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 fall into a binary of sex. However, gender and sex can influence how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in childhood, usually 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 a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. Women may have a harder focus, particularly since symptoms may manifest differently than in males.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability to focus and can result in an absence of productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with their doctor.
In addition to these inherent differences, women's hormones can make ADHD symptoms more severe. The female hippocampus is larger, which aids in learning and memory. Menstrual hormone fluctuations as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal cycles can influence brain function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in relationships as well as at work. They might also suffer from a variety of comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
It is crucial that health professionals are aware of the numerous signs that females with ADHD exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD in order to recognize hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. In this way, these patients will receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression that coexist as well as problematic relationships with loved ones that can result in 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 affect the way women with ADHD are treated. Because they are typically perceived as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. This can cause them to feel more frustrated over being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they are more prone to making decisions and sticking with their intentions. This could make you want to eat more cake or make a snide comment.
For adults with ADHD, medication can help to increase their ability to manage their behavior. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce the impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medications such as clonidine and guanfacine can be effective too. People suffering from ADHD might also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps them alter their thinking patterns and develop healthier methods of coping.
Sleeping enough, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can also help in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and then share this information with their physician in order to assess whether their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem in people with ADHD and can impact their professional and personal lives. It can take them longer to complete their tasks and reduce their productivity. adult add in women might also miss deadlines and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel isolated and lonely. They may also feel unloved by their family and friends. It is more difficult to organize in menopausal or perimenopausal women, when hormones change and symptoms increase.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could also be a reason why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more evident.
As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This can have a negative impact on their work, grades, or even their reputation. It can also create problems for their personal life. For example, it may lead to issues with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. They can provide strategies to get and stay organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and making reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine that can trigger side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that affects decision making across a wide range of aspects of our lives. 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 is also associated with neuroticism, and the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It has also been proven to be associated with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed, they described not being capable of making choices about their professional and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They frequently had to wait for others to make decisions or were unable to complete tasks on their own, like arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or starting projects was preventing them from completing.
They had trouble finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which resulted in mental health issues. They described stress and anxiety, as well as a sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by their peers and the media. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them boost their self-esteem as they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women were extremely positive, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the symptoms that make up ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for boys and men and so women may are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can cause low self-esteem, which can cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a precursor to healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look beyond themselves to find validation, including careers, relationships as well as money and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can lead to an absence of communication within a relationship.
Women with ADHD might also feel they are not worthy of good things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment and a negative image of the body and a dependence on food or other substances.
Despite these major issues However, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They described ADHD as positive or negative according to how they feel about their ability to manage it. Some have identified their own strengths that they believe are partially due to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to easily get interested in new subjects. They also talk about their unique struggles in the context of the larger picture, which includes biological and gender differences, as well cultural and family issues.