The People Closest To ADHD Traits In Women Uncover Big Secrets
ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. A lot of people do not easily fit into the binary sex. Genre and gender can influence how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in early childhood, typically before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and it's an issue for everyone. But women might have a harder time to attain the focus they require, especially because symptoms often appear in different ways than in men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can create an inability to focus on work, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss doctor's appointments.
The hormones that women experience along with these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, as well as hormone changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain's function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school and at work. They could also struggle with a variety of comorbid conditions, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
It is essential that health professionals are aware of the many clues females with ADHD show. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients will receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with other people. This can result in to emotional dysregulation that is a component of ADHD symptoms. It can also be associated with negative outcomes in life. These include low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friends, a messy house or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can increase their frustration about living with untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have more trouble making decisions and following through with their goals. This can make you want to eat more cake or make a rude comment.
For those who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to improve their ability to control their behavior. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and guanfacine are also effective. People suffering from ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps to change their thinking patterns and develop better strategies for coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control anxiety and impulsiveness among people suffering from ADHD. It is also a good idea to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and to share the information with their doctor to assess whether the treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for people with ADHD and affect their work and personal lives. It could take longer to complete tasks, and decrease their productivity. They may also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
A lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose belongings like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated as a result. adhd in women adults may also feel unloved by family and friends. Disorders are more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to avoid being judged. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. This could be a reason why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
As a result, women with untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This can impact their career, grades or overall reputation. It can also cause problems in their personal lives like issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with friends and family members.
Women with chronic disorganization could receive one-on-one assistance from a nonjudgmental support person. They can teach them strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making an agenda of the daily tasks and making reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may recommend medication or lifestyle changes that can help minimize ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can increase the side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of life. Several instruments have been developed to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and with the tendency to employ worst-case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as threatening. It is also believed to be associated with the fear of being wrong, which could be the reason why it is common for people with adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd that were interviewed, they described not being in a position to make choices about their personal and professional lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships and had trouble finding a job that they liked. They frequently were dependent on others to decide or were unable to complete tasks on their own, like organizing childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms like inattention and impulsivity or difficulty beginning projects were preventing them from progressing.
They struggled to maintain relationships and had trouble relaxing and recharging their mental health. They reported having high levels of stress and anxiety and sleeping less, and poor nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by adults and the media. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them improve their self-esteem because they were not blaming themselves. They also had access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that the women were very optimistic however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. The women complained of the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women may conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that their behavior is less acceptable than for men and boys. They also may internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can cause lower self-esteem and could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth tend to look outside themselves for validation, like relationships, careers money, power, and relationships. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication within relationships, which could ultimately end it.
Women suffering from ADHD might also feel they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up" or to please. This can lead to toxic work cultures and a negative self-image and an addiction to substance or food.
Although these are significant challenges but the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as a blessing or a curse according to the way they perceive their ability to manage it. A few of them also point out personal strengths they believe are due to their ADHD which include high energy, creativity, determination, and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as well as biological and gender differences.
