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, gender and sex influence how symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of early childhood, typically before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in more than one setting to be eligible for an assessment.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and affects both men and women. Women may find it more challenging to attain the focus they require due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest in different ways for men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with doctors.
The hormones that women experience along with these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. The female hippocampus is larger which helps in learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopausal cycles can affect brain function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in their relationships, and at work. They could also be suffering from various comorbidities including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for health care professionals to be aware of the numerous indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other variables that can influence symptom severity. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they interact with other people. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also linked to negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friends as well as a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because simply click the next internet page are typically viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they can be misinterpreted or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can cause them to feel more frustrated in 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 that they have more trouble making decisions and following through with their goals. simply click the next internet page could cause you to want to eat more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
For people who suffer from ADHD, medication can help to enhance their ability to manage their behavior. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine may reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Patients with ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them alter their thinking patterns and develop more effective coping techniques.
A good night's sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help to control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and then share this information with their physician in order to assess whether their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for those suffering from ADHD and impact their professional and personal life. They may have trouble to complete tasks and their productivity could be diminished. They may also be late or overwhelmed each day.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may not remember important dates or even lose items like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and unloved because of this. Friends and family members may confuse their feelings. The disorder is more prevalent in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. This could be a reason for why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more evident.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may not perform as well at school or at work. This could negatively impact their work, grades, or even their reputation. This could also cause issues in their personal lives. For example, it may lead to problems with their relationships with their partners or breakups with family members and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can help them learn strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and creating reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can cause adverse effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that affects decision making in many areas of life. Indecisiveness can be measured using several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret uncertain situations as being threatening. It has also been proven to be correlated with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people with adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the qualitative study on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed the participants said they were not able to make choices about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often were dependent on others to take decisions, or were unable to complete tasks like organizing childcare. They often felt they were being hindered by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsive.
They had difficulty finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which led to mental health issues. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety and sleeping less, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles which was beneficial to their self-esteem since it meant they were not blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews showed that the women had many positive qualities but struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women might cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that their behavior is less acceptable than for boys and men. Women who suffer from ADHD might internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in feelings of low self-esteem that contribute to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the precursor to better relationships and a positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - including relationships, careers wealth, power, and relationships to feel a sense of worthiness. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication in the relationship, which could eventually end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, those with ADHD often have a feeling that they don't have enough of the good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with other people. This can cause toxic workplaces and a negative self-image and an addiction to food or substances.
Although these are significant challenges but the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how they feel about their ability to control it. A few of them also point out personal strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their own struggles within the context of the larger picture, which includes biological and gender differences, as well cultural and family issues.