Who Is ADHD Traits In Women And Why You Should Take A Look
ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people don't fall into a binary of sex. Sexe and gender can affect how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in more than one setting to qualify for a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. Women may have a difficult to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can appear differently than males.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or home. They are also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medications.
In addition to these natural gender differences, hormones of women can make ADHD symptoms more severe. The female hippocampus is larger which helps in learning and memory. Menstrual hormone fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can influence brain function.
This is why women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They could also be suffering from multiple comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is essential that health professionals understand the many signs females suffering from ADHD show. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that can influence symptom severity. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are more likely to have trouble managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life consequences. These include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friends and a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD will be treated. Because they are often viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they could be viewed as overly emotional. This can exacerbate their frustrations about living with untreated ADHD.
People with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or make an inappropriate statement in public.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from medications that help to control their tendency to be impulsive. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and Guanfacine can also be effective. People with ADHD might also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps them alter their mental patterns and develop healthier strategies for coping.
Sleeping enough, eating attention deficit in women , and practicing meditation can help control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician to determine if their treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people with ADHD and affect their work and personal lives. They may have difficulty to complete tasks and their efficiency may be reduced. They could also fail to meet deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose possessions such as keys or purses. In the end, they might feel lonely and alone. Friends and family may be confused about them. It is more difficult to organize in menopausal or perimenopausal women as hormones alter and symptoms intensify.
It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to fit in with societal norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It could also be the reason women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
As a result, women with untreated ADHD might have poor work or school performance. This can impact their career, grades or overall standing. It can also cause problems in their personal lives, such as difficulties with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with friends and family members.
Women who are chronically unorganized can benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. add symptoms in adult women can help women learn to stay organized by creating lists and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional may recommend medication or lifestyle changes that will help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause adverse effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that can affect decision-making in a variety of areas of life. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and with the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people perceive ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be linked to a fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study on adult women with adhd interviewed the participants said they were not capable of making choices about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had difficulty finding an occupation they liked. They often waited for others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects such as organizing childcare. They often felt that they were held back by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsivity.
They had trouble finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which resulted in mental health issues. adhd symptoms in adult women described high levels of stress and anxiety, a sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by media and adults. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD, which helped them boost their self-esteem as they weren't blaming others. They also had access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women had a lot of positive qualities, but they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. The women reported the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the signs that are a part of ADHD are considered to be less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for boys and men and so women may conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. They also may be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can cause feelings of self-esteem loss that contribute to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, like jobs, relationships as well as money and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can lead to a lack in communication within relationships.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women who have ADHD frequently struggle with the feeling that they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up" or to please. This can cause toxic workplaces and a negative self-image and an addiction of substances or food.
Despite these significant issues However, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as positive or negative according to the way they perceive their ability to manage it. Some of them have identified strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination and the ability to effortlessly become interested in new subjects. They also discuss their own struggles within the context of an overall picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well cultural and family issues.