ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. Many people do not fit neatly into a binary sex. However, sex and gender can affect the way symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of childhood, usually before age 12. ADHD must show signs before 12 years of age and cause problems in more than one environment to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. However, women might have a harder time to get the focus they require particularly since symptoms typically appear in different ways than in men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on work, resulting in a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medication.
Women's hormones, in addition to these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is bigger which helps in memory and learning. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause may also affect brain function.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school, and at work. They may also be struggling 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 often exhibit. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other factors that can influence symptom severity. That way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, especially when interacting with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life consequences. This includes low self-esteem, anxiety and depression 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 home.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are perceived as more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated at living with untreated ADHD.
The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means they have a harder time making decisions and sticking with their goals. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medication that helps them control their impulsivity. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy is also suggested, which can aid people suffering from ADHD modify 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 the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share this information with their physician to assess whether the treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for people suffering from ADHD and affect their personal and professional lives. They may find it difficult to complete tasks and their productivity could be diminished. They could also miss deadlines and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. People may not remember important dates or even lose things like purses or keys. They might feel lonely and unloved due to this. They may also feel that they are not understood by their family and friends. The disorder is more prevalent during perimenopause or menopause when hormones are changing and symptoms become more severe.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel 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 apparent.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may not perform as well at school or at work. This can impact their career, grades or overall standing. This could also cause issues for their personal lives. For example it can cause difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.
Women who are constantly disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental friend. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating lists and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional could recommend medication or lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can trigger side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of life. Several instruments have been developed to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to apply worst case scenario thinking, which is where people perceive ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It has also been found to be correlated 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 the study that was qualitative of women who have adhd in their adult lives participants, they described being not able to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships and struggled to find jobs they enjoyed. They often had to wait for others to make decisions, or were unable to finish projects such as scheduling childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or starting projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had difficulty finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which resulted in mental health issues. They reported stress and anxiety, as well as a lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by adults and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD and helped boost their self-esteem as they were not blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women had a number of positive characteristics but struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. The women reported an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women might hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable than for boys and men. Women may internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem that can cause anxiety, depression 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 outside things - like relationships, careers as well as wealth and power - to feel worthy. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication in the relationship, which could ultimately end it.
add in adult women who suffer from ADHD might also feel they are not worthy of good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can lead to a toxic work culture and a negative image of the body and a dependence on food or other substances.
While these are serious issues however, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. Most of them describe their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they have control over it. Many of them also recognize their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy, 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 biological and gender distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.