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 do not fall into a binary of sex. However, inattentive add in women and gender can influence the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause difficulties in more than one setting to be eligible for the diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and it's an issue for everyone. Women may have a tougher focus, particularly since symptoms can appear differently than in males.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization, for example. They also are more likely to experience emotional stress and have difficulty putting things into perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus on work, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or home. They're also more likely to miss doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications.
The hormones of women along with these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormonal changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain's function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also struggle with a myriad of comorbid conditions, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is crucial that health care professionals recognize the many signs females suffering from ADHD display. They need to rethink their methods for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD to recognize hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. In this way, these patients will receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It is also linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, anxiety and depression that coexist as well as problematic relationships with loved ones which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with friendships, a messy house or personal space, an inability manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can also influence the way women with ADHD are treated. Because they are often perceived as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be viewed as being emotionally prone. This can increase their frustration 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 difficult time making decisions and executing their intentions. This could make you want to take a bite more cake or to make an inappropriate comment.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from medications that help to control their impulses. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce the impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medicines like clonidine and guanfacine can be efficient too. Patients with ADHD may also benefit from behavioral therapy, which helps them alter their thinking patterns and develop more effective methods of coping.
Sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It's also a great idea to track their symptoms throughout the day, and then share this information with their physician in order to assess whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their professional and personal life. They may find it difficult to complete their tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They might also be late and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Lack of organization can also make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. They might miss important dates or misplace things like purses or keys. They might feel lonely and isolated due to this. Family and friends may also be confused about them. The disorder is more prevalent in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead 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 during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may not perform as well at work or in school. This can affect their career, grades, or even their reputation. It can also create problems for their personal life. For instance it could lead to difficulties with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women who are constantly disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can provide 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 that can help minimize ADHD symptoms. adhd in adult women test may include eating small, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine, which can increase side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism, and the tendency to employ worst-case scenario thinking, in which people interpret uncertain situations as potentially dangerous. It has also been proven to be correlated with a fear of being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people with adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd that were interviewed the participants said they were not in a position to make decisions about their professional and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships, and had trouble finding a job that they liked. They often waited for others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects like arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms like inattention and impulsivity or difficulty beginning projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had difficulty relaxing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health problems. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety, sleeping less and a poor diet. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles which was beneficial to their self-image because it meant they were not blamed for their own problems. They also had access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women had many positive qualities, but they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their lives. The women complained of the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable than for men and boys. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can cause feelings of low self-esteem that can cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a precursor to better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships money, power, and relationships. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication within a relationship, which can ultimately end it.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD often struggle with the feeling that they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can result in negative work environments and a negative image of the body and an addiction to food or substances.
Despite these significant issues, women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally describe their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they feel they can control it. Some of them have identified personal strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to easily get interested in new subjects. They also talk about their own struggles within the context of a larger picture that includes biological and gender distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.