ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. Many people don't fit neatly into a binary gender. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple environments to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD and it's an issue for everyone. Women may have a tougher time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization for instance. They are also more likely to experience emotional stress and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate, which can lead to an inability to perform at home or work. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with their doctor.
In addition to these natural gender differences, hormones of women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is bigger, which aids in memory and learning. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause may also affect brain function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in relationships as well as at work. They might also struggle with a myriad of comorbid disorders, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
In these circumstances, it's critical for health care professionals to recognize the many indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD in order to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. This way, patients will receive the treatment they require.
2. adult add women suffering from ADHD often have trouble 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 results. This includes low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in 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 influence how women who suffer from ADHD will be treated. Because they are often viewed as more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they may be misinterpreted or dismissed as being emotionally prone. This can cause them to feel more frustrated over being diagnosed with ADHD.
The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and executing their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from medication that helps them manage their impulsivity. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can be efficient too. Behavioral therapy may also be advised, which will help those suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping skills.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough sleep can all help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It's important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and communicate the information with their doctor to determine if their treatment plan is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their personal and professional lives. It could take longer to complete their tasks and decrease their efficiency. They may also be late and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Lack of organization can also make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. They may miss important dates or misplace things like purses or keys. They might feel lonely and unloved due to this. Friends and family members may misunderstand them. Disorganization can be worse during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles as hormones alter and symptoms become more severe.
It is not unusual for women to hide their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with society's norms and avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could also be a reason for why girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more evident.
In the end women suffering from untreated ADHD may have trouble with their work or school performance. This could affect their work, grades, or reputation. It can also cause problems in their personal life including issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women who are constantly disorganized can benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental friend. They can help women learn to stay organized by creating a list and establishing reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can suggest medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can increase the side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of life. Indecisiveness can be measured using several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism, and the tendency to use worst-case scenario thinking, where people perceive ambiguous situations as dangerous. It has also been proven to be associated with anxiety about 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, interviewees said they were not able to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They struggled to find a job they liked 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 for them, or were unable to finish projects like organizing childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms such as inattention and impulsivity or difficulty starting projects were holding them back.
They struggled to keep relationships and had trouble relaxing and recharging their mental health. They reported having high levels of anxiety and stress as well as an inability to sleep and a poor diet. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews showed that the women had many positive qualities but were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. These included a lack of possibilities for romance or work and difficulties in maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are considered to be less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for males and females Some women choose to are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. Women might internalize their ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in feelings of low self-esteem that contribute to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a key factor in healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, like jobs, relationships as well as money and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can lead to a lack in communication within a relationship.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, those with ADHD frequently struggle with the feeling that they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with other people. This can lead to toxic work cultures, a negative self-image, and an addiction of substances or food.
Although these are significant challenges but the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as a blessing or a curse depending on how they feel about their ability to manage it. A few of them also point out personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD, including the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as well as biological and gender differences.