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 do not belong to a sex binary. However, gender and sex can influence how symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is diagnosed in early childhood, typically before the age of 12. ADHD must show signs before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is the core of ADHD, and it's an issue for everyone. Women may have a difficult time focusing, especially 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 than men to be emotional and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These problems can create an inability to focus on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or neglect to take their medications.
In addition to these innate variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms worse. The female hippocampus is larger which helps with learning and memory. Menstrual hormone fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school and at work. They might also struggle with a variety of co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
This is why it is essential for health professionals to recognize the many clues that females with ADHD frequently exhibit. They should rethink their strategies to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD in order to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. The patients will then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they interact with other people. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It is also linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships and a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are thought to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated at being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or to make an inappropriate statement in public.
Adults with ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help them control their impulses. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medications such as the guanfacine and clonidine are effective too. People suffering from ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps them alter their thinking patterns and develop more effective coping techniques.
A good night's sleep, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can help control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It is important to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician so they can assess whether their treatment plan is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for people with ADHD and impact their work and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete tasks, and their productivity may be diminished. They might also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might miss important dates or misplace things like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved because of this. They may also feel that they are not understood by family members and friends. Disorganization is more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to fit into societal norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. This could be a reason for why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially evident in adolescence when symptoms are more evident.
adhd symptoms in adult women who are not treated for ADHD may have poor performance at work or in school. This could affect their career, grades, or their image. This could also cause issues in their personal lives. For instance, it may lead to difficulties with relationships with their partners or breakups with family members and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized can get help one-on-one by a non-judgmental therapist. They can provide strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and creating reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional may recommend changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may 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 a characteristic that can affect decision-making in a variety of areas of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism, and the tendency to employ worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people perceive ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be associated with a fear of making a mistake which could help explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd the participants reported being unable to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or to stay in, and found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often waited for others to make decisions for them, or were unable complete projects such as scheduling childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like the inability to focus and impulsivity, or starting projects were preventing them from progressing.
They struggled to maintain friendships and were unable to relax which led to issues with their mental health. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety, a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by their peers and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming others. They also had access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.
The interviews showed that the women had a lot of positive qualities however, they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. These included a lack of career or romantic opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Women may hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe these symptoms are less acceptable than for boys and men. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can result in lower self-esteem and could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the precursor to better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look outside themselves to find validation, including careers, relationships money, power, and relationships. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can lead to an absence of communication within the relationship.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, those with ADHD often have the feeling that they don't have enough of the good things 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 major difficulties However, the women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the way they perceive their ability to control it. Some have identified strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to easily get interested in new topics. They also describe their unique struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well cultural and family issues.