ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't fall into a binary of sex. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. The symptoms must be present prior to 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one setting to qualify for an assessment.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. Women might have a harder time to attain the focus they require due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest in different ways in men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, as an example. They're also more likely to be emotionally triggered and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on work, resulting in a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
The hormones that women experience as well as these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain's function.
In the end, women with undiagnosed ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They might also struggle with a myriad of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
For these reasons, it is essential for health professionals to be aware of the various indicators that females suffering from ADHD often exhibit. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. The patients will then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It can also be linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friends, a messy house or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women who suffer from ADHD will be treated. Because they are frequently viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be misinterpreted or dismissed as overly emotional. This can increase their frustration over being diagnosed with ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate statement in public.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from medication that helps to control their tendency to be impulsive. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help decrease the impulsive behavior and non-stimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can be effective too. People suffering from ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them alter their mental patterns and develop more effective strategies for coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and communicate this data with their doctor to assess whether their treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem in people with ADHD, and can affect their personal and professional life. It may take them longer to complete tasks and reduce their productivity. They might also be late and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
An absence of organization could cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose items like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated due to this. They may also feel that they are not understood by their family and friends. Disorders are more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms increase.
It is not unusual for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to fit in with society's norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It could also be the reason women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more apparent.
As a result, women with untreated ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This can negatively impact their work, grades, or even their reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal life like issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with friends and family members.
Women who are chronically disorganized can get help one-on-one from a nonjudgmental support person. They can help them learn strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and making reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can recommend medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. adult adhd symptoms women can include eating small, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can cause adverse effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of life. Several instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism, and the tendency to employ worst-case scenario thinking, where people interpret ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It has also been proven to be associated with the fear of being wrong, which could be the reason why it is common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the qualitative study on adult women with adhd interviewed the participants said they were not capable of making decisions about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships, and struggled to find a job that they liked. They frequently were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable complete tasks on their own, like arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms like inattention and impulsivity or difficulty getting started on projects were preventing them from progressing.
They struggled to keep friendships and were unable to relax which led to issues with their mental health. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety and a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles which was beneficial to their self-image because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. Additionally, it gave them access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.
The interviews showed that the women had a number of positive characteristics but were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. These included a lack possibilities for romance or work, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable for boys and men. Women may take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can cause lower self-esteem and could cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the basis for better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things - including relationships, careers, wealth, and power to feel worthy. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication in the relationship, which could eventually end it.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD often have feeling like they don't deserve the good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can result in toxic workplace cultures and a negative self-image and a dependence on substance or food.
Although these are significant challenges however, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them say that they view their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they have control over 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 as well as the ability to easily get interested in new topics. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a larger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.