ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. A lot of people do not fit neatly into the binary sex. However, gender and sex can affect the way symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of the early years of childhood, typically before age 12. Symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one environment to qualify for the diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. Women may have a tougher to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can appear differently than in males.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability of concentration, which can lead to a lack productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss appointments with their doctor.
The hormones that women experience as well as these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, as well as hormone changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain's function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school and at work. They could also struggle with a host of co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for health professionals to be aware of the various indications that females with ADHD frequently exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD in order to take into account hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. That way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can cause to emotional dysregulation, which is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative outcomes in life. These include poor self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble with friendships and a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also influence the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are often viewed as more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be misinterpreted or dismissed as overly emotional. This can lead to their frustration over living with untreated ADHD.
People with ADHD have impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and following through with their goals. This can make you want to indulge in more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
For those who suffer from ADHD medications can help to increase their ability to manage their behavior. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and Guanfacine can also be effective. People suffering from ADHD may also benefit from behavioral therapy, which can help to change their mental patterns and develop better coping techniques.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all help to control anxiety and impulsiveness among people suffering from ADHD. It is important to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share the information with their doctor to determine if their treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for people suffering from ADHD and impact their professional and personal life. They may have trouble to complete their tasks and their efficiency may be diminished. They might also fail to meet deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Insanity can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might miss important dates or misplace things like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated as a result. Friends and family members may be confused about their feelings. The disorder is more prevalent during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
It is not unusual for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform with the norms of society and avoid being judged. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. This could be a reason why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence when symptoms become more apparent.
As a result women who are not treated for ADHD might have poor work or school performance. This can negatively impact their work, grades, or reputation. It can also create problems in their personal lives including issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women with chronic disorganization can receive one-on-one assistance from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating an agenda and setting reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional may recommend medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can increase the side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of life. A variety of instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret ambiguous situations as dangerous. It was also found to be linked to the fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women suffering from adhd participants, they said they were incapable of making decisions in their work and personal lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often were dependent on others to make decisions, or were unable complete projects such as organizing childcare. They often felt that they were hindered by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had a difficult time keeping friendships and had difficulty relaxing, leading to problems with their mental health. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety and an inability to sleep and a poor diet. They also expressed feeling slighted by the media and adults. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming themselves. It also gave them access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic and able to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. These included a lack of romantic or career opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women may hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe these symptoms are less acceptable for men and boys. Women who suffer from ADHD might internalize their ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can lead to low self-esteem, which could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a precursor to 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 relationships, careers as well as money and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also result in a lack in communication within the relationship.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, those with ADHD frequently struggle with a feeling that they don't have enough of the good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to negative work environments as well as a negative image of one's body and a dependence on food or substances.
Despite Highly recommended Site who participated in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how they feel about their ability to manage it. Several of them also identify personal strengths that 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 topics. They also discuss their unique struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.