ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people do not fall into a binary of sex. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple settings to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. But women may find it more challenging to get the attention they require particularly since symptoms typically manifest differently for men.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely to be emotionally triggered and struggle to put things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability to concentrate, which can lead to an inability to perform at home or work. They're also more likely to skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medications.
Women's hormones, in addition to these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps in memory and learning. Menstrual hormone fluctuations as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also affect brain function.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also suffer from a variety of comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
In these circumstances, it's critical for health care professionals to be aware of the various indicators that females suffering from ADHD frequently exhibit. They need to rethink their methods for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD in order to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. That way, these patients can finally get the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It is also linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression as well as problematic relationships with loved ones that can result in violence between partners, problems with friendships, a messy house or personal space, an inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are thought to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can increase their frustration in being a victim of untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD have impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they are more prone to making decisions and executing with their goals. This can make you want to eat more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from medications that help them manage their impulses. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Patients with ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps them change their thinking patterns and develop better methods of coping.
A good night's sleep, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can also help to control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to track their symptoms throughout the day, and share this information with their physician to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their personal and professional life. It can take them longer to complete tasks, and reduce their efficiency. They might also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
An absence of organization could make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. adhd in adult women symptoms may not remember important dates or even lose things like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved as a result. Friends and family members may confuse them. Disorders are more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.
It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. This could also be the reason women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. adhd in adult women symptoms is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might have a poor performance at school or at work. This can have a negative impact on their career, grades, or reputation. This could also cause issues in their personal lives. For example it can cause issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.
Women who are chronically unorganized could benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. They can provide strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and making reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional may recommend medications and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can increase the adverse effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that can affect decision-making across a wide range of aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness has also been associated with neuroticism and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret ambiguous circumstances as being threatening. It was also discovered to be linked to a 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 about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find a job they liked or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often were dependent on others to decide or were unable complete projects on their own, for example, organizing childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms like impulsivity and difficulty focusing or starting projects were preventing them from progressing.
They struggled to maintain friendships and were unable to relax and recharging their mental health. They reported high levels of anxiety and stress as well as a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by other adults and by the media. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they were not blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for men and boys and so women may hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disorganization. Women may internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in feelings of low self-esteem that can cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, such as relationships, careers money, power, and relationships. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication in relationships, which could ultimately end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women with ADHD frequently struggle with a feeling that they don't deserve the good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can cause toxic workplaces as well as a negative self-image and an addiction of substances or food.
Despite these major issues, women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. They described ADHD as a blessing or a curse according to the way they perceive their ability to control it. Many of them also recognize personal strengths they believe are partly due to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. They also talk about their own struggles within the context of a larger picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well cultural and family issues.