ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people do not fall into the binary gender. However, gender and sex can affect how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of childhood, usually before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and affects both men and women. Women may have a tougher time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely to become emotional and have trouble putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability of concentration which can lead to an inability to perform at work or at home. They're also more likely not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medication.
Women's hormones as well as these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is bigger which helps in learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause may also affect brain function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school and at work. They may also have a variety of comorbid disorders including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is essential that health care professionals recognize the numerous signs that females with ADHD show. They need to rethink their methods to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD in order to recognize hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. That way, these patients will receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with other people. This can result in emotional dysregulation, which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life consequences. This includes low self-esteem coexisting depression and anxiety and a strained relationship with a partner which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money and a messy home.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are perceived as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
Individuals with 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 intentions. This can make it hard to resist the temptation to eat a second piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults with ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help them manage their impulsivity. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy may also be recommended, which can help people with ADHD modify their thinking patterns and develop better ways to cope with stress.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in people with ADHD. It is important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and to share this data with their doctor so they can assess whether their treatment plan is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem in people with ADHD and can have a negative impact on their work and personal lives. It may take longer to complete tasks, and reduce their productivity. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.
An absence of organization could cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. People may miss important dates or misplace items like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved because of this. They can also feel misunderstood by family members and friends. Disorganization can be worse during perimenopause and menopause, when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.
It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform with societal norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It could be a reason for why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially evident in adolescence when symptoms become more obvious.
In the end, women with untreated ADHD might have poor work or school performance. This can have a negative impact on their job, grades or their image. recommended site could also cause issues in their personal life including issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with family members and friends members.
Women who are chronically disorganized can get help one-on-one by a non-judgmental therapist. They can teach them strategies to keep their lives organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and creating reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional could also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can trigger side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that can affect decision-making across a wide range of aspects of life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism, and the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be linked to a fear of making a mistake which could be the reason people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed, they described not being capable of making decisions regarding their personal and professional lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships, and had difficulty finding an occupation they liked. They often waited for others to make decisions for them, or were unable to complete tasks like scheduling childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like impulsivity and difficulty focusing or starting projects were holding them back.
They struggled to maintain friendships and had difficulty relaxing and recharging their mental health. They reported having high levels of anxiety and stress and sleeping less and a poor diet. They also reported feeling stigmatized by the media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties, which was helpful for self-esteem because it meant they weren't blamed for their condition. Additionally, it gave them access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.
The interviews showed that the women had many positive qualities, but they struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their life. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. add and adhd in women of self-esteem
Women can hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe these behaviors aren't as acceptable than for men and boys. They also may take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can cause lower self-esteem and could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth, they tend to seek external things - such as careers, relationships as well as wealth and power to feel a sense of worthiness. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can also result in the lack of communication in the relationship.
Women suffering from ADHD might also feel they do not deserve good things in life. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or "keep up" with other people. This can lead to toxic work cultures and a negative self-image and a dependence on food or substances.
Despite these difficulties the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either a blessing or a curse depending on how they feel about their ability to control it. Several of them also identify their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. They also describe their own struggles within the context of an overall picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well as cultural and family issues.