ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people don't fall into a binary of sex. However, gender and sex influence the way symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before the age of 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and affects both women and men. Women may have a tougher focus, particularly since symptoms may manifest 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 be emotionally triggered and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on work, resulting in an inability to perform at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip doctor's appointments.
In addition to these inherent differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which aids in memory and learning, and hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's functioning.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school and at work. They might also struggle with a myriad of comorbid disorders, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
It is crucial that health professionals understand the numerous signs that females with ADHD display. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other variables that affect the severity of symptoms. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD are more likely to have trouble managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friendships and a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are often considered to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be viewed as overly emotional. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is affected in people with ADHD. This means they have a harder time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.
For people who suffer from ADHD medications can help to increase their ability to control their impulses. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. Patients with ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which can help them change their thinking patterns and develop more effective methods of coping.
Sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help to control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It is important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician so they can assess whether the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for people suffering from ADHD and impact their professional and personal life. It may take longer to complete their tasks and decrease their efficiency. They might also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.
A lack of organization can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important dates or lose things like purses or keys. high functioning adhd in women might feel lonely and unloved due to this. They may also feel unloved by their family and friends. Disorganization is more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It may also be the reason women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
In the end, women with untreated ADHD might experience poor work or school performance. This could affect their job, grades, or overall standing. It can also create problems in their personal lives including issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women who are chronically disorganized can receive one-on-one assistance from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach them strategies to stay organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional can also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that will help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can increase side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that can affect decision-making across a wide range of aspects of life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, in which people perceive ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It is also believed to be associated with a fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd interviewed they said they were not in a position to make decisions about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find a job they liked or to stay in, and found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They often had to wait for others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects like arranging childcare. They often felt they were hindered by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had difficulty relaxing and maintaining friendships which led to mental health problems. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety and sleeping less, and poor nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by their peers and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD, which helped them boost their self-esteem as they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews showed that the women had a lot of positive qualities, but they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. These included a lack of possibilities for romance or work, difficulty maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Some of the symptoms that are a part of ADHD are considered to be less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for men and boys, so some women hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorganization. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem which can lead to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - like relationships, careers as well as wealth and power - to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also lead to the lack of communication in the relationship.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD often have a feeling that they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with others. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment, a negative body image and a dependence on food or other substances.
Despite these significant issues However, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally say that they view their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can manage it. Several of them also identify personal strengths they believe are due to their ADHD which include high energy, creativity determination and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues as well as biological and gender differences.