ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. Many people do not easily fit into an unisexual sexuality. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before the age of 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is an issue for everyone. However, women may have more difficulty to achieve the focus they need, especially because symptoms often appear in different ways than for men.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization, for example. They're also more likely to become emotional and have trouble putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to a lack of productivity at work or home. They're also more likely to miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medications.
In addition to these natural gender differences, hormones of women can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in memory and learning, and hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain's functioning.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school, and at work. They may also have multiple comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
It is important that health professionals are aware of the many signs females suffering from ADHD exhibit. They need to rethink their methods for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD in order to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. That way, these patients will receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. adhd in young women is especially the case when they are interacting with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation that is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It is also linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues 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 with ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently viewed as more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they may be misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can increase their frustration over being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from medications that help them control their impulsivity. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine can reduce the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy may also be advised, which will aid people suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping skills.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It's also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day, and then share this information with their doctor to determine whether their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their work and personal lives. It may take longer to complete tasks and decrease their efficiency. They could also fail to meet deadlines and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Insanity can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and isolated. They can also feel misunderstood by their family and friends. The disorder can become more severe during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones shift and symptoms become more severe.
It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform with the norms of society and avoid being considered a failure. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It may also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious.
In the end women suffering from untreated ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This can affect their work, grades or overall reputation. It can also create problems for their personal lives. For instance it could lead to difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized can get help one-on-one from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach women how to stay organized by making an agenda and setting reminders. A qualified mental health professional can also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that will aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine that can cause adverse effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that affects decision making in many areas of life. A variety of instruments have been developed to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, in which people perceive ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It was also found to be linked to the fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women suffering from adhd the participants said they were not able to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding a job they liked 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 decide or were unable complete projects themselves, such as arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms like impulsivity and difficulty focusing or getting started on projects was preventing them from completing.
They had a difficult time keeping friendships and had difficulty relaxing, leading to problems with their mental health. They described high levels of stress and anxiety, a lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by adults and the media. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. This included a lack of career or romantic opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the signs that are a part of ADHD are considered to be less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for men and boys Some women choose to hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disorganization. They also may take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can result in low self-esteem, which can contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the precursor to better relationships and a positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth they tend to look for external things - such as relationships, careers wealth, power, and relationships to feel a sense of worthiness. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also result in an absence of communication within a relationship.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD often have feeling like they don't deserve the good things happening 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 an addiction of food or substances.
Despite these significant difficulties However, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how they feel about their ability to manage it. Some of them have identified their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination, as well as the ability to quickly become interested in new topics. They also talk about their individual struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well as cultural and family issues.