15 Things You've Never Known About ADHD Traits In Women
ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't fit into a sex binary. However, gender and sex can influence how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in early childhood, typically before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and affects both men and women. Women might have a harder time to attain the attention they require due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest differently in men.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
The hormones that women experience, in addition to these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. The female hippocampus is larger, which aids in memory and learning. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also affect brain function.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school and at work. They might also struggle with a variety of comorbid disorders, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
It is crucial that health professionals are aware of the numerous signs that females with ADHD display. add symptoms in adult women must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. Patients can then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD are more likely to have trouble managing their emotions, particularly when interacting with others. This can lead emotional dysregulation which is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It can also be associated with negative outcomes in life. These include poor self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women who suffer from ADHD will be treated. Because they are frequently considered to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they can be misinterpreted or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can cause them to feel more frustrated over being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate statement in public.
For adults with ADHD medications can help to improve their ability to control their impulsivity. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can be efficient too. Patients with ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which can help them change their mental patterns and develop more effective coping techniques.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in people suffering from ADHD. It is important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and to share the information with their doctor so they can assess whether the treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with ADHD and can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They may also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. In the end, they might feel isolated and lonely. They may also feel that they are not understood by their family and friends. The disorder can become more severe during perimenopause and menopause when hormones shift and symptoms intensify.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It can also be a reason for why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD especially during adolescence, when symptoms are more obvious.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may not perform as well at school or at work. This can affect their career, grades or overall reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal life, such as difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with friends and family members.
Women with chronic disorganization could receive one-on-one assistance by a non-judgmental therapist. They can help them learn strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can recommend medications and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine, which can increase side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that influences decision-making across a wide range of aspects of life. Indecisiveness can be measured with several 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 apply worst case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret ambiguous situations as dangerous. It was also found to be associated with a fear of making a mistake which could explain why people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of women who have adhd in their adult lives participants, they said they were incapable of making decisions in their personal and professional lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had difficulty finding an occupation they liked. They frequently were dependent on others to decide or were unable complete tasks on their own, like organizing childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms like inattention and impulsivity or difficulty starting projects were holding them back.
They had a difficult time relaxing and maintaining friendships which led to mental health problems. They described stress and anxiety, a sleeping insufficiently and having poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles, which was helpful for self-image because it meant they were not blamed for their condition. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women were very positive however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. The women complained of the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Certain of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are seen as less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for men and boys Some women choose to conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. Women may take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in feelings of self-esteem loss that can cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a key factor in healthier 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 relationships, careers as well as wealth and power to feel a sense of worthiness. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication within the relationship, which could eventually end it.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel they do not deserve good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and an addiction of substances or food.
Despite these challenges However, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. Most of them describe their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they believe they can control it. Some of them have identified their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to effortlessly become interested in new topics. In addition, they describe their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues as well as biological and gender differences.