ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people don't easily fit into an unisexual gender. Genre and gender can influence how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before the age of 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and affects both men and women. Women may have a harder time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization, for example. They are also more likely to be emotionally triggered and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to an inability to perform at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss appointments with doctors.
The hormones of women as well as these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is bigger which helps in memory and learning. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause may also affect brain function.
As a result, women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD can have major struggles in relationships, at school and at work. They may also be struggling with a variety of comorbid conditions, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
For these reasons, it's critical for health care professionals to be aware of the numerous indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnose and treat females with ADHD in order to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. In this way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It can also be linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also influence the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are perceived as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
People suffering from 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 you want to eat more cake or make a rude comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help them control their tendency to be impulsive. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine are able to reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy can also be advised, which will help those suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping skills.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help to control anxiety and impulsiveness among people with ADHD. It is important to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician to assess whether their treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their work and personal lives. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.
Inability to organize can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved because of this. They may also feel that they are not understood by family and friends. Disorganization can be worse during perimenopause and menopause as hormones alter and symptoms increase.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being considered a failure. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It can also be a reason why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence where symptoms are more obvious.
In the end women suffering from untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This can affect their work, grades or overall reputation. This could also cause issues for their personal life. For instance it can cause difficulties with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women who are constantly disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. They can teach women how to stay organized by making an agenda and establishing reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine that can trigger side effects of stimulant medications.
4. adhd in women signs affects decision-making in many aspects of daily life. Several instruments have been developed to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It was also discovered to be associated with a fear of making a mistake which could explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd, interviewees said they were incapable of making decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had trouble finding an occupation they liked. They often were dependent on others to decide or were unable complete projects themselves, such as scheduling childcare. They often felt like they were hindered by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsivity.
They had trouble in establishing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health issues. They reported stress and anxiety, as well as a sleeping insufficiently and having inadequate nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles which was beneficial for self-esteem because it meant they were not blamed for their condition. It also gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews showed that the women had a number of positive characteristics but were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their life. These included a lack possibilities for romance or work, difficulty maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women might hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe that their behavior is less acceptable for men and boys. Some women may take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in low self-esteem, which can cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the basis for better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek external things - such as relationships, careers wealth, power, and relationships to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also lead to a lack in communication within a relationship.
Women suffering from ADHD may also feel that they do not deserve good things in life. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or "keep up" with other people. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment and a negative image of the body and a dependence on food or substances.
While attention deficit disorder in women are serious issues but the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how they feel about their ability to manage it. Some have identified strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to effortlessly become interested in new topics. They also discuss their unique struggles in the context of a larger picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well as cultural and family issues.