ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people do not fit into a sex binary. Sexe and gender can affect the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. ADHD must show signs before 12 years of age and cause problems in more than one environment to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and can affect both women and men. Women may have a harder time focusing, especially since symptoms may manifest differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely to become emotional and have trouble putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus which can lead to an absence of productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss appointments with doctors.
In addition to these inherent differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, as well as hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships, at school, and at work. They may also be struggling with a myriad of co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
For these reasons, it's critical for health professionals to recognize the many indications that females with ADHD frequently exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations, and other factors that affect the severity of symptoms. In this way, these patients will receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they interact with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation that is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. signs of adhd in women includes low self-esteem coexisting depression and anxiety as well as problematic relationships with loved ones, which can lead to violence between partners, problems with friendships, a messy home or personal space, an inability manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are perceived as more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and sticking in their intentions. This could cause you to want to eat more cake or make a snide comment.
For those who suffer from ADHD, medication can help to improve their ability to control their behavior. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy is also suggested, which can aid people suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and develop more effective ways of coping.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing anxiety and impulsiveness among people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day, and share the information with their doctor in order to assess whether their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with ADHD and can impact their professional and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete tasks and their efficiency may be reduced. They may also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.
An absence of organization could cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and alone. They may also feel unloved by family members and friends. The disorder can become more severe during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones shift and symptoms increase.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being considered a failure. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It may also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially true in adolescence, when symptoms are more apparent.
Women with untreated ADHD may not perform as well at work or in school. This could negatively impact their career, grades, or reputation. This can also cause problems for their personal lives. For example, it may lead to issues with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized can receive one-on-one assistance from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can help women learn to stay organized by making a list and setting reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can recommend medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause adverse effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that affects decision making in many areas of our lives. Indecisiveness is measured by various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret uncertain situations as being threat. It has also been proven to be associated with the 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 adult women with adhd that were interviewed they said they were not able to make decisions about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They often waited for other people to make decisions or were unable to complete projects on their own, for example, scheduling childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects were holding them back.
They struggled to keep friendships and had difficulty relaxing and recharging their mental health. They described stress and anxiety, a lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by media and adults. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD, which helped them improve their self-esteem because they were not blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic and able to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. The women complained of the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are viewed as less acceptable socially for women and girls than they are for males and females and so women may conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. Some women may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to low self-esteem, which can cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a key factor in better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek external things - such as relationships, careers as well as wealth and power to feel a sense of worthiness. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can also lead to a lack in communication within relationships.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women who have ADHD often have a feeling that they don't have enough of the good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with other people. adhd test for women can lead to negative work environments and a negative image of the body and a dependence on food or substances.
While these are serious issues but the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. Most of them say that they view their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they believe they have control over it. A few of them also point out personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD, including high energy, creativity, determination and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their own struggles within the context of an overall picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well as cultural and family issues.