The Secret Secrets Of ADHD Traits In Women
ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer 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. However, sex and gender can affect the way symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of early childhood, typically before age 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be eligible for an assessment.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is the core of ADHD and it's a problem for all genders. But women may find it more challenging to achieve the attention they require due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest differently in men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and indecisive, for example. 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 concentrate on work, which can lead to a lack of productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medication.
The hormones that women experience along with these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, and hormone changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain's functioning.
This is why women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in relationships and at work. They could also be suffering from various comorbidities including depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
It is important that health professionals are aware of the many signs females suffering from ADHD exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnose and treat females with ADHD in order to take into account hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. Patients can then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they are interacting with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact how women with ADHD are treated. Because they are typically considered to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be viewed as being emotionally prone. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD have impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and executing their intentions. This can make you want to eat more cake or make a rude comment.
add symptoms in women with ADHD can benefit from medication that helps to control their impulsivity. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective too. Patients with ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps them alter their thinking patterns and develop better coping techniques.
Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and practicing meditation can also help to control restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It is important to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this data with their doctor to assess whether the treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for those suffering from ADHD and can affect their work and personal lives. They may have difficulty to complete tasks and their efficiency may be diminished. They may also miss deadlines and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
Insanity can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important dates or lose items like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and unloved because of this. They may also feel unloved by their family and friends. The disorder can become more severe during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones shift and symptoms increase.
It is not unusual for women to hide their ADHD symptoms to conform with societal norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It can also be a reason for why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence when symptoms are more obvious.
Women who are not treated for ADHD might have a poor performance at school or at work. This can have a negative impact on their work, grades, or reputation. This can also cause problems in their personal lives. For example it can cause issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help by a non-judgmental therapist. They can help women learn to stay organized by creating a list and establishing reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can recommend medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can increase side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured using several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as potentially dangerous. It has also been found to be linked with the fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of women who have adhd in their adult lives, interviewees described being unable to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships, and struggled to find an occupation they liked. They often were dependent on others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects such as organizing childcare. They often felt that they were hindered by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsive.
They had trouble in establishing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health issues. They reported having high levels of stress and anxiety as well as a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles which was beneficial for self-image because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. They also had access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews showed that the women had many positive qualities but struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their life. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women may conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that these symptoms are less acceptable than for men and boys. Women may internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting or burning). This can cause feelings of self-esteem issues that contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a prerequisite for better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, such as careers, relationships as well as money and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also result in an absence of communication within a relationship.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD frequently struggle with a feeling that they don't deserve the good things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can lead to toxic work cultures as well as a negative self-image and a dependence on substance or food.
Despite these significant difficulties the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as a blessing or a curse depending on the way they perceive their ability to control it. Many of them also recognize their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD which include high energy, creativity, determination and the ability to get easily interested in new topics. In addition, they describe their unique struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as well as biological and gender differences.