ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people do not fit into a sex binary. However, sex and gender influence how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple settings to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. Women may have a harder time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than they do in men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate, which can lead to a lack productivity at work or home. adhd in women signs not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medications.
In addition to these natural variations, hormones in women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is bigger, which aids in learning and memory. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause may also influence brain function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in relationships as well as at work. They could also struggle with a host of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
For these reasons, it is crucial for health care professionals to recognize the many indicators that females suffering from ADHD frequently exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnose and treat females with ADHD in order to recognize emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. This way, patients can finally get the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have trouble managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships and a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact how women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are perceived as more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can exacerbate their frustrations about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This could make you want to indulge in more cake or make a snide comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medication that helps them manage 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 efficient too. Behavioral therapy can also be advised, which will help those suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stress.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control restlessness and impulsiveness in people suffering from ADHD. It is also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and share this information with their physician to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people with ADHD and affect their professional and personal life. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They could also miss deadlines and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
An absence of organization could cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. In the end, they might feel lonely and alone. Friends and family may be confused about their feelings. The disorder can become more severe during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones shift and symptoms intensify.
It is not unusual for women to hide their ADHD symptoms to fit in with the norms of society and avoid being considered a failure. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. This could be a reason why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence when symptoms are more obvious.
In the end women who are not treated for ADHD might experience poor work or school performance. This can impact their career, grades or overall reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal life like issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with family members and friends members.
Women with chronic disorganization could get help one-on-one by a non-judgmental therapist. They can teach them strategies to keep their lives organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional could also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine which can trigger side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of life. Indecisiveness can be measured using several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret uncertain situations as threat. It was also discovered to be linked to a fear of making a mistake, which could explain why people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd the participants reported being not able to make decisions in their personal and professional lives. They had a difficult time finding a job they liked or to stay in, and found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They frequently were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable complete projects themselves, such as scheduling childcare. They often felt they were being held back by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsive.
They had trouble relaxing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health issues. They described stress and anxiety, 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. They also had access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women were very positive and able to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Some of the symptoms that make up ADHD are seen as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for boys and men and so women may are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. They also may internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can result in feelings of self-esteem loss which can lead to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a key factor in healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who lack self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves to find validation, including careers, relationships money, power, and relationships. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication in the relationship, which could eventually end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women with ADHD often have a feeling that they don't have enough of the good things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can result in toxic workplace cultures, a negative self-image, and a dependence on substances or food.
While these are serious issues, the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage according to the way they perceive their ability to control it. Several of them also identify personal strengths they believe are partly due to their ADHD such as high energy, creativity determination and the ability to be easily interested in new topics. They also talk about their own struggles within the context of a larger picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well cultural and family issues.