ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't fit into a sex binary. However, sex and gender can influence the way symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. However, please click the up coming article may find it more challenging to achieve the focus they require, especially because symptoms often manifest differently for men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus on work, resulting in an inability to perform at work or home. They are also more likely to skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
The hormones that women experience along with these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in memory and learning, and hormone changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain's functioning.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They could also be suffering from a variety of comorbid disorders, such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
In look at this site , it's critical for health care professionals to be aware of the numerous indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations, and other factors that can influence symptom severity. That way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, especially when interacting with others. This can cause to emotional dysregulation that is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, problems 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 will be treated. They could be misunderstood as they are thought to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated at living with untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and sticking with their intentions. This could make you want to indulge in more cake or make a rude comment.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from medications that help them manage their impulsivity. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can be efficient too. Behavioral therapy may also be recommended, which can aid people suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stress.
Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and practicing meditation can also help in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share this information with their physician to assess whether their treatment plan is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for those suffering from ADHD and affect their personal and professional lives. It could take them longer to complete tasks, and reduce their productivity. They might also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.
An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved as a result. Friends and family members may confuse their feelings. Disorders are more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones are changing and symptoms increase.
It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with the norms of society and avoid being judged. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It may be a reason for why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly evident in adolescence when symptoms become more obvious.
As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This can impact their career, grades or overall standing. It can also cause problems in their personal lives including issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with family members and friends members.
Women who are chronically unorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 support of a non-judgmental person. They can teach women how to stay organized by making lists and establishing reminders. A qualified mental health professional can also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that will aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine which can cause adverse effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism, and the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It was also found to be related to a fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd interviewed, they described not being in a position to make decisions regarding their personal and professional lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships, and struggled to find an occupation they liked. They often waited for other people to make decisions or were unable complete projects on their own, for example, arranging childcare. They often felt they were being hindered by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
They had difficulty relaxing and maintaining friendships which led to mental health problems. They reported having high levels of anxiety and stress as well as sleeping less and a poor diet. They also expressed feeling devalued by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-image because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. It also gave them access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.
The interviews revealed that women were very positive and able to overcome the effects of ADHD on various 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 are a part of ADHD are viewed as less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for boys and men and so women may hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorganization. Some women might take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in feelings of self-esteem issues that can cause anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a precursor to healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - like relationships, careers, wealth, and power - to feel worthy. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in a lack of communication in the relationship, which could ultimately end it.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, those with ADHD frequently 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 to "keep up" with others. This can result in an unhealthy work environment as well as a negative image of one's body and an addiction to food or other substances.
Despite these issues However, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They generally describe their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can control it. Some have identified strengths they believe are partially due to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to easily get fascinated by new subjects. They also describe their own struggles within the context of a larger picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well cultural and family issues.