ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. A lot of people do not easily fit into the binary sexuality. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of early childhood, typically before age 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause problems in more than one environment to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. However, women may have more difficulty to attain the attention they require, especially because symptoms often appear in different ways than in men.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability of concentration, which can lead to a lack productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medications.
Women's hormones as well as these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps in learning and memory. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopausal changes can also influence brain function.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also struggle with a host of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
It is important that health professionals understand the many clues females with ADHD exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnose and treat females with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. This way, patients will receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also affect how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated at living with untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and executing their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.
For browse around here who suffer from ADHD medications can help to enhance their ability to control their impulses. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine can reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and Guanfacine can also be effective. People suffering from ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them change their mental patterns and develop more effective methods of coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control anxiety and impulsiveness among people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and share the information with their doctor in order to assess whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with ADHD, and can affect their professional and personal lives. It can take them longer to complete their tasks and reduce their productivity. They might also be late or overwhelmed each day.
Insanity can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. People may miss important dates or misplace items like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and unloved due to this. They can also feel misunderstood by their family and friends. The disorder is more prevalent during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones change and symptoms increase.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could also be a reason why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more obvious.
In the end women who are not treated for ADHD may have trouble with their work or school performance. This can impact their career, grades or overall standing. It can also create problems for their personal life. For example, it may lead to difficulties with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization can get help one-on-one from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can help them learn strategies to stay organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and creating reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may recommend medication or lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can increase side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that can affect decision-making in many areas of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret uncertain situations as potentially dangerous. It is also believed to be linked with the fear of being wrong, which may be the reason why it is common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd interviewed, they described not being capable of making decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or to stay in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They often waited for others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects such as arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms such as inattention and impulsivity or difficulty getting started on projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had a difficult time relaxing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health issues. They reported high levels of anxiety and stress and an inability to sleep and a poor diet. They also felt stigmatized by adults and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD, which helped them increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming themselves. It also gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that the women had a lot of positive qualities, but they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their life. These included a lack of career or romantic opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. an unclean home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable for men and boys. Some women may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in feelings of self-esteem loss which can lead to anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a precursor to better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, like jobs, relationships money, power, and relationships. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also result in the lack of communication in the relationship.
Women suffering from ADHD might also feel they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings can manifest as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and a dependence on substance or food.
Although these are significant challenges however, the women who took part in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally say that they view their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can control it. Some of them have identified strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination as well as the ability to quickly become interested in new subjects. They also discuss their own struggles within the context of an overall picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well cultural and family issues.