ADHD Traits In Women's History History Of 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 fall into a binary of sex. However, sex and gender influence how symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before 12 years of age and cause problems in more than one environment to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. Women might have a harder time to achieve the attention they require particularly since symptoms typically appear in different ways than for men.
Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and struggle to put things in perspective. These problems can create an inability to focus on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely skip doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications.
Women's hormones along with these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. The female hippocampus is larger which helps with memory and learning. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can also affect brain function.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school and at work. They might also struggle with a variety of comorbid disorders, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
For these reasons, it is essential for health professionals to be aware of the numerous indications that females with ADHD often show. They should rethink their strategies to diagnose and treat females with ADHD in order to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. That way, these patients will receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friends, a messy house or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence how women who suffer from ADHD will be treated. They could be misunderstood as they are thought to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can exacerbate their frustrations about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means that they have a difficult time making decisions and executing their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults with ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help them control their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can be effective as well. Behavioral therapy can also be advised, which will help people with ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can all be helpful in reducing anxiety and impulsiveness among people suffering from ADHD. It is also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and share the information with their doctor to assess whether their treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their professional and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete their tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They may also be late and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
A lack of organization 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 unloved because of this. Friends and family members may confuse them. Disorganization can be worse in menopausal or perimenopausal women, when hormones change and symptoms increase.
It is not unusual for women to mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It could also be a reason for why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more obvious.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might have a poor performance at school or at work. This can impact their work, grades or overall reputation. This could also cause issues for their personal life. For instance, it may lead to problems with their romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can help them learn strategies to get and stay organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and setting reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can increase the adverse effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that can affect decision-making across a wide range of aspects of our lives. A variety of instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and with the tendency to use worst-case scenario thinking, where people perceive ambiguous situations as dangerous. It is also believed to be linked with the fear of being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study on adult women with adhd that were interviewed the participants said they were not capable of making decisions about their professional and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships, and had trouble finding an occupation they liked. They often had to wait for others to make decisions, or were unable complete projects like organizing childcare. They often felt that they were held back by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had a difficult time finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which led to mental health issues. They described high levels of anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their difficulties, which was helpful for self-image because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. It also provided them with access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women had a number of positive characteristics but were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. add women included a lack of romantic or career opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women might hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they feel that these symptoms are less acceptable for boys and men. They also may take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can result in lower self-esteem and could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a prerequisite for better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things - like relationships, careers, wealth, and power - to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can lead to a lack in communication within the relationship.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, those with ADHD often struggle with feeling like they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with others. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment as well as a negative image of one's body and a dependence on food or other substances.
While these are major challenges, the women who participated in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage according to the way they perceive their ability to manage it. Several of them also identify their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD, including the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.