ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people don't fall into a binary of sex. However, sex and gender can affect how symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is adhd in adult women symptoms that is recognized in the early years of childhood, usually before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause difficulties in more than one setting to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD and is a problem for all genders. Women may have a harder focus, particularly since symptoms can appear differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They're also more likely to experience emotional stress and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability of concentration which can lead to a lack productivity at work or home. They're also more likely to miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
In addition to these inherent differences, women's hormones can make ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps with memory and learning. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause may also affect brain function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school and at work. They might also suffer from multiple comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
For these reasons, it is crucial for health professionals to be aware of the numerous clues that females with ADHD often exhibit. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. This way, patients will finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with other people. This can cause to emotional dysregulation, which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It can also be linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression that coexist and a strained relationship with a partner, which can lead to violence between partners, problems with friendships, a messy home or personal space, inability to manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are thought to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.
People with ADHD have impaired impulse control which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and following through with 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 suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help to control their impulses. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medicines like Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective as well. Behavioral therapy is also suggested, which can help those suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop more effective ways of coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can all help to control anxiety and impulsiveness among people suffering from ADHD. It's important to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this data with their doctor to determine if their treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for people with ADHD and impact their work and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete tasks, and their productivity may be diminished. They might also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.
Insanity can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose belongings like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated as a result. Family and friends may also misunderstand their feelings. Disorders are more common during perimenopause or menopause when hormones change and symptoms increase.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. This could be a reason why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious.
Women with untreated ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This can have a negative impact on their work, grades, or reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal life including issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women who are chronically disorganized can get help one-on-one by a non-judgmental therapist. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating a list and establishing reminders. A licensed mental health professional could also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that will aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can trigger side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of life. Indecisiveness is measured by various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and with the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It is also believed to be linked with the fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd participants, they reported being unable to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or to stay in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often had to wait for others to decide or were unable to finish tasks on their own, like arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects was preventing them from completing.
They had a difficult time finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive, which led to mental health problems. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by adults and the media. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD, which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming themselves. It also gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women had a lot of positive qualities but were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. This included a lack of possibilities for romance or work, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Self-esteem issues
Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for boys and men and so women may hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorganization. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to lower self-esteem and could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things - like careers, relationships, wealth, and power to feel a sense of worthiness. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication within relationships, which could ultimately end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women who have ADHD frequently struggle with feeling like they don't deserve the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to toxic work cultures and a negative self-image and an addiction of substances or food.
Despite these challenges the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They described ADHD as a blessing or a curse according to how they feel about their ability to control it. A few of them also point out their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD, including high energy, creativity determination and the ability to become easily interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.