or substances.
While these are major challenges however, the women who took part in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as positive or negative depending on the way they perceive their ability to manage it. A few of them also point out personal strengths they believe are due to their ADHD which include the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. They also discuss their own struggles within the context of a larger picture that includes gender and biological distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.