ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people do not fit into a sex binary. 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 the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple settings to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the core of ADHD and is a problem for all genders. Women may have a tougher to concentrate, particularly because symptoms may manifest differently than males.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability of concentration which can lead to an inability to perform at work or at home. They're also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medications.
In addition to these innate variations, hormones in women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is bigger, which aids in learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also affect brain function.
In the end, women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in relationships as well as at work. They may also be struggling with a myriad of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
It is essential that health care professionals recognize the many clues females with ADHD show. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that affect the severity of symptoms. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation, which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. This can include low self-esteem, anxiety and depression and a strained relationship with a partner which can lead to violence between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women with ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are thought to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can exacerbate their frustrations about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and executing their intentions. This can make you want to eat more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help to control their impulses. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy can also be suggested, which can aid people suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping skills.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can all help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It's also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and then share the information with their doctor in order to assess whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their professional and personal life. They may have difficulty to complete tasks and their efficiency may be reduced. They may also be late and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
Inability to organize can cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose belongings like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and isolated. Friends and family members may be confused about their feelings. Disorganization is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.
It is not uncommon for women to hide their ADHD symptoms to conform with societal norms and avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. This could 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 might experience poor academic or work performance. This can impact their job, grades, or overall reputation. This could also cause issues for their personal life. For example it can cause issues with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women who are constantly disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 support of a non-judgmental friend. They can provide strategies to keep their lives organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and creating reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional may recommend medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can increase side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness is measured by 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 apply worst case scenario thinking, in which people perceive ambiguous situations as dangerous. It was also found to be related to the fear of making a mistake which could explain why people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of women who have adhd in their adult lives the participants reported being not able to make decisions in their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or stayed in, and found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often waited for others to make decisions, or were unable to finish projects like scheduling childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects was preventing them from completing.
They struggled to maintain relationships and had trouble relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They described having high levels of anxiety and stress, a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial for self-image because it meant they were not blaming themselves. They also had access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women were very positive however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. These included a lack romantic or career opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for boys and men Some women choose to conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. Women who suffer from ADHD might be able to internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in low self-esteem, which can cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - like careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also result in an absence of communication within the relationship.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, those with ADHD frequently struggle with the feeling that they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can result in a toxic work culture and a negative image of the body and an addiction to food or substances.
While these are major challenges however, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either positive or negative according to how they feel about their ability to manage it. adult female adhd symptoms I Am Psychiatry of them also point out personal strengths they believe are partly due to their ADHD which include the ability to be creative, high energy determination and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. They also discuss their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that includes family and cultural issues, as well as biological and gender differences.