ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't belong to a sex binary. However, sex and gender can influence how symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause problems in more than one environment to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem that affects both men and women. Women may have a difficult to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can manifest differently than they do in men.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus on work, which can lead to a lack of productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely to skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medications.
In addition to these natural differences, women's hormones can make ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, as well as hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain's functioning.
This is why women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They might also struggle with a host of co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
It is essential that health care professionals recognize the numerous signs that females with ADHD exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. In this way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem coexisting depression and anxiety and a strained relationship with a partner, which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with friendships, a messy home or personal space, an inability manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can also affect how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are typically considered to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. This can lead to their frustration in being diagnosed with ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make you want to eat more cake or make a rude comment.
For adults with ADHD medications can help to improve their ability to control their behavior. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Patients with ADHD might also benefit from behavioral therapy, which can help them change their thinking patterns and develop more effective methods of coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It's also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician in order to assess whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for those suffering from ADHD and can affect their work and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete their tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They could also be late and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Inability to organize can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved as a result. They can also feel misunderstood by family members and friends. The disorder can become more severe during perimenopause and menopause as hormones alter and symptoms increase.
It is not unusual for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to conform with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It could also be a reason for why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence when symptoms become more apparent.
In the end, women with untreated ADHD might experience poor work or school performance. This could affect their work, grades or their overall image. This can also cause problems for their personal lives. For instance it could lead to issues with romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization could receive one-on-one assistance from a nonjudgmental support person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating a list and establishing reminders. A licensed mental health professional can recommend medication or lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can cause an increase in the negative effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of our lives. 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 employ worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people perceive ambiguous situations as threatening. It has also been found to be associated with anxiety about being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women with adhd, interviewees described being unable to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding a job they liked or stayed in, and found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They frequently waited for other people to decide or were unable to complete projects themselves, such as organizing childcare. add in women test believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had trouble relaxing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health problems. They described high levels of stress and anxiety, a sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties, which was helpful for self-esteem because it meant they were not blamed for their own problems. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that the women had many positive qualities however, they were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. The women complained of the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women might hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they feel that these symptoms are less acceptable for boys and men. Some women might 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 could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a precursor to healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. People who lack self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves to find validation, including relationships, careers money, power, and relationships. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication within the relationship, which could eventually end it.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel they do not deserve good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can cause toxic workplaces and a negative self-image and a dependence on substance or food.
Despite these significant challenges the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either a blessing or a curse depending on the way they perceive their ability to manage it. Some of them have also identified strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to easily get interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that includes family and cultural issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.