ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people do not fall into a binary of sex. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. ADHD must show signs before the age of 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD, and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have a tougher time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than they do in men.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip doctor's appointments.
The hormones that women experience, in addition to these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in memory and learning, and hormone changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain's functioning.
In the end, women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in their relationships as well as at work. They could also be suffering from multiple comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is essential that health professionals understand the many signs females suffering from ADHD display. They need to rethink their methods for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. The patients will then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression and a strained relationship with a partner which can lead to violence between partners, problems with friendships, a messy house or personal space, an inability manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can also influence the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are typically perceived as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they could be misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. This can lead to their frustration over living with untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD have impaired impulse control which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and executing their intentions. This can make you want to eat more cake or make a snide comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medication that helps to control their tendency to be impulsive. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will help people with ADHD modify their thinking patterns and develop better ways to cope with stress.
Sleeping enough, eating a healthy diet, and practicing meditation can also help to control restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and to share the information with their doctor to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem in people with ADHD, and can affect their professional and personal lives. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks and their productivity could be diminished. They may also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.
An absence of organization could cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated due to this. Family and friends may also misunderstand their feelings. Disorganization is more common during perimenopause or menopause when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms to fit into societal norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It could also be the reason girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence where symptoms become more apparent.
In the end, women with untreated ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This can 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 with chronic disorganization could receive one-on-one assistance from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach women how to stay organized by making a list and setting reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can worsen the adverse effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that affects decision making across a wide range of aspects of life. Indecisiveness is measured by several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and with the tendency to employ worst-case scenario thinking, where people perceive ambiguous situations as dangerous. It has also been found to be linked with a fear of being wrong, which may be the reason why it is common for people with adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women with adhd participants, they reported being unable to make decisions in their personal and professional lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships and struggled to find an occupation they liked. They often were dependent on others to take decisions, or were unable to complete tasks like scheduling childcare. They often felt like they were being restricted by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
adhd in women signs struggled to keep relationships and had trouble relaxing and recharging their mental health. They reported anxiety and stress, lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their struggles, which was helpful 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 revealed that women were very positive and able to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. These included a lack romantic or career opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are seen as less acceptable socially for women and girls than they are for men and boys, so some women hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD may internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem which can lead to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a prerequisite for better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - like relationships, careers wealth, power, and relationships to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also lead to a lack in communication within the relationship.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, those with ADHD often have a feeling that they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can result in toxic workplace cultures as well as a negative self-image and an addiction of food or substances.
Despite these major issues the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as a blessing or a curse according to the way they perceive their ability to manage it. Some of them have also identified their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination and the ability to quickly become interested in new topics. They also discuss their individual struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well cultural and family issues.
