ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people do not belong to a sex binary. However, sex and gender can affect the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is diagnosed in childhood, usually before age 12. The symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one environment to be able to receive the diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both men and women. However, women might have a harder time to achieve the focus they require due to the fact that symptoms usually appear in different ways than for men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and indecisive, for example. They also are more likely to be emotionally triggered and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss doctor's appointments.
In addition to these natural variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in memory and learning, and hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can affect their brain's function.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships, at school as well as at work. They could also be suffering from various comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is important that health professionals are aware of 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 can influence symptom severity. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life results. This includes low self-esteem, coexisting depression and anxiety and a strained relationship with a partner which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with friendships, a messy home or personal space, an inability manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are viewed as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can lead to their frustration at being diagnosed with ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means they are more prone to making decisions and sticking with their goals. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or to make an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from medications that help them control their impulses. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will help those suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and develop more effective ways of coping.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help to control restlessness and impulsiveness in people with ADHD. It's also a great idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their doctor in order to assess whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for those suffering from ADHD and impact their personal and professional lives. It could take them longer to complete their tasks and reduce their efficiency. They could also be late or overwhelmed every day.
An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. Consequently, add and adhd in women may feel lonely and alone. They may also feel unloved by family and friends. The disorder is more prevalent during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It could also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially evident in adolescence when symptoms become more obvious.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might have a poor performance at work or in school. This can impact their career, grades or overall reputation. This could also cause issues for their personal life. For instance it can cause difficulties with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach them strategies to keep their lives organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and making reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can cause an increase in the negative effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that affects decision making in many areas of our lives. Indecisiveness is measured by various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people perceive ambiguous situations as dangerous. It was also found to be related to the fear of making a mistake, which could explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd participants, they described being incapable of making decisions in their work and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships and had trouble finding an occupation they liked. They often had to wait for others to decide or were unable to complete projects themselves, such as arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects was preventing them from completing.
They struggled to keep friendships and had difficulty relaxing and recharging their mental health. They described high levels of stress and anxiety, a lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their struggles, which was helpful for self-esteem because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. Additionally, it gave them access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.
The interviews revealed that the women had many positive qualities but were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their life. The women reported an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Women might cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe their behavior is less acceptable for boys and men. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to low self-esteem, which could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a prerequisite for better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves to find validation, including relationships, careers money, power, and relationships. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also lead to an absence of communication within the relationship.
Women suffering from ADHD may also feel they do not deserve good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to toxic work cultures as well as a negative self-image and a dependence on substances or food.
Despite these challenges, women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as a blessing or a curse according to the way they perceive their ability to control it. Some of them have also identified personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to effortlessly become fascinated by new subjects. They also describe their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.