ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't belong to a sex binary. Sexe and gender can affect the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one environment to qualify for an assessment.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and affects both women and men. But women might have a harder time to attain the focus they require particularly since symptoms typically appear in different ways than in men.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They also are more likely to become emotional and have trouble putting things into perspective. These problems can lead to an inability of concentration, which can lead to an inability to perform at home or work. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with doctors.
Women's hormones as well as these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus that aids in memory and learning, and hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain function.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also suffer from multiple comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is essential that health professionals are aware of the numerous signs that females with ADHD exhibit. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that affect the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It is also linked to negative life outcomes. These include low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friendships and a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. adhd symptoms in women test could be misunderstood as they are thought to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and executing their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or to make an inappropriate statement in public.
For those who suffer from ADHD medications can help to increase their ability to control their behavior. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to decrease the impulsive behavior and non-stimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can be effective as well. Behavioral therapy can also be advised, which will help people with ADHD change their thinking patterns and develop more effective ways of coping.
Sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet, and practicing meditation can also help to control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day, and to share this information with their doctor to determine whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their personal and professional lives. It may take longer to complete their tasks and decrease their productivity. They may also fail to meet deadlines and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Insanity can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might not remember important dates or even lose items like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and isolated. They can also feel misunderstood by their family and friends. Disorganization can be worse during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones shift and symptoms become more severe.
It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with societal norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It could also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly evident in adolescence when symptoms are more apparent.
Women with untreated ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This could affect their career, grades or overall reputation. It can also cause problems in their personal life, such as difficulties with romantic partners, or strained relationships with friends and family members.
Women with chronic disorganization could receive one-on-one assistance from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can provide strategies to get and stay organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and creating reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional may recommend changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine that can cause adverse effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of daily 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 has also been linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It has also been proven to be associated with a fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women suffering from adhd the participants 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 jobs they enjoyed. They often waited for others to make decisions, or were unable to complete tasks like arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as inattention and impulsivity or difficulty starting projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had a difficult time keeping friendships and had difficulty relaxing and recharging their mental health. They reported stress and anxiety, as well as a sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles which was beneficial to their self-esteem because it meant they were not blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that the women were very optimistic, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. These included a lack romantic or career opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women can cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe these symptoms are less acceptable than for men and boys. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss that can cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the basis for better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships as well as money and power. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause a lack of communication in the relationship, which could ultimately end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women with ADHD frequently struggle with feeling like they don't deserve the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or to "keep up" with others. This can lead to a toxic work culture, a negative body image, and an addiction to food or substances.
Despite these major difficulties, women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. Most of them identify their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they feel they can manage it. Some have identified their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD. signs of add in adult women include high energy, creativity and determination and the ability to effortlessly become fascinated by new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that includes family and cultural issues, as well as biological and gender differences.