ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. Many people don't easily fit into the binary gender. However, sex and gender can affect how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in early childhood, typically before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one setting to qualify for a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and affects both genders. Women may have a difficult time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than in men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, as an example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability of concentration which can lead to an absence of productivity at home or work. They are also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medication.
In addition to these innate differences, women's hormones can make ADHD symptoms more severe. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps with learning and memory. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause may also affect brain function.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school, and at work. They may also have various comorbidities including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is crucial that health professionals understand the many clues females with ADHD show. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. In this way, these patients can finally get the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with other people. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life results. These include low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact the way women with ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are thought to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated in living with untreated ADHD.
People with ADHD have impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have more trouble making decisions and sticking in their intentions. This can make you want to indulge in more cake or make a snide comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medication that helps them manage their impulsivity. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can be effective too. People with ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps them alter their mental patterns and develop better methods of coping.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can all help to control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It is important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and share the information with their doctor to assess whether their treatment plan is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people with ADHD and impact their work and personal lives. It could take them longer to complete tasks, and reduce their productivity. They could also be late or overwhelmed each day.
Insanity can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and unloved because of this. Friends and family may confuse their feelings. Disorganization is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It could be a reason why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms are more apparent.
As a result, women with untreated ADHD may have trouble with their work or school performance. This can impact their work, grades or overall standing. This can also cause problems in their personal lives. For instance, it may lead to problems with their romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.
Women who are constantly disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by making a list and establishing reminders. A qualified mental health professional could also suggest medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can trigger side 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 measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and with the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret uncertain situations as potentially dangerous. It is also believed to be correlated with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd, interviewees described being not able to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships, and had trouble finding jobs they enjoyed. They frequently had to wait for others to make decisions or were unable complete tasks on their own, like scheduling childcare. They often felt they were being restricted by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsivity.
They struggled to keep friendships and had difficulty relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They described having high levels of anxiety and stress, a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by their peers and the media. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming others. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women had a number of positive characteristics but were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different 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
Certain of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are seen as less acceptable socially for women and girls than they are for men and boys and so women may conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. add women may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in low self-esteem, which can contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look outside themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships money, power, and relationships. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can lead to a lack in communication within relationships.
Women suffering from ADHD may also feel that they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can result in an unhealthy work environment as well as a negative image of one's body, and an addiction to food or substances.
Despite these significant issues, women who took part in this study found many positive aspects to living with ADHD. The majority of them identify their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they believe they have control over it. A few of them also point out personal strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy, determination, and the ability to become easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues as well as biological and gender differences.