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 belong to a sex binary. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of childhood, usually before age 12. ADHD must show signs before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. But women may find it more challenging to achieve the attention they require, especially because symptoms often manifest differently in men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, as an example. They're also more likely to become emotional and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability of concentration which can lead to an inability to perform at home or work. They're also more likely skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
The hormones of women along with these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, and hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's functioning.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school and at work. They might also struggle with a host of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is crucial that health care professionals recognize the many clues females with ADHD display. They should rethink their strategies to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD in order to recognize emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. The patients will then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a key component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem coexisting depression and anxiety, problematic romantic relationships that can result in conflicts between partners, problems with friendships, a messy house or personal space, an inability manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently considered to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they may be misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and executing their intentions. This could make you want to eat more cake or make a rude comment.
For people who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to improve their ability to control their impulsivity. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Patients with ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them alter their mental patterns and develop healthier coping techniques.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in people suffering from ADHD. It is important to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this data with their doctor to assess whether their treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue in people with ADHD, and can affect their personal and professional life. It may take longer to complete tasks, and reduce their efficiency. They could also miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
An absence of organization could cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose possessions such as keys or purses. In the end, they might feel lonely and isolated. They can also feel misunderstood by family members and friends. Disorganization can be worse in menopausal or perimenopausal women, when hormones change and symptoms increase.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms in order to fit into societal norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can result in 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 are more apparent.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might have a poor performance at work or in school. This could affect their work, grades or overall standing. It can also cause problems in their personal lives, such as difficulties with romantic partners, or strained relationships with friends and family members.
Women who are chronically disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental friend. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating an agenda and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional could also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that will help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can worsen the negative effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of daily life. Indecisiveness can be measured with several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret ambiguous circumstances as being dangerous. It has also been found to be correlated with the fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd that were interviewed they said they were not in a position to make decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships, and struggled to find a job that they liked. They frequently waited for other people to decide or were unable complete projects on their own, for example, organizing childcare. They often felt they were being restricted by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsivity.
They had difficulty in establishing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health problems. They described having high levels of anxiety and stress, an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by other adults and by the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD which helped them boost their self-esteem as they were not blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women had many positive qualities, but they were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. This included a lack of career or romantic opportunities and difficulties in maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women may conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable for men and boys. adhd in women uk may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can cause feelings of self-esteem loss which can lead to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for external things - such as careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also result in a lack in communication within a relationship.
Women with ADHD may also feel they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with other people. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment and a negative image of the body, and an addiction to foods or substances.
Although these are significant challenges but the women who participated in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. Most of them describe their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they believe they can manage it. Some have identified their own strengths that they believe are partially due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination and the ability to easily get fascinated by new subjects. They also talk about their individual struggles in the context of the larger picture, which includes biological and gender differences, as well as cultural and family issues.