ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. Many people do not fit neatly into a binary sexuality. However, sex and gender influence the way symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause difficulties in more than one setting to be able to receive an assessment.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. But women may have more difficulty to achieve the focus they need particularly since symptoms typically manifest differently in men.
Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability of concentration, which can lead to an absence of productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely skip doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications.
The hormones of women as well as these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is bigger, which aids in memory and learning. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause may also affect brain function.
This is why women with undiagnosed ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in their relationships as well as at work. They may also have a variety of comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
It is essential that health professionals are aware of the numerous signs that females with ADHD show. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other variables that can influence symptom severity. That way, these patients can finally get the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life results. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression that coexist and a strained relationship with a partner that can result in violence between partners, problems with friendships, a messy house or personal space, inability to manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes may also impact how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are typically perceived as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they may be misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can increase their frustration over being a victim of untreated ADHD.
adhd in women signs of the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they have more trouble making decisions and executing with their intentions. This can make 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 medications can help to increase their ability to manage their impulses. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medicines like the guanfacine and clonidine are effective too. Behavioral therapy can also be advised, which will aid people suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stress.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all help control anxiety and impulsiveness among people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day and to share this information with their doctor to determine whether their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from ADHD and can have a negative impact on their work and personal lives. It could take them longer to complete tasks, and reduce their efficiency. They might also fail to meet deadlines and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Inability to organize can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. They might feel lonely and unloved because of this. Friends and family members may confuse them. Disorganization can be worse in menopausal or perimenopausal women, when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.
It is not unusual for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to fit in with societal norms and avoid being judged. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. This could be a reason why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more obvious.
Women with untreated ADHD might have a poor performance at school or at work. This can negatively impact their job, grades or their image. This could also cause issues in their personal lives. For instance, it may lead to difficulties with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from one-on-one help from a nonjudgmental support person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating a list and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional could also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can trigger side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that influences decision-making across a wide range of aspects of life. A variety of instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and with the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also found to be linked to a fear of making a mistake which could be the reason people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd that were interviewed, they described not being in a position 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 had to wait for others to decide or were unable complete tasks on their own, 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 which led to issues with their mental health. They reported anxiety and stress, sleeping insufficiently and having poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD and helped improve their self-esteem because they were not blaming themselves. It also gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews showed that the women had many positive qualities but struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women can cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that these symptoms are less acceptable than for boys and men. They also may be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues which can lead to depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a precursor to healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, like relationships, careers as well as money and power. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication in a relationship, which can eventually end it.
Women with ADHD might also feel they are not worthy of good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with others. This can cause toxic workplaces and a negative self-image and an addiction of substance or food.
Although these are significant challenges however, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them say that they view their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they feel they have control over it. A few of them also point out their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD, including high energy, creativity determination, and the ability to get easily interested in new topics. They also describe their own struggles within the context of a larger picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well as cultural and family issues.