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 fit into a sex binary. However, sex and gender can influence how symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
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 multiple environments to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD, and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have a harder time focusing, especially since symptoms may manifest differently than men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate, which can lead to a lack productivity at home or work. 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 worse. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which aids in memory and learning, and hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain function.
In the end, women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They might also struggle with a host of comorbid disorders, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
It is important that health professionals are aware of the numerous signs that females with ADHD show. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. In this way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life consequences. This includes low self-esteem coexisting depression and anxiety as well as problematic relationships with loved ones, which can lead to violence between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability manage time or money, and a messy house.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can exacerbate their frustrations about living with untreated ADHD.
People with ADHD have impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. adhd symptoms in women have a difficult time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This could make you want to indulge in more cake or make a snide comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medications that help them manage their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can reduce the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will aid people suffering from ADHD modify their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can all help to control anxiety and impulsiveness among people suffering from ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and then share the information with their doctor in order to assess whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for people with ADHD and can affect their personal and professional lives. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks and their efficiency may be diminished. They may also be late or overwhelmed throughout the day.
click the up coming post to organize can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel isolated and lonely. Family and friends may also be confused about them. Disorders are more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. This could be a reason for why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more obvious.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may not perform as well at work or in school. This could affect their job, grades, or their overall image. It can also create problems in their personal life like issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends members.
Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach women how to stay organized by making lists and establishing reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional may recommend changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can worsen the negative effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of life. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, in which people perceive ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It was also found to be linked to the fear of making a mistake which could be the reason people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd that were interviewed they said they were not able to make decisions about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often were dependent on others to take decisions, or were unable to complete tasks like scheduling childcare. They often felt that they were hindered by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had difficulty in establishing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health problems. They described high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles which was beneficial for self-image because it meant they were not blamed for their condition. It also gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that the women had many positive qualities but struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. This included a lack of career or romantic opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the symptoms that make up ADHD are seen as less acceptable socially for women and girls than they are for men and boys and so women may are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can result in feelings of self-esteem issues that contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a key factor in healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth they tend to look for external things - such as relationships, careers wealth, power, and relationships to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also result in the lack of communication in relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel they are not worthy of good things in life. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment as well as a negative image of one's body and an addiction to food or substances.
Although these are significant challenges however, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage according to the way they perceive their ability to manage it. Many of them also recognize personal strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD such as high energy, creativity determination, and the ability to get easily 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 as cultural and family issues.