ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people do not belong to a sex binary. Genre and gender can influence how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before age 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to qualify for the diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and can affect both women and men. Women may find it more challenging to attain the focus they need particularly since symptoms typically manifest differently for men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and indecisive, for example. They also are more likely to be emotionally triggered and have trouble putting things into perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They're also more likely to 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. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, and hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain's functioning.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school and at work. They may also have various comorbidities like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for health care professionals to recognize the many indications that females with ADHD frequently exhibit. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that can influence symptom severity. In this way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, particularly when interacting with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life results. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression, problematic romantic relationships, which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with friendships, a messy home or personal space, inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are typically viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be viewed as being emotionally prone. This can increase their frustration in being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means they are more prone to making decisions and executing with their intentions. This could make you want to take a bite more cake or to make an inappropriate comment.
For people who suffer from ADHD medications can help to enhance their ability to control their behavior. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce the impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medicines like the guanfacine and clonidine are effective as well. People suffering from ADHD might also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which can help them change their thinking patterns and develop healthier methods of coping.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can all be helpful in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and then share the information with their doctor to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their work and personal lives. It may take longer to complete their tasks and reduce their efficiency. They could also fail to meet deadlines 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 possessions such as keys or purses. In the end, they might feel lonely and alone. Family and friends may also be confused about them. Disorganization is more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones are changing and symptoms increase.
It is not unusual for women to hide their ADHD symptoms to fit in with the norms of society and avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It can also be the reason girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence when symptoms are more obvious.
As a result women who are not treated for ADHD might experience poor work or school performance. This can affect their work, grades or overall standing. It can also create problems in their personal lives like issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women who are chronically unorganized can benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. They can help them learn strategies to stay organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause an increase in the side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that can affect decision-making in a variety of areas of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and with the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, where people perceive ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be linked to the fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed, they described not being in a position to make decisions about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often were dependent on others to make decisions for them, or were unable to finish projects like scheduling childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms like impulsivity and difficulty focusing or starting projects was preventing them from completing.
They struggled to maintain friendships and were unable to relax, leading to problems with their mental health. adhd in women signs reported having high levels of stress and anxiety, an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles which was beneficial to their self-esteem because it meant they were not blamed for their condition. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic and able to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. This included a lack of possibilities for romance or work, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Self-esteem issues
Women might hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe these symptoms are less acceptable than for boys and men. They also may internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can result in feelings of low self-esteem that can cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the precursor to better relationships and a positive outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - like careers, relationships as well as wealth and power - to feel worthy. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication in a relationship, which can ultimately end it.
Women suffering from ADHD might also feel they are not worthy of good things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can result in an unhealthy work environment as well as a negative image of one's body and a dependence on foods or substances.
While these are serious issues however, the women who took part in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally describe their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they feel they can control it. Several of them also identify personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD which include the ability to be creative, high energy, determination, and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique struggles as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.