ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't belong to a sex binary. However, sex and gender influence how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. ADHD must show signs before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and it's an issue for everyone. But women might have a harder time to attain the focus they need particularly since symptoms typically appear in different ways than in men.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization for instance. They're also more likely to experience emotional stress and have trouble putting things into perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to a lack of productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with doctors.
The hormones of women, in addition to these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormone changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school and at work. They may also be struggling with a host of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is essential that health professionals are aware of the many signs females suffering from ADHD show. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that affect the severity of symptoms. In this way, these patients will receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD are more likely to have trouble managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. This includes low self-esteem, anxiety and depression as well as problematic relationships with loved ones which can lead to conflicts between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can also influence the way women with ADHD will be treated. Because they are typically perceived as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they could be misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. This can exacerbate their frustrations about living with untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD have impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have more trouble making decisions and following through in their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate statement in public.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help them control their impulses. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective too. People with ADHD may also benefit from behavioral therapy, which helps them alter their mental patterns and develop healthier coping techniques.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough rest can all help control anxiety and impulsiveness among people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day and then share the information with their doctor in order to assess whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for people with ADHD and affect their personal and professional lives. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks and their efficiency may be reduced. They could also fail to meet deadlines and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
Lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and isolated. They may also feel unloved by their family and friends. The disorder is more prevalent in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones are changing and symptoms increase.
It is not unusual for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to fit in with societal norms and avoid being judged. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It can also be the reason girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more obvious.
As a result women who are not treated for ADHD might experience poor work or school performance. This can affect their career, grades or overall reputation. This can also cause problems for their personal life. For instance it can cause difficulties with romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from one-on-one help from a nonjudgmental support person. They can teach women how to stay organized by making lists and setting reminders. A qualified mental health professional can recommend medication or lifestyle changes that will aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can increase the side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of daily 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 imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret uncertain situations as threat. It was also discovered to be linked to a fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study on adult women with adhd that were interviewed they said they were not capable of making decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding a job they liked or stayed in, and found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often were dependent on others to make decisions for them, or were unable to complete tasks such as scheduling childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like the inability to focus and impulsivity, or starting projects were holding them back.
They had trouble finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which led to mental health issues. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety and a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles which was beneficial for self-esteem because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. It also gave them access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.
The interviews revealed that the women were extremely positive and able to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. This included a lack of romantic or career opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women might hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe that their behavior is less acceptable than for boys and men. Women may internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in feelings of low self-esteem that contribute to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a precursor to healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for external things - such as relationships, careers wealth, power, and relationships to feel a sense of worthiness. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication in a relationship, which can eventually end it.
Women suffering from ADHD may also feel they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. adhd in women can lead to toxic work cultures and a negative self-image and an addiction to food or substances.
While these are serious issues, the women who participated in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage according to how they feel about their ability to control it. Some have identified their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to easily get interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues as in addition to gender and biological differences.