ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people do not fit neatly into a binary sex. Genre and gender can influence how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before age 12. The symptoms must be present prior to 12 years of age and cause difficulties in multiple settings to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and can affect both genders. Women may have a difficult time focusing, especially since symptoms may manifest differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and struggle to put things in perspective. These problems can create an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with doctors.
The hormones of women, in addition to these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which aids in memory and learning, and hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain function.
This is why women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD can have major struggles in relationships, at school and at work. They might also suffer from multiple comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
For undiagnosed adhd in women , it is essential for health professionals to be aware of the various indicators that females suffering from ADHD often exhibit. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD in order to take into account hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. This way, patients will finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It can also be linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friends, a messy house or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently considered to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be viewed as overly emotional. This can lead to their frustration at living with untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means they have a harder time making decisions and executing their intentions. This can make you want to eat more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
For those who suffer from ADHD, medication can help to improve their ability to manage their behavior. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to decrease the impulsive behavior and non-stimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can be effective as well. Patients with ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps them change their thinking patterns and develop more effective coping techniques.
Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can help control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and then share the information with their doctor to determine whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from ADHD and can have a negative impact on their work and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete their tasks and their efficiency may be reduced. They might also fail to meet deadlines and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and isolated. They may also feel unloved by family members and friends. Disorganization is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.
It is not unusual for women to hide their ADHD symptoms to fit in with society's norms and avoid being judged. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It may also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
As a result women who are not treated for ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This could negatively impact their job, grades or even their reputation. This could also cause issues for their personal life. For instance it can cause issues with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization can get help one-on-one from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach them strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making lists of daily tasks and creating reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that affects decision making in many areas of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and the tendency to apply worst case scenario thinking, where people perceive ambiguous situations as threatening. It is also believed to be associated with anxiety about being wrong, which may help explain why it is common for people with adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women suffering from adhd the participants reported being unable to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They struggled to find a job they liked or to stay in, and found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They often had to wait for others to decide or were unable to complete projects on their own, for example, scheduling childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or starting projects was preventing them from completing.
They struggled to maintain friendships and were unable to relax and recharging their mental health. They reported stress and anxiety, as well as a lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by media and adults. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they were not blaming themselves. They also had access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
adhd in older women revealed that women were very positive and able to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Some of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are seen as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for men and boys, so some women hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD may take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can cause low self-esteem, which can contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a precursor to healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look outside themselves for validation, like jobs, relationships money, power, and relationships. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in a relationship, which can ultimately end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women with ADHD frequently struggle with the feeling that they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up" or to please. This can result in toxic workplace cultures, a negative self-image, and an addiction to substances or food.
Despite these significant challenges, women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the way they perceive their ability to control it. Some have identified their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD. These include the ability to be creative, energetic and determination, as well as the ability to easily get fascinated by new subjects. In addition, they describe their individual struggles as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues as in addition to gender and biological differences.