ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people do not fit neatly into the binary gender. Genre and gender can influence how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple environments to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and can affect both men and women. But women may find it more challenging to get the attention they require due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest differently for men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus which can lead to a lack productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
In addition to these inherent gender differences, hormones of women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is bigger which helps with memory and learning. Menstrual hormone fluctuations as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also affect brain function.
As a result, women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in their relationships and at work. They might also struggle with a host of comorbid disorders, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is crucial that health professionals understand the many clues females with ADHD display. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other factors that can influence symptom severity. That way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life results. These include low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women with ADHD will be treated. Because they are typically perceived as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be misinterpreted or dismissed as overly emotional. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
People with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have more trouble making decisions and sticking in their intentions. This could cause you to want to take a bite more cake or to make a rude comment.
For people who suffer from ADHD, medication can help to improve their ability to control their impulsivity. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine can reduce the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy can also be advised, which will aid people suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can all help to control anxiety and impulsiveness among people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician to determine whether their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from ADHD, and can affect their professional and personal lives. It could take them longer to complete tasks and reduce their productivity. They could also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
An absence of organization could cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important dates or lose items like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and isolated. Friends and family may misunderstand them. The disorder is more prevalent during perimenopause or menopause when hormones change and symptoms increase.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It could be a reason why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially evident in adolescence when symptoms become more obvious.
In the end women suffering from untreated ADHD might have poor academic or work performance. This can affect their career, grades or overall standing. adhd in adult women test could also cause issues for their personal lives. For instance, it may lead to difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 support of a non-judgmental person. They can provide strategies to keep their lives organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and creating reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional may recommend changes in lifestyle and medications to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that affects decision making in many areas of our lives. A variety of instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and with the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be associated with the fear of making a mistake which could help explain why people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd interviewed they said they were not able to make decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They frequently waited for other people to decide or were unable to finish tasks on their own, like scheduling childcare. They often felt they were being hindered by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had difficulty in establishing and maintaining friendships which led to mental health problems. They reported having high levels of stress and anxiety, a lack of sleep and a poor diet. They also reported feeling stigmatized by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their struggles which was beneficial for self-esteem since it meant they were not blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women were extremely positive, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. The women reported an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women can cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that these behaviors aren't as acceptable than for men and boys. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to lower self-esteem and could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the precursor to better relationships and a positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things - like relationships, careers as well as wealth and power to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can also lead to a lack in communication within the relationship.
Women with ADHD may also feel that they do not deserve good things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up" or to please. This can lead to a toxic work culture as well as a negative image of one's body, and an addiction to foods or substances.
Despite these significant issues However, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as positive or negative depending on the way they perceive their ability to manage it. Some of them have also identified personal strengths 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 in the context of the larger picture, which includes biological and gender differences, as well as cultural and family issues.