ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people do not belong to a sex binary. Sexe and gender can affect the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of childhood, usually before age 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple settings to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both men and women. Women may have a tougher focus, particularly since symptoms can appear differently than in males.
Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. 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 lack of productivity at work or home. They're also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medication.
Women's hormones along with these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which aids in learning and memory, and hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain's function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in their relationships and at work. They might also suffer from multiple comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is crucial that health professionals are aware of the many signs females suffering from ADHD exhibit. They should rethink their strategies to diagnose and treat females with ADHD in order to take into account hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. That way, these patients can finally get the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, especially when interacting with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. conversational tone can also be linked to negative life outcomes. These include low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friendships, 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 might be misunderstood since they are perceived as more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can increase their frustration in being diagnosed with ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat a second piece of cake or to make an inappropriate comment in public.
For adults with ADHD medication can assist to enhance their ability to manage their behavior. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medicines like Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective too. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will help people with ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop more effective ways of coping.
Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and practicing meditation can also help in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It's also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and then share this information with their doctor to determine whether their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from ADHD and can have a negative impact on their personal and professional life. It could take longer to complete tasks and reduce their efficiency. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.
A lack of organization can cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. People may not remember important dates or even lose things like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated as a result. They may also feel unloved by family members and friends. Disorganization can be worse during perimenopause and menopause, when hormones change and symptoms increase.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being considered a failure. 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 especially true in adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women with untreated ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This can impact their work, grades or overall standing. It could also cause issues in their personal life like issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends members.
Women who are chronically disorganized can get help one-on-one by a non-judgmental therapist. They can help them learn strategies to keep their lives organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and creating reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional can also recommend medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy and avoiding caffeine, which can cause an increase in the adverse effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of our lives. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness has also been linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret uncertain situations as being threat. It has also been found to be linked with the fear of being wrong, which may be the reason why it is common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd interviewed, they described not being capable of making choices about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find an occupation they enjoyed or to stay in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They frequently had to wait for others to make decisions or were unable to complete projects on their own, for example, arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or starting projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had trouble finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive, which led to mental health problems. They reported high levels of anxiety and stress, an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by adults and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD, which helped them boost their self-esteem as they were not blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. The women reported an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women can conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe their behavior is less acceptable for boys and men. Women who suffer from ADHD might take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to lower self-esteem and could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a precursor to healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves to find validation, including relationships, careers, money, and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also result in the lack of communication in a relationship.
Women suffering from ADHD might also feel they are not worthy of good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with other people. This can result in negative work environments, a negative body image and an addiction to foods or substances.
Despite these significant issues 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 how they feel about their ability to control it. Several of them also identify personal strengths they believe are partly due to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy, determination, and the ability to get easily interested in new topics. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as also gender and biological differences.