Is ADHD Traits In Women The Best There Ever Was?
ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. Many people do not fit neatly into an unisexual gender. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. Women may find it more challenging to get the attention they require, especially because symptoms often manifest differently for men.
Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and struggle to put things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability to focus and can result in an inability to perform at work or at home. They are also more likely to miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
The hormones that women experience as well as these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, and hormone changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause 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 could also be suffering from various comorbidities including anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
It is essential that health professionals understand the numerous signs that females with ADHD display. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that influence the severity of symptoms. This way, patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with others. This can cause to emotional dysregulation that is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It can also be linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, coexisting depression and anxiety and a strained relationship with a partner that can result in conflicts between partners, problems with friendships, a messy house or personal space, an inability manage time or money and a messy home.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women with ADHD will be treated. Because they are typically considered to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be misinterpreted or dismissed as overly emotional. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have more trouble making decisions and following through in 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 people who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to increase their ability to manage their behavior. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. adhd in women signs can also be advised, which will aid people suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stress.
Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and practicing meditation can help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and to share this data with their doctor to assess whether their treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with ADHD and can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. It could take them longer to complete their tasks and decrease their productivity. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
An absence of organization could make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and alone. They may also feel unloved by family and friends. The disorder can become more severe in menopausal or perimenopausal women when hormones shift and symptoms become more severe.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It may also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly true in adolescence, when symptoms are more apparent.
As a result women who are not treated for ADHD may have trouble with their work or school performance. This could 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 disorganized can get help one-on-one from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by making a list and establishing reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine that can increase side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that can affect decision-making in a variety of areas of life. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It was also discovered to be associated with the fear of making a mistake which could help explain why people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed they said they were not able to make choices about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find a job they liked or to stay in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They frequently waited for other people to decide or were unable to finish projects themselves, such as arranging childcare. They often felt that they were hindered by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had a difficult time keeping friendships and were unable to relax, leading to problems with their mental health. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety as well as sleeping less, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by other adults and by the media. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them boost their self-esteem as they weren't blaming others. They also had access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that the women were very optimistic however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. These included a lack of career or romantic opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the symptoms that make up ADHD are seen as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for males and females Some women choose to conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. They also may be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can result in low self-esteem, which could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the basis for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships, money, and power. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication in the relationship, which could ultimately end it.
Women suffering from ADHD may also feel that they do not deserve good things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with other people. This can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and a dependence on food or substances.
Although these are significant challenges however, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either a blessing or a curse according to how they feel about 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 become easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a larger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as well as biological and gender differences.