ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people do not fall into a binary of sex. Genre and gender can influence the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to qualify for a diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. Women may have a harder to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can appear differently than in men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, as an example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss appointments with their doctor.
In addition to these natural variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, as well as hormonal 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 might also struggle with a host of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is crucial that health care professionals recognize the numerous signs that females with ADHD display. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other factors that can influence symptom severity. This way, patients can finally get the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD tend to have difficulty managing their emotions, particularly when interacting with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. This includes low self-esteem coexisting depression and anxiety and a strained relationship with a partner, which can lead to conflicts between partners, problems with friendships, a messy house or personal space, an inability manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women with ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are perceived as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can increase their frustration at being diagnosed with ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD have impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This could cause you to want to take a bite more cake or to make a snide comment.
Adults with ADHD are able to benefit from medication that helps them manage their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can be effective as well. Patients with ADHD might also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps to change their mental patterns and develop better coping techniques.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough rest can all help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share the information with their doctor in order to assess whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with ADHD, and can affect their personal and professional life. It may take them longer to complete their tasks and decrease their efficiency. They may also fail to meet deadlines and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
Lack of organization can also make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and alone. Friends and family members may confuse them. add and adhd in women is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms in order to fit into societal norms or to avoid being judged. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It could be a reason why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more apparent.
As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD might have poor academic or work performance. This can negatively impact their career, grades, or their image. It can also create problems in their personal life including issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with friends and family members.
Women who are chronically disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can teach them strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making lists of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that will aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, including 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, which is where people interpret uncertain situations as threatening. It was also found to be linked to the fear of making a mistake which could be the reason people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd, interviewees reported being unable to make decisions in their personal and professional lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often had to wait for others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects like scheduling childcare. They often felt they were being hindered by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsivity.
They had difficulty in establishing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health issues. They described having high levels of anxiety and stress, a lack of sleep and a poor diet. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles which was beneficial for self-esteem because it meant they were not blaming themselves. They also had access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that the women had many positive qualities, but they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their lives. These included a lack of possibilities for romance or work, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women might conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that these behaviors aren't as acceptable than for men and boys. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can cause feelings of low self-esteem that contribute to depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - including careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships - to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also result in the lack of communication in relationships.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, those with ADHD often have feeling like they don't deserve the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or to "keep up" with other people. This can result in an unhealthy work environment, a negative body image and an addiction to foods or substances.
While these are major challenges however, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally identify their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can control it. Some of them have identified strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination as well as the ability to easily get fascinated by new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues as also gender and biological differences.