Everything You Need To Learn About ADHD Traits In Women
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 fit into a sex binary. Sexe and gender can affect the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple settings to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the core of ADHD, and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have a difficult time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than in men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They also are more likely to become emotional and have trouble putting things into perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on work, resulting in an inability to perform at work or home. They are also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medications.
The hormones of women, in addition to these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. The female hippocampus is larger, which aids in learning and memory. Menstrual hormone fluctuations as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal cycles can influence brain function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in relationships as well as at work. They could also struggle with a variety of comorbid conditions, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is important that health professionals are aware of the many signs females suffering from ADHD display. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnose and treat females with ADHD in order to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. In this way, these patients will receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life outcomes. This can include low self-esteem, anxiety and depression that coexist and a strained relationship with a partner that can result in violence between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes can also affect how women with ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are thought to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated over living with untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and executing their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public.
For adults with ADHD medications can help to enhance their ability to control their impulsivity. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy is also recommended, which can help those suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.
A good night's sleep, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can also help in reducing impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and communicate this information with their physician so they can assess whether their treatment plan is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue for people suffering from ADHD, and can affect their personal and professional life. It could take longer to complete tasks and decrease their productivity. They may also be late and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
An absence of organization could cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose things like purses or keys. They might feel lonely and isolated as a result. They can also feel misunderstood by their family and friends. Disorganization can be worse during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones shift and symptoms increase.
It is not unusual for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It could also be the reason girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence where symptoms become more apparent.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may not perform as well at work or in school. This can affect their work, grades, or reputation. This could also cause issues for their personal life. For instance it could lead to difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help from a nonjudgmental support person. They can help them learn strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making an agenda of the daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional can also suggest medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause an increase in the adverse effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects 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 has also been linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret ambiguous circumstances as being threat. It was also discovered to be related to the fear of making a mistake, which could explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women suffering from adhd, interviewees described being unable to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships, and had trouble finding an occupation they liked. They often were dependent on others to make decisions for them, or were unable complete projects such as organizing childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or getting started on projects were holding them back.
They had trouble finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which led to mental health problems. They reported having high levels of stress and anxiety, an inability to sleep and a poor diet. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD and helped improve their self-esteem because they were not blaming themselves. It also gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women had many positive qualities however, they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their lives. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that these symptoms are less acceptable than for boys and men. Women who suffer from ADHD may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in feelings of self-esteem issues that contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the basis for better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look outside themselves for validation, like jobs, relationships, money, and power. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication in relationships, which could eventually end it.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel that they do not deserve good things in life. adhd in older women can manifest as a need to please or to "keep up" with others. This can result in negative work environments, a negative body image, and an addiction to food or other substances.
Although these are significant challenges but the women who participated in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how they feel about their ability to control it. Some of them have also identified strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination and the ability to quickly become interested in new topics. In addition, they describe their unique struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues as well as biological and gender differences.