ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. A lot of people do not easily fit into a binary sexuality. Sexe and gender can affect how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before age 12. The symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one setting to be eligible for the diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is the core of ADHD and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have a difficult time focusing, especially since symptoms may manifest differently than men.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They are also more likely to become emotional and have difficulty putting things into perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on work, resulting in a decrease in productivity at work or home. They're also more likely not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medication.
The hormones of women as well as these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, and hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school and at work. They could also be suffering from a variety of comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is essential that health care professionals recognize the many signs females suffering from ADHD display. They should rethink their strategies to diagnose and treat females with ADHD in order to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. Patients can then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, especially when interacting with others. This can lead emotional dysregulation which is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friends, a messy house or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can exacerbate their frustrations about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD have impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and sticking with their goals. This could make you want to eat more cake or make a snide comment.
For those who suffer from ADHD medications can help to increase their ability to control their behavior. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medications such as clonidine and guanfacine can be effective as well. People with ADHD may also benefit from behavioral therapy, which helps them alter their thinking patterns and develop more effective methods of coping.
Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is important to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share this information with their physician so they can assess whether the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem in people with ADHD, and can affect their professional and personal lives. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks and their efficiency may be reduced. They might also be late and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
A lack of organization can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important dates or lose items like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated due to this. Friends and family may misunderstand their feelings. Disorganization is more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.
It is not unusual for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform with society's norms and avoid being judged. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could be a reason for why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially evident in adolescence when symptoms are more evident.
In the end, women with untreated ADHD might experience poor work or school performance. This can impact their job, grades, or overall reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal lives including issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with friends and family members.
Women with chronic disorganization can receive one-on-one assistance from a nonjudgmental support person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating a list and establishing reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest medications and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy and avoiding caffeine, which can worsen the negative effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of life. Several instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also linked to 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 be the reason why it is common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In signs of add in adult women that was qualitative of adult women with adhd, interviewees described being incapable of making decisions in their work and personal lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships, and had trouble finding a job that they liked. They often were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable to complete projects on their own, for example, organizing childcare. They often felt like they were held back by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsivity.
They struggled to keep friendships and had difficulty relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They reported having high levels of anxiety and stress as well as an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-image because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. They also had access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women had a lot of positive qualities however, they were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their life. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the signs that make up ADHD are seen as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for boys and men, so some women hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorder. Some women may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in feelings of self-esteem issues that 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. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships, money, and power. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause a lack of communication in relationships, which could ultimately end it.
Women with ADHD might also feel they do not deserve good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with other people. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment, a negative body image, and an addiction to food or other substances.
Despite these significant issues, women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how they feel about their ability to control it. Several of them also identify personal strengths they believe are due to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy determination and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues as well as biological and gender differences.