ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. A lot of people do not easily fit into the binary sexuality. However, gender and sex can influence the way symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause difficulties in more than one environment to be eligible for the diagnosis.
1. adhd symptoms in women adults with Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and can affect both women and men. Women may have a difficult focus, particularly since symptoms can manifest differently than males.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. 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 concentrate on work, which can lead to a lack of productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with their doctor.
Women's hormones, in addition to these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, and hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's functioning.
This is why women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in their relationships and at work. They may also be struggling with a variety of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
For these reasons, it's critical for health care professionals to recognize the many indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that influence the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a key element of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life results. These include poor self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact how women with ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently viewed as more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. This can increase their frustration about living with untreated ADHD.
The part 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 following up with their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or to make an inappropriate comment in public.
For people who suffer from ADHD, medication can help to improve their ability to control their impulses. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. People with ADHD might also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which can help them change their mental patterns and develop better coping techniques.
Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and practicing meditation can help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and communicate this information with their physician to assess whether the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their work and personal lives. It may take them longer to complete tasks and decrease their efficiency. They may also be late or overwhelmed every day.
Inability to organize can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. They might miss important dates or misplace items like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and unloved because of this. Friends and family may confuse them. It is more difficult to organize during perimenopause and menopause as hormones alter and symptoms increase.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms in order to fit into societal norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It could also be a reason for why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence when symptoms become more apparent.
As a result, women with untreated ADHD may have trouble with their work or school performance. This can impact their work, grades or overall reputation. It can also create problems for their personal life. For instance it can cause problems with their relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized can get help one-on-one from a nonjudgmental support person. They can help them learn strategies to stay organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and making reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional can recommend medication or lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine, which can increase side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that affects decision making in a variety of areas of our lives. Several instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness has also been linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people perceive ambiguous situations as being dangerous. It was also found to be related to the fear of making a mistake which could explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women suffering from adhd, interviewees said they were unable to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding a job they liked or to stay in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. adhd in women uk were dependent on others to make decisions for them, or were unable complete projects such as organizing childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects were holding them back.
They had trouble in establishing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health problems. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, a sleeping insufficiently and having poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles, which was helpful for self-esteem since it meant they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women had many positive qualities, but they were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their lives. The women reported an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women can cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that their behavior is less acceptable than for boys and men. They also may internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can result in feelings of low self-esteem that can cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the basis for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth, they tend to seek external things - such as careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships - to feel worthy. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can result in a lack of communication in the relationship, which could eventually end it.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD often struggle with a feeling that they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or to "keep up" with others. This can lead to a toxic work culture as well as a negative image of one's body, and an addiction to food or substances.
Despite these issues, women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either positive or negative depending on how they feel about their ability to control it. Some of them have also identified strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to quickly become interested in new topics. They also discuss their own struggles within the context of the larger picture, which includes gender and biological distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.