ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. Many people don't easily fit into an unisexual sexuality. However, gender and sex influence how symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one setting to be able to receive the diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD and is an issue for everyone. Women may find it more challenging to achieve the focus they need due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest in different ways in men.
attention deficit disorder in women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus which can lead to a lack productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with their doctor.
The hormones of women as well as these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, as well as hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's functioning.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school, and at work. They could also be suffering from multiple comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
In these circumstances, it's critical for health care professionals to be aware of the numerous clues that females with ADHD frequently exhibit. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that can influence symptom severity. Patients can then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD are often unable to managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a key element of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. These include low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are perceived as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can lead to their frustration at living with untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This could make you want to eat more cake or make a rude comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medications that help to control their impulsivity. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy may also be recommended, which can help those suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping skills.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It is important to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share the information with their doctor to assess whether the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their professional and personal life. They may have trouble to complete their tasks, and their productivity may be reduced. They could also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.
A lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may miss important dates or misplace items like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and alone. They may also feel unloved by family members and friends. It is more difficult to organize in menopausal or perimenopausal women when hormones shift and symptoms become more severe.
It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to fit in with societal norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It can also be a reason why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD might experience poor work or school performance. This could negatively impact their job, grades or reputation. This can also cause problems for their personal lives. For instance it can cause issues with romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help by a non-judgmental therapist. They can provide strategies to get and stay organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and creating reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional can recommend medication or lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can increase the side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that can affect decision-making in many areas of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and with the tendency to use worst-case scenario thinking, where people perceive ambiguous situations as dangerous. It has also been found to be linked with the fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd the participants described being incapable of making decisions in their work and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships, and had difficulty finding an occupation they liked. They often had to wait for others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects such as arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms such as inattention and impulsivity or difficulty beginning projects were holding them back.
They had a difficult time in establishing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health issues. They reported having high levels of anxiety and stress and an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by adults and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD which helped them boost their self-esteem as they were not blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women were extremely positive, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. The women complained of the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Self-esteem issues
Women might cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that their behavior is less acceptable than for men and boys. Women might be able to internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can cause low self-esteem, which could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - including relationships, careers wealth, power, and relationships - to feel worthy. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication within the relationship, which could eventually end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women who have ADHD often struggle with the feeling that they don't have enough of the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can result in toxic workplace cultures as well as a negative self-image and a dependence on substance or food.
Despite these significant 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 depending on how they feel about their ability to control it. Several of them also identify personal strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD, including the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to become easily interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as well as biological and gender differences.