ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. Many people don't fall into an unisexual sexuality. Genre and gender can influence the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and can affect both genders. But women may find it more challenging to attain the attention they require, especially because symptoms often manifest in different ways in men.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization for instance. They're also more likely to be emotionally triggered and have difficulty putting things into perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely not attend doctor appointments or neglect to take their medications.
The hormones that women experience, in addition to these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which aids in memory and learning, and hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain function.
This is why women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships, at school, and at work. They might also suffer from various comorbidities like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is important that health care professionals recognize the many clues females with ADHD exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. Patients can then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they interact with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life results. This can include low self-esteem, anxiety and depression, problematic romantic relationships, which can lead to violence between partners, problems with friendships, a messy house or personal space, inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women with ADHD are treated. Because they are often perceived as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. This can increase their frustration at living with untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means that they are more prone to making decisions and following through with their goals. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or make an inappropriate statement in public.
For adults with ADHD, medication can help to improve their ability to control their behavior. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medicines like Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective as well. People with ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them alter their thinking patterns and develop better methods of coping.
Sleeping enough, eating a healthy diet, and practicing meditation can also help in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's important to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician to assess whether the treatment regimen is working.
3. adhd women uk is a typical issue in people with ADHD and can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They could also be late and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated due to this. Friends and family may misunderstand their feelings. The disorder is more prevalent during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform with societal norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could also be a reason why girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This can negatively impact their work, grades, or reputation. It can also create problems in their personal life including issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with friends and family members.
Women who are chronically disorganized can get help one-on-one by a non-judgmental therapist. They can teach them strategies to get and stay organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional could also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that can help minimize ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can cause adverse effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects 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 of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness has also been associated with neuroticism and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people perceive ambiguous situations as dangerous. It was also discovered to be associated with the fear of making a mistake which could be the reason people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of women who have adhd in their adult lives the participants described being unable to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or to stay in, and found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They often had to wait for others to make decisions, or were unable to finish projects such as scheduling childcare. They often felt like they were hindered by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had a difficult time relaxing and maintaining friendships which led to mental health issues. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, a sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by other adults and by the media. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming others. They also had access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women had a lot of positive qualities but were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. The women complained of the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are considered to be less acceptable socially for women and girls than they are for boys and men Some women choose to hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD may internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to low self-esteem, which can contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look beyond themselves to find validation, including relationships, careers as well as money and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can also lead to an absence of communication within the relationship.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, those with ADHD often struggle with a feeling that they don't deserve the good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or "keep up" with others. This can lead to a toxic work culture as well as a negative image of one's body and an addiction to food or substances.
While these are serious issues, the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally say that they view their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they feel they can manage it. Many of them also recognize personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD, including the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues as well as biological and gender differences.