ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. A lot of people do not fit neatly into a binary sexuality. Genre and gender can influence the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one setting to be eligible for an assessment.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and can affect both women and men. However, women may have more difficulty to attain the attention they require particularly since symptoms typically manifest in different ways for men.
Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can create an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip doctor's appointments.
In addition to these innate gender differences, hormones of women can make ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in memory and learning, and hormone changes during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also struggle with a host of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
In adhd in women test Iam Psychiatry , it is essential for health professionals to be aware of the various indications that females with ADHD often show. 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. This way, patients will receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are often unable to managing their emotions, particularly when interacting with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friends, a messy house or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women with ADHD will be treated. Because they are typically perceived as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they may be misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.
People with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and executing their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat a second piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate statement in public.
For adults with ADHD medications can help to increase their ability to manage their behavior. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective as well. Behavioral therapy can also be recommended, which can help people with ADHD modify their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all help 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 this information with their doctor to determine whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their professional and personal lives. It could take longer to complete tasks and reduce their productivity. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and alone. Friends and family may be confused about their feelings. The disorder can become more severe during perimenopause and menopause when hormones shift and symptoms increase.
It is not unusual for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to fit in with the norms of society and avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could also be a reason why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more obvious.
Women with untreated ADHD may not perform as well at school or at work. This can negatively impact their job, grades or their image. It can also create problems for their personal lives. For instance it can cause difficulties with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.
Women who are constantly disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can help women learn to stay organized by making lists and setting reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can recommend medications and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can increase side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of our lives. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism, and the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, in which people interpret ambiguous situations as dangerous. It was also discovered to be related to the fear of making a mistake which could be the reason people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women suffering from adhd the participants said they were not able to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships and struggled to find an occupation they liked. They often were dependent on others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects such as arranging childcare. They often felt like they were held back by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsivity.
They struggled to maintain friendships and had difficulty relaxing and recharging their mental health. They described having high levels of anxiety and stress and an inability to sleep and a poor diet. They also expressed feeling slighted 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 appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women had a lot of positive qualities, but they struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Certain of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for boys and men Some women choose to are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. Some women may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can cause feelings of self-esteem loss which can lead to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the basis for better relationships and a positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things - like relationships, careers, wealth, and power to feel worthy. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication in the relationship, which could ultimately end it.
Women with ADHD may also feel that they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can lead to toxic work cultures as well as a negative self-image and an addiction to substances or food.
Despite these issues the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally identify their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can control it. Many of them also recognize personal strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD which include the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to be easily interested in new topics. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.