ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people don't belong to a sex binary. However, sex and gender influence how symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be eligible for an assessment.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem for all genders. But women may have more difficulty to attain the attention they require due to the fact that symptoms usually appear in different ways than in men.
attention deficit in women are more likely than men to be unorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely to experience emotional stress and struggle to put things into perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate and can result in a lack productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip doctor's appointments.
The hormones that women experience as well as these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps with memory and learning. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.
As a result, women with undiagnosed ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They might also suffer from multiple comorbid disorders including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is important that health care professionals recognize the many signs females suffering from ADHD show. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. Patients can then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, especially when interacting with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women with ADHD are treated. Because signs and symptoms of adhd in women are typically considered to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can exacerbate their frustrations about living with untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they have more trouble making decisions and following through in their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the temptation to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from medication that helps them control their impulses. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Non-stimulants like clonidine and guanfacine are also effective. Patients with ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps them alter their mental patterns and develop healthier methods of coping.
Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and practicing meditation can also help in reducing impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It is important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and to share this information with their physician so they can assess whether the treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue for people suffering from ADHD, and can affect their work and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They could also be late and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose possessions such as keys or purses. In the end, they might feel lonely and alone. Friends and family may misunderstand them. Disorders are more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones are changing and symptoms increase.
It is not unusual for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to fit in with the norms of society and avoid being judged. adhd symptoms in adult women can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It may also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more apparent.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This can have a negative impact on their work, grades, or reputation. It can also cause problems in their personal life including issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with friends and family members.
Women with chronic disorganization can get help one-on-one by a non-judgmental therapist. They can teach them strategies to stay organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and creating reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional may recommend medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can increase the side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of daily life. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to employ worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret ambiguous situations as threatening. It has also been proven to be linked with the fear of being wrong, which could help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd interviewed the participants said they were not capable of making decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They often were dependent on others to decide or were unable to complete tasks on their own, like organizing childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or getting started on projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had trouble finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which led to mental health problems. They reported anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by adults and the media. 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 appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that the women were very optimistic however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. The women reported the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Self-esteem issues
Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe these behaviors aren't as acceptable for men and boys. Women may take on the characteristics of ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss that 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 do not have a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves to find validation, including relationships, careers as well as money and power. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause a lack of communication in a relationship, which can ultimately end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, those with ADHD often have feeling like they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can result in toxic workplace cultures as well as a negative self-image and an addiction of food or substances.
While these are serious issues however, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them describe their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they feel they can control it. Several of them also identify their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy, determination, and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. They also discuss their unique struggles in the context of a larger picture that includes biological and gender distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.