10 Locations Where You Can Find ADHD Traits In Women
ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people don't fit neatly into an unisexual gender. However, sex and gender influence the way symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause difficulties in multiple settings to be eligible for the diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both men and women. But women may find it more challenging to get the focus they require particularly since symptoms typically manifest differently 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 difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate which can lead to a lack productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely to miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
In addition to these inherent gender differences, hormones of women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps with memory and learning. Menstrual hormone fluctuations as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.
In the end, women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in relationships and at work. add symptoms in women could also be suffering from multiple comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
For these reasons, it's critical for health care professionals to recognize the many indicators that females suffering from ADHD frequently exhibit. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD in order to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. Patients can then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation that is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative outcomes in life. These include low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can increase their frustration in being a victim of untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make you want to eat more cake or make a snide comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medications that help them control their impulsivity. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine can reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Non-stimulants like clonidine and Guanfacine can also be effective. People with ADHD might also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps them change their mental patterns and develop more effective methods of coping.
A good night's sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day, and to share this information with their physician to determine whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for people with ADHD and impact their work and personal lives. They may have difficulty to complete tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They could also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.
Insanity can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They might not remember important dates or even lose things like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated because of this. Friends and family members may be confused about them. The disorder can become more severe in menopausal or perimenopausal women when hormones shift and symptoms intensify.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It may be a reason why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This can negatively impact their work, grades, or even their reputation. It can also create problems in their personal life like issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends members.
Women who are chronically unorganized can benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental friend. They can help women learn to stay organized by making a list and establishing reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can suggest medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can cause adverse effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of life. Indecisiveness can be measured using several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and with the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as threatening. It was also found to be related to a fear of making a mistake which could be the reason people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd participants, they reported being unable to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships, and had difficulty finding jobs they enjoyed. They often waited for others to take decisions, or were unable to complete tasks such as scheduling childcare. They often felt they were hindered by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsivity.
They had trouble finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which led to mental health problems. They described having high levels of anxiety and stress, sleeping less and a poor diet. They also reported feeling snubbed by their peers and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming others. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that the women were extremely positive, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. This included a lack of possibilities for romance or work, difficulty maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable for boys and men. Some women may internalize their ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in lower self-esteem and could cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - including careers, relationships, wealth, and power to feel a sense of worthiness. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also lead to the lack of communication in the relationship.
Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often have a feeling that they don't have enough of the good things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can cause toxic workplaces as well as a negative self-image and an addiction of substance or food.
While these are major challenges, the women who participated in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. Most of them identify their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can manage it. Some of them have also identified personal strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination and the ability to quickly become interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues as also gender and biological differences.