The Next Big New ADHD Traits In Women Industry
ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people do not fall into a binary of sex. Genre and gender can influence the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. adhd in women signs must be present before age 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to qualify for an assessment.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. Women may have a harder time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than males.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on work, resulting in a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss appointments with their doctor.
The hormones of women as well as these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps with learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also affect brain function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school and at work. They might also struggle with a myriad of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
This is why it's critical for health professionals to be aware of the numerous clues that females with ADHD often exhibit. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients will receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with other people. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently perceived as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they are more prone to making decisions and sticking in their intentions. This can make you want to indulge in more cake or make a rude comment.
For people who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to increase their ability to manage their impulses. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy may also be recommended, which can help people with ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop better ways to cope with stress.
A good night's sleep and eating a balanced diet, and practicing meditation can also help in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and communicate this information with their physician to determine if their treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from 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 diminished. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.
A lack of organization can cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. In the end, they might feel isolated and lonely. They can also feel misunderstood by their family and friends. Disorders are more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones are changing and symptoms increase.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. This could be a reason why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly true in adolescence, when symptoms are more apparent.
As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This can affect their job, grades, or their overall image. It could also cause issues in their personal life like issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with friends and family members.
Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from one-on-one help by a non-judgmental therapist. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating a list and establishing reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional may recommend changes in lifestyle and medications to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause adverse effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It was also discovered to be related to the fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women suffering from adhd participants, they said they were not able to make decisions in their personal and professional lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had trouble finding a job that they liked. They often waited for other people to decide or were unable to complete projects on their own, for example, arranging childcare. They often felt that they were being hindered by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsivity.
They struggled to maintain friendships and had difficulty relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They described stress and anxiety, as well as a lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by the media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles, which was helpful for self-image because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. They also had access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women had a number of positive characteristics however, they struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. These included a lack romantic or career opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Self-esteem issues
Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that these symptoms are less acceptable than for men and boys. They also may internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can lead to low self-esteem, which could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the precursor to better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - including relationships, careers, wealth, and power to feel a sense of worthiness. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in the relationship, which could eventually end it.
Women with ADHD might also feel they are not worthy of good things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can result in toxic workplace cultures, a negative self-image, and a dependence on substance or food.
While these are serious issues but the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either a blessing or a curse depending on how they feel about their ability to manage it. Many of them also recognize personal strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD which include the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. They also talk about their own struggles within the context of an overall picture that includes biological and gender distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.