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. A lot of people do not easily fit into the binary sex. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of childhood, usually before age 12. ADHD must present symptoms before the age of 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and affects both men and women. Women may have a harder to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can appear differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely to experience emotional stress and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on work, resulting in an inability to perform at work or at home. They're also more likely to skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
In addition to these natural variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain's functioning.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also struggle with a myriad of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
This is why it's critical for health professionals to recognize the many clues that females with ADHD often exhibit. They need to rethink their methods for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD in order to recognize emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. Patients can then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they interact with other people. This can result in to emotional dysregulation, which is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It is also linked to negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friendships and a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can lead to their frustration over being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means that they have a difficult time making decisions and executing their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate statement in public.
For those who suffer from ADHD medications can help to enhance their ability to manage their behavior. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will help people with ADHD alter their thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stress.
Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share this data with their doctor so they can assess whether their treatment plan is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for those suffering from ADHD and impact their work and personal lives. It may take longer to complete their tasks and decrease their productivity. They may also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
A lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may miss important dates or misplace items like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and alone. They may also feel that they are not understood by family members and friends. It is more difficult to organize during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles, when hormones change and symptoms increase.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being judged. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It may be a reason why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly true in adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
In the end women who are not treated for ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This could affect their work, grades or overall standing. It can also create problems in their personal life, such as difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with friends and family members.
high functioning adhd in women who are chronically unorganized could benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can help them learn strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making lists of daily tasks and making reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional could also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can increase side 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, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret ambiguous circumstances as being dangerous. It has also been proven to be associated with the fear of being wrong, which could help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd who 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 struggled to find a job that they liked. They often had to wait for others to take decisions, or were unable to finish projects like arranging childcare. They often felt that they were restricted by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had difficulty relaxing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health issues. They described high levels of anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them improve their self-esteem because they were not blaming themselves. They also had access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that the women had many positive qualities, but they struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. adhd in women treatment reported the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are considered to be less acceptable socially for women and girls than they are for boys and men, so some women are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. Some women may internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). 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 positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things - including careers, relationships as well as wealth and power - to feel worthy. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in a relationship, which can ultimately end it.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD often struggle with feeling like they don't have enough of the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire for others to "keep up" or to please. This can lead to negative work environments, a negative body image, and an addiction to food or substances.
Although these are significant challenges however, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally describe their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they feel they can manage it. Some of them have 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 fascinated by new subjects. They also describe their own struggles within the context of an overall picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well as cultural and family issues.