ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people don't easily fit into a binary sex. However, sex and gender influence how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in early childhood, typically before age 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to qualify for an assessment.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and can affect both women and men. Women may have a harder focus, particularly since symptoms can appear differently than in males.
Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They also are more likely to become emotional and have difficulty putting things into perspective. These problems can lead to an inability to focus and can result in a lack productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with doctors.
In addition to these innate gender differences, hormones of women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps with learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also affect brain function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also struggle with a variety of co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
In these circumstances, it's critical for health professionals to be aware of the various clues that females with ADHD frequently exhibit. They need to rethink their methods to diagnose and treat females with ADHD to recognize emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. adult add women , these patients can finally get the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD tend to have difficulty 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 results. This includes low self-esteem coexisting depression and anxiety and a strained relationship with a partner that can result in conflict between partners, issues with friendships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are often perceived as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they may be misinterpreted or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can increase their frustration about living with untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and executing their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or make an inappropriate statement in public.
Adults with ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help them control their impulsivity. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help reduce impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medications such as Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective as well. People with ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which can help them alter their thinking patterns and develop better strategies for coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control anxiety and impulsiveness among people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to track their symptoms throughout the day, and then share the information with their doctor to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for those suffering from ADHD and can affect their professional and personal life. It can take longer to complete tasks, and decrease their efficiency. They may also miss deadlines and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
Inability to organize can cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose possessions such as keys or purses. They may feel lonely and isolated as a result. They may also feel unloved by family and friends. The disorder can become more severe in menopausal or perimenopausal women as hormones alter and symptoms increase.
It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with the norms of society and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It can also be a reason why girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD particularly during adolescence, when symptoms become more apparent.
In the end women suffering from untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This can negatively impact their work, grades, or reputation. It can also create problems in their personal life, such as difficulties with romantic partners, or strained relationships with friends and family members.
Women who are constantly disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can help them learn strategies to remain organized, for example, making an agenda of the daily tasks and creating reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional could also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can worsen the negative effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that influences decision-making in a variety of areas of our lives. Several 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 employ worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It was also found to be associated with a fear of making a mistake which could be the reason people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study on adult women with adhd that were interviewed they said they were not in a position to make decisions about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships, and had difficulty finding jobs they enjoyed. They often waited for other people to decide or were unable to finish projects themselves, such as organizing childcare. They often felt that they were hindered by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had difficulty in establishing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health issues. They reported having high levels of anxiety and stress and an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by their peers and the media. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming themselves. They also had access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that the women were extremely positive however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. These included a lack of possibilities for romance or work as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. an unclean home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women may hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe these behaviors aren't as acceptable for men and boys. They may also be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can cause feelings of self-esteem issues which can lead to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a precursor to healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships money, power, and relationships. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also lead to an absence of communication within a relationship.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often struggle with a feeling that they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. navigate to these guys can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and an addiction to food or substances.
While these are major challenges but the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. Most of them say that they view their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they believe they can manage it. Many of them also recognize personal strengths they believe are partly due to their ADHD, including high energy, creativity determination and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well cultural and family issues.