ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. A lot of people do not fall into a binary sexuality. Sexe and gender can affect how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause difficulties in more than one environment to qualify for the diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. Women may have a difficult focus, particularly since symptoms can manifest differently than males.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, as an example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability to concentrate which can lead to an absence of productivity at home or work. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with their doctor.
In addition to these inherent differences, women's hormones can make ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is bigger, which aids in learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause may also influence brain function.
This is why women with undiagnosed ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in relationships as well as at work. They could also be suffering from a variety of comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
For these reasons, it is essential for health care professionals to be aware of the various indicators that females suffering from ADHD often exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. Patients can then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they interact with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a key element of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, anxiety and depression that coexist, problematic romantic relationships, which can lead to conflicts between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women with ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are perceived as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is affected in people with ADHD. This means they have more trouble making decisions and executing in their intentions. This could make you want to indulge in more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
For those who suffer from ADHD, medication can help to increase their ability to control their impulses. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medications such as Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective too. People suffering from ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps to change their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping techniques.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all help to control restlessness and impulsiveness in people suffering from ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this data with their doctor so they can assess whether their treatment plan is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their professional and personal lives. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks and their efficiency may be diminished. They could also fail to meet deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and isolated. Friends and family may be confused about them. Disorganization can be worse in menopausal or perimenopausal women, when hormones change and symptoms intensify.
It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with the norms of society and avoid being considered a failure. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It can also be the reason girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence when symptoms are more obvious.
In the end women who are not treated for ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This can affect their job, grades, or overall standing. It can also cause problems in their personal life, such as difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends members.
Women with chronic disorganization can receive one-on-one assistance from a nonjudgmental support person. They can teach women how to stay organized by creating an agenda and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional could also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that will aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can worsen the side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that can affect decision-making across a wide range of aspects of life. Several instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret ambiguous circumstances as being threatening. It was also found to be linked to the fear of making a mistake which could help explain why people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women with adhd participants, they said they were not able to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships, and struggled to find a job that they liked. They often were dependent on others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects like scheduling childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects were holding them back.
They had trouble relaxing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health problems. They described high levels of anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their struggles, which was helpful for self-image because it meant they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. These included a lack of romantic or career opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women may hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe that these behaviors aren't as acceptable for men and boys. They also may take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can lead to lower self-esteem and could cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - like relationships, careers as well as wealth and power - to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also result in a lack in communication within relationships.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often have feeling like they don't deserve the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can cause toxic workplaces and a negative self-image and an addiction of food or substances.
Despite click through the following website page who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how they feel about their ability to manage it. Some have identified strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to quickly become interested in new topics. They also describe their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as well as biological and gender differences.