ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't fit into a sex binary. However, gender and sex can influence the way symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. Women may have a difficult to concentrate, particularly because symptoms may manifest differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, as an example. They're also more likely to experience emotional stress and have difficulty putting things into perspective. These issues can cause an inability of concentration, which can lead to an absence of productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss doctor's appointments.
In addition to these inherent variations, hormones in women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps with learning and memory. Menstrual hormone fluctuations as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.
In the end, women with undiagnosed ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in their relationships, and at work. They may also be struggling with a myriad of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is important that health professionals understand the numerous signs that females with ADHD show. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD in order to recognize hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. This way, patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation, which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life outcomes. navigate here include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult romantic relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, problems with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also influence how women with ADHD will be treated. Because they are frequently viewed as more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they could be misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can increase their frustration over being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, referred to 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 urge to eat another piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medication that helps them manage their impulsivity. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. People with ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which can help them alter their thinking patterns and develop better methods of coping.
Sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help in reducing impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and to share this information with their physician to determine if the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue in people with ADHD and can impact their professional and personal lives. They may find it difficult to complete their tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They might also fail to meet deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. They might miss important dates or misplace things like keys or purses. In the end, they might feel isolated and lonely. Friends and family members may misunderstand them. Disorganization can be worse during perimenopause and menopause as hormones alter and symptoms intensify.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. This could be a reason why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women with untreated ADHD might have a poor performance at work or in school. This can affect their job, grades, or their overall image. It can also create problems in their personal lives. For example it can cause difficulties with romantic partners or strain relationships with family members and friends.
Women who are chronically unorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 support of a non-judgmental friend. They can help women learn to stay organized by creating an agenda and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional could also suggest medication and lifestyle changes to aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can increase side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that can affect decision-making in a variety of areas of life. A variety of instruments have been developed to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret ambiguous situations as dangerous. It was also found to be related to the fear of making a mistake which could help explain why people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd that were interviewed they said they were not in a position to make decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had difficulty finding a job that they liked. They often had to wait for others to make decisions, or were unable to finish projects like arranging childcare. They often felt that they were being held back by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsive.
They had trouble in establishing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health problems. They reported high levels of anxiety and stress, lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-esteem since it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women were very positive however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women might hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe their behavior is less acceptable than for men and boys. Some women may take on the characteristics of ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can cause low self-esteem, which can contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - like careers, relationships as well as wealth and power - to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can also lead to a lack in communication within relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD might also feel they are not worthy of good things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and an addiction of substance or food.
While these are major challenges, the women who participated 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, depending on whether they feel they can control it. Several of them also identify personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD, including high energy, creativity determination, and the ability to become easily interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues as also gender and biological differences.