ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. Many people do not easily fit into an unisexual gender. However, sex and gender influence the way symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in early childhood, typically 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. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD, and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have a tougher time focusing, especially since symptoms may manifest differently than they do in men.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization, for example. They also are more likely to become emotional and have trouble putting things into perspective. These problems can lead to an inability to focus and can result in an absence of productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss appointments with their doctor.
In addition to these natural differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms worse. More hints is larger which helps in memory and learning. Menstrual hormone fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school and at work. They might also struggle with a variety of comorbid conditions, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
It is essential that health professionals understand the many signs females suffering from ADHD display. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. Patients can then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a key component of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friends as well as a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are perceived as more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is affected in people with ADHD. This means they have a harder time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the temptation to eat a second piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate statement in public.
For those who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to enhance their ability to control their behavior. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like the guanfacine and clonidine are effective too. Behavioral therapy is also suggested, which can help those suffering from ADHD modify their thinking patterns and learn healthier coping skills.
A good night's sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can help control restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It's important to track their symptoms throughout the day and share the information with their doctor to determine if the treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their personal and professional lives. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks and their efficiency may be reduced. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
Lack of organization can also make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. People may miss important dates or misplace things like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and isolated due to this. They may also feel that they are not understood by family members and friends. Disorganization is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms increase.
It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. This could be a reason for why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence when symptoms are more evident.
In the end women who are not treated for ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This can impact their job, grades, or their overall image. It can also cause problems in their personal lives like issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with family and friends members.
Women who are constantly disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 support of a non-judgmental person. They can help women learn to stay organized by creating a list and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional may also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can cause adverse effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of daily life. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It was also discovered to be associated with a fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of women who have adhd in their adult lives participants, they described being unable to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or to stay in, and were difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They frequently were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable to complete tasks on their own, like arranging childcare. They often felt like they were being restricted by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsivity.
They struggled to keep friendships and were unable to relax which led to issues with their mental health. add symptoms in adult women reported high levels of stress and anxiety, a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by adults and the media. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD, which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women had a number of positive characteristics, but they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women can conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that their behavior is less acceptable for boys and men. They may also be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can cause feelings of self-esteem loss that contribute to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a precursor to better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things - like careers, relationships as well as wealth and power to feel a sense of worthiness. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication within the relationship, which could ultimately end it.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often have the feeling that they don't have enough of the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with other people. This can result in negative work environments and a negative image of the body and an addiction to food or other substances.
While these are serious issues however, the women who took part in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally say that they view their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they feel they have control over it. Many of them also recognize their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy, determination, and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues as well as biological and gender differences.