ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people don't fall into a binary of sex. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause problems in more than one setting to be able to receive an assessment.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and can affect both men and women. Women may have a tougher time focusing, especially since symptoms may manifest differently than men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate, which can lead to a lack productivity at home or work. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss doctor's appointments.
In addition to these innate variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms worse. The female hippocampus is larger which helps with memory and learning. Menstrual hormone fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can also affect brain function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school and at work. They could also struggle with a myriad of comorbid conditions, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is crucial that health care professionals recognize the numerous signs that females with ADHD show. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. That way, these patients can finally get the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with other people. This can lead emotional dysregulation which is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It can also be associated with negative life outcomes. These include low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact how women with ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently considered to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be viewed as overly emotional. This can cause them to feel more frustrated over being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This could make you want to indulge in more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from medications that help them manage their impulsivity. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in decrease the impulsive behavior and non-stimulant drugs like Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective too. People with ADHD might also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps them change their thinking patterns and develop better coping techniques.
A good night's sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help to control restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It's important to track their symptoms throughout the day and communicate the information with their doctor to determine if their treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for those suffering from ADHD and impact their work and personal lives. It may take longer to complete tasks and decrease their productivity. They might also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
A lack of organization can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. adhd in young women might feel lonely and unloved due to this. Friends and family may confuse them. Disorganization is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones are changing and symptoms become more severe.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to 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 girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more obvious.
Women with untreated ADHD might have a poor performance at school or at work. This can impact their work, grades or overall standing. It could also cause issues in their personal life like issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women who are chronically unorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by making a list and setting reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can cause an increase in the side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of daily life. Indecisiveness can be measured with several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness has also been linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It has also been proven to be linked with a fear of being wrong, which may be the reason why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty 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 struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had trouble finding an occupation they liked. They often had to wait for others to decide or were unable to complete projects on their own, for example, scheduling childcare. They often felt they were held back by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had a difficult time keeping relationships and had trouble relaxing, leading to problems with their mental health. They reported stress and anxiety, a lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles, which was helpful for self-image because it meant they were not blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women had a number of positive characteristics however, they struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their life. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe their behavior is less acceptable than for boys and men. Women who suffer from ADHD may internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can cause feelings of self-esteem loss that contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a key factor in healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - like careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships to feel a sense of worthiness. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in relationships, which could eventually end it.
Women with ADHD might also feel they do not deserve good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can result in negative work environments as well as a negative image of one's body and a dependence on food or other substances.
While these are major challenges however, the women who took part in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally describe their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they feel they have control over it. Some of them have identified personal strengths they believe are partially due to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to quickly become interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that includes family and cultural issues, as also gender and biological differences.