ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people don't fit into a sex binary. Sexe and gender can affect how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to 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 root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. But women may have more difficulty to get the attention they require particularly since symptoms typically appear in different ways than in men.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They're also more likely to be emotionally triggered and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on work, resulting in an inability to perform at work or at home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss doctor's appointments.
In addition to these natural variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms more severe. The hippocampus of females is bigger which helps with learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.
In the end, women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships, at school as well as at work. They could also be suffering from a variety of comorbid disorders including depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
For these reasons, it is crucial for health care professionals to recognize the many clues that females with ADHD frequently exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that influence the severity of symptoms. This way, patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, particularly when interacting with others. This can result in to emotional dysregulation, which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative outcomes in life. These include low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble with friendships and a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women with ADHD are treated. Because they are often viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be viewed as emotionally unstable. This can lead to their frustration over being a victim of untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they are more prone to making decisions and executing in their intentions. This can make you want to indulge in 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 such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will help people with ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn healthier coping skills.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a great idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and 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 personal and professional lives. It may take longer to complete tasks and reduce their productivity. They could also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
Insanity can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose possessions such as keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved because of this. They may also feel unloved by family and friends. Disorganization is more common during perimenopause or menopause when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It could also be a reason why girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence when symptoms are more obvious.
As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD may have trouble with their work or school performance. This can negatively impact their work, grades, or even their reputation. It can also create problems in their personal lives. For example, it may lead to issues with romantic partners or strain relationships with family members and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization could get help one-on-one from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach them strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional may recommend medication or lifestyle changes that will help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine that can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of life. Several instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to apply worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret ambiguous situations as dangerous. It has also been found to be associated with a fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of women who have adhd in their adult lives, interviewees said they were not able to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They often were dependent on others to decide or were unable complete projects themselves, such as scheduling childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like inattention and impulsivity or difficulty beginning projects was preventing them from completing.
They had a difficult time finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which resulted in mental health issues. They reported anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. full report felt stigmatized by the media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their struggles, which was helpful for self-esteem since it meant they were not blamed for their own problems. They also had access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.
The interviews revealed that the women were very optimistic, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. These included a lack of career or romantic opportunities and difficulties in maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women can conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these behaviors aren't as acceptable for boys and men. Women who suffer from ADHD might take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in feelings of low self-esteem which can lead to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things - including careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships to feel worthy. add symptoms in adult women licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can cause a lack of communication in relationships, which could eventually end it.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women 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 others. This can result in negative work environments and a negative image of the body, and an addiction to foods or substances.
While these are serious issues, the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as positive or negative according to how they feel about their ability to manage it. Some have identified strengths they believe are partially due to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination and the ability to easily get interested in new topics. They also discuss their unique struggles in the context of the larger picture, which includes gender and biological differences, as well as cultural and family issues.