ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't belong to a sex binary. However, sex and gender influence the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one environment to be eligible for an assessment.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and can affect both men and women. Women might have a harder time to get the focus they require due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest in different ways in men.
Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They are also more likely to become emotional and have trouble putting things into perspective. adhd symptoms in adult women can lead to an inability to concentrate which can lead to a lack productivity at home or work. They're also more likely not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medications.
In addition to these inherent gender differences, hormones of women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is bigger which helps in learning and memory. Menstrual hormone fluctuations as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause may also affect brain function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school and at work. They might also suffer from multiple comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is important that health professionals are aware of the many signs females suffering from ADHD display. They need to rethink their methods to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD in order to recognize emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. Patients can then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, particularly when interacting with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression that coexist and a strained relationship with a partner that can result in conflicts between partners, problems with friendships, a messy house or personal space, inability to manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women with ADHD will be treated. Because they are typically considered to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they can be viewed as being emotionally prone. This can cause them to feel more frustrated at living with untreated ADHD.
People with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they are more prone to making decisions and executing in their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or to make an inappropriate statement in public.
For people who suffer from ADHD, medication can help to improve their ability to manage their impulsivity. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective as well. Patients with ADHD might also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which can help to change their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping techniques.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician to assess whether their treatment regimen is effective.
3. add symptoms in adult women is a common problem for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their work and personal lives. It can take longer to complete their tasks and reduce their productivity. They may also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.
Lack of organization can also cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose possessions such as keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and isolated. Friends and family may be confused about their feelings. The disorder can become more severe during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles as hormones alter and symptoms increase.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms to fit into societal norms or to avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could also be a reason why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
As a result women who are not treated for ADHD might have poor academic or work performance. This could affect their job, grades or their image. This can also cause problems for their personal life. For example, it may lead to problems with their romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from one-on-one help by a non-judgmental therapist. They can provide strategies to keep their lives organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can recommend medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can worsen the adverse effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and the tendency to apply worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It was also discovered to be linked to a fear of making a mistake, which could help explain why people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd interviewed the participants said they were not able to make choices about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had trouble finding an occupation they liked. They frequently were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable complete projects themselves, such as arranging childcare. They often felt that they were being hindered by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsive.
They had a difficult time keeping friendships and were unable to relax and recharging their mental health. They described having high levels of anxiety and stress, an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-esteem because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. It also provided them with access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women were extremely positive, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women can hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe these behaviors aren't as acceptable than for men and boys. They also may be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can cause low self-esteem, which can contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a key factor in healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, like jobs, relationships money, power, and relationships. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also result in an absence of communication within a relationship.
Women with ADHD might also feel they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can lead to toxic work cultures and a negative self-image and an addiction to substance or food.
Despite these challenges However, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either a blessing or a curse according to how they feel about their ability to manage it. A few of them also point out their own strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD which include high energy, creativity, determination, and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.