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 don't fit into a sex binary. Genre and gender can influence the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple environments to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD, and it's a problem for all genders. Women may find it more challenging to get the focus they require particularly since symptoms typically manifest in different ways in men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely to become emotional and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability of concentration which can lead to an inability to perform at work or home. They are also more likely to miss doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications.
The hormones that women experience, in addition to these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, as well as hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain's function.
This is why women with undiagnosed ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They might also suffer from a variety of comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is essential that health professionals understand the many signs females suffering from ADHD exhibit. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD to recognize emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. Patients can then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially the case when they interact with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friends as well as a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. This can exacerbate their frustrations about living with untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they have more trouble making decisions and executing in their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.
For people who suffer from ADHD, medication can help to enhance their ability to manage their impulses. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like the guanfacine and clonidine are effective as well. People with ADHD might also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps them change their mental patterns and develop better strategies for coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in people suffering from ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and communicate the information with their doctor to determine if the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem for people suffering from ADHD, and can affect their professional and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete tasks and their efficiency may be reduced. adhd symptoms in women may also be late or overwhelmed each day.
A lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important dates or lose things like purses or keys. In the end, they might feel lonely and alone. Friends and family members may confuse them. Disorders are more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It could also be the reason girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence when symptoms become more apparent.
As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD might experience poor work or school performance. This can affect their work, grades or their overall image. It can also create problems in their personal lives like issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women who are constantly disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by making an agenda and establishing reminders. A qualified mental health professional may recommend medication or lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can worsen the negative 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 linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret uncertain situations as being dangerous. It is also believed to be associated with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the qualitative study of women who have adhd in their adult lives participants, they reported being not able to make decisions in their work and personal lives. add in adult women struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had trouble finding a job that they liked. They frequently had to wait for others to decide or were unable to complete projects themselves, such as scheduling childcare. They often felt they were being hindered by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had a difficult time keeping friendships and were unable to relax, leading to problems with their mental health. They reported having high levels of stress and anxiety and a lack of sleep and a poor diet. They also described feeling stigmatized by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties which was beneficial for self-esteem since it meant they were not blaming themselves. It also gave them access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.
The interviews revealed that the women were very positive, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. This included a lack of career or romantic opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Some of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are viewed as less acceptable socially for women and girls than they are for men and boys and so women may are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. Women may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in feelings of self-esteem issues which can lead to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the precursor to better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth they tend to look for external things - such as careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships to feel a sense of worthiness. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause a lack of communication in a relationship, which can eventually end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women who have ADHD often have a feeling that they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire for others to "keep up" or to please. This can result in toxic workplace cultures, a negative self-image, and an addiction of food or substances.
Despite these significant issues the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as a blessing or a curse depending on the way they perceive their ability to control it. Some have identified their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination and the ability to quickly become fascinated by new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes family and cultural issues, as well as biological and gender differences.