The Hidden Secrets Of ADHD Traits In Women
ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people do not fit into a sex binary. Genre and gender can influence the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
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 multiple settings to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and can affect both women and men. Women may have a tougher time focusing, especially since symptoms may manifest differently than in men.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus which can lead to an inability to perform at home or work. They're also more likely skip doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications.
In addition to these natural gender differences, hormones of women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, as well as hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school, and at work. They may also be struggling with a host of co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
It is important that health professionals understand the numerous signs that females with ADHD show. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing adhd in women and treating females suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. That way, these patients can finally get the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD are often unable to managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life results. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friends, a messy house or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and sticking with their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help them control their impulses. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like the guanfacine and clonidine are effective as well. Patients with women's adhd self assessment might also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps them change their thinking patterns and develop healthier strategies for coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day and then share the information with their doctor in order to assess whether their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem for people suffering from ADHD and can have a negative impact on their personal and professional life. They may have difficulty to complete tasks, and their productivity may be reduced. They may also be late and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might miss important dates or misplace things like purses or keys. They might feel lonely and unloved due to this. Friends and family members may be confused about their feelings. It is more difficult to organize in menopausal or perimenopausal women, when hormones change and symptoms increase.
It is not unusual for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to fit in with societal norms and avoid being judged. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could also be the reason girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence where symptoms are more evident.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may have poor performance at work or in school. This can impact their career, grades or overall standing. It can also cause problems in their personal life, such as difficulties with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with family members and friends members.
Women with chronic disorganization can receive one-on-one assistance from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating an agenda and setting reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional may recommend changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause an increase in the side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness is measured by various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It has also been found to be correlated with anxiety about being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to have trouble making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women with adhd participants, they described being incapable of making decisions in their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find a job they liked or stayed in, and found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They often had to wait for others to take decisions, or were unable to complete tasks like arranging childcare. They often felt that they were being restricted by their adhd assessment for women symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had a difficult time keeping relationships and had trouble relaxing and recharging their mental health. They described high levels of anxiety and stress, sleeping insufficiently and having inadequate nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles, which was helpful for self-esteem since it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women were extremely positive and able to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. These included a lack career or romantic opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women can hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe that these behaviors aren't as acceptable for men and boys. Women who suffer from ADHD may internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can lead to low self-esteem, which could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth tend to look outside themselves for validation, such as relationships, careers as well as money and power. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in a relationship, which can eventually end it.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women adhd diagnosis with ADHD often have feeling like they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with other people. This can result in a toxic work culture as well as a negative image of one's body and an addiction to food or other substances.
While these are major challenges however, the women who took part in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally identify their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they have control over it. Some of them have also identified personal strengths they believe are partially due to their adhd in women adult. They have high energy, creativity and determination and the ability to easily get fascinated by new subjects. They also discuss their unique struggles as part of a larger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as well as biological and gender differences.