ADHD Traits in WomenVerywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people don't fall into a binary sex. Genre and gender can influence how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple environments to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and can affect both genders. Women may have a tougher focus, particularly since symptoms can manifest differently than men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability of concentration and can result in a lack productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss doctor's appointments.
In addition to these innate gender differences, hormones of women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps with learning and memory. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school and at work. They might also suffer from various comorbidities like anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
This is why it is crucial for health professionals to be aware of the numerous indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD in order to account for emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. This way, patients will finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with other people. This can result in emotional dysregulation, which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. These include low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble with friends and a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women who suffer from
adhd in women test are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are thought to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can increase their frustration about living with untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD have impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have more trouble making decisions and sticking with their goals. This can make you want to eat more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
For people who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to increase their ability to control their impulsivity. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy is also recommended, which can help people with ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop more effective ways of coping.
Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and practicing meditation can help control restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It's also a great idea to track their symptoms throughout the day, and to share this information with their physician to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from ADHD and can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. They may find it difficult to complete their tasks and their efficiency may be reduced. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important dates or lose items like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and alone. Family and friends may also misunderstand their feelings. The disorder can become more severe in menopausal or perimenopausal women, when hormones change and symptoms intensify.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. This could be the reason girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence where symptoms become more apparent.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have poor performance at work or in school. This could affect their job, grades, or overall reputation. It can also cause problems in their personal life like issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with friends and family members.
famous women with adhd who are chronically disorganized can benefit from one-on-one help by a non-judgmental therapist. They can teach them strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making a list of daily tasks and making reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional can recommend medication or lifestyle changes that can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can increase the negative effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that affects decision making across a wide range of aspects of our lives. Several instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and with the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as potentially dangerous. It was also discovered to be associated with 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 suffering from adhd who were interviewed the participants said they were not capable of making decisions regarding their personal and professional lives. They had a difficult time finding a job they liked or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They frequently waited for other people to decide or were unable to complete projects on their own, for example, scheduling childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects was preventing them from completing.
They had trouble in establishing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health issues. They reported having high levels of anxiety and stress as well as sleeping less, and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by media and adults. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming others. They also had access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that
women adhd diagnosis had many positive qualities however, they struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Self-esteem issues
Women might conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these behaviors aren't as acceptable than for boys and men. They also may internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can cause feelings of low self-esteem that can cause anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a precursor to better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - including relationships, careers wealth, power, and relationships to feel a sense of worthiness. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can also lead to an absence of communication within a relationship.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often have the feeling that they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up" or to please. This can result in toxic workplace cultures and a negative self-image and an addiction of food or substances.
Despite these significant issues the women who participated in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. Most of them identify their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they believe they have control over it. Several of them also identify personal strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy, determination, and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as well as biological and gender differences.