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 the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of early childhood, typically before age 12. ADHD must present symptoms before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple settings to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and affects both genders. Women may have a difficult focus, particularly since symptoms may manifest differently than 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 focus on tasks, leading to a lack of productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medications.
The hormones of women as well as these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which aids in memory and learning, and hormonal changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain's function.
In the end, women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in their relationships and at work. They may also have multiple comorbid disorders including depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for health professionals to recognize the many indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other factors that affect the severity of symptoms. Patients can then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation, which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life results. This includes low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
high functioning adhd in women can also influence how women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can exacerbate their frustrations about living with untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have a difficult time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or to make an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from medications that help to control their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medicines like the guanfacine and clonidine are efficient too. Behavioral therapy can also be advised, which will help people with ADHD alter their thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stress.
Sleeping enough, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can also help in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and then share the information with their doctor to determine whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people with ADHD and affect their professional and personal life. It can take longer to complete tasks, and reduce their productivity. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.
A lack of organization can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. They might miss important dates or misplace items like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and alone. They may also feel that they are not understood by family and friends. The disorder can become more severe in menopausal or perimenopausal women when hormones shift and symptoms become more severe.
It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with society's norms and avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It can also be the reason girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence when symptoms become more apparent.
In the end women who are not treated for ADHD may have trouble with their work or school performance. This can impact their career, grades or their overall image. It can also create problems in their personal lives including issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends members.
Women who are chronically disorganized can receive one-on-one assistance by a non-judgmental therapist. They can provide strategies to keep their lives organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and making reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional may recommend medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can cause an increase in the adverse effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that influences decision-making in a variety of areas of our lives. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret ambiguous circumstances as threatening. It is also believed to be correlated with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed, they described not being able to make decisions about their personal and professional lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships, and had trouble finding a job that they liked. They frequently were dependent on others to decide or were unable to finish projects on their own, for example, arranging childcare. They often felt that they were being restricted by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsive.
They had trouble finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which resulted in mental health issues. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety as well as sleeping less, and poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming themselves. They also had access to appropriate treatment strategies.
women and adhd revealed that women were very positive, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Self-esteem issues
Women may hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they feel that their behavior is less acceptable than for men and boys. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can cause low self-esteem, which could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, like relationships, careers money, power, and relationships. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also result in a lack in communication within the relationship.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, those with ADHD frequently struggle with the feeling that they don't deserve the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can result in an unhealthy work environment as well as a negative image of one's body, and an addiction to food or other substances.
Despite these challenges However, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally describe their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can control it. Some have identified strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination, as well as the ability to effortlessly become fascinated by new subjects. They also describe their individual struggles in the context of a larger picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well cultural and family issues.