ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people don't fall into a binary of sex. Genre and gender can influence how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is diagnosed in early childhood, typically before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be eligible for the diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and can affect both women and men. Women may have a tougher to concentrate, particularly because symptoms may manifest differently than males.
Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. 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 concentrate, which can lead to an absence of productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with their doctor.
The hormones of women as well as these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps with memory and learning. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopausal cycles can affect brain function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school and at work. They may also be struggling with a variety of co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
visit my web site is why it's critical for health professionals to be aware of the numerous indicators that females suffering from ADHD often exhibit. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other factors that affect the severity of symptoms. This way, patients can finally get the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life consequences. These include low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.
adhd in adult women can also influence the way women with ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are viewed as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and executing 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 medication that helps them manage their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like the guanfacine and clonidine are effective as well. People with ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them change their thinking patterns and develop more effective strategies for coping.
Sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician to determine if the treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue in people with ADHD, and can affect their work and personal lives. It can take them longer to complete their tasks and decrease their productivity. They could also be late and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Insanity can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might not remember important dates or even lose things like purses or keys. Consequently, they may feel lonely and alone. Family and friends may also confuse their feelings. It is more difficult to organize during perimenopause and menopause as hormones alter and symptoms become more severe.
It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform with the norms of society and avoid being judged. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It can also be a reason why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence when symptoms become more apparent.
Women who are not treated for ADHD might have a poor performance at work or in school. This could affect their work, grades or overall standing. It can also cause problems in their personal lives, such as difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women who are chronically unorganized could benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can provide strategies to stay organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can recommend changes in lifestyle and medications to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can trigger side effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that can affect decision-making in many areas of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism, and the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as potentially dangerous. It has also been found to be correlated with the fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people with adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the qualitative study on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed they said they were not in a position to make decisions regarding their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find a job they liked or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They often had to wait for others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects like scheduling childcare. They often felt that they were being held back by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsive.
They had trouble finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive, which led to mental health problems. They described stress and anxiety, a sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their struggles which was beneficial to their self-esteem because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that the women had many positive qualities however, they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Certain of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are considered to be less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for men and boys and so women may conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. Women may take on the characteristics of ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in feelings of low self-esteem which can lead to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a key factor in healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look beyond themselves to find validation, including jobs, relationships money, power, and relationships. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also lead to an absence of communication within a relationship.
In addition to a lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD often struggle with a feeling that they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can result in negative work environments, a negative body image, and an addiction to foods or substances.
Despite these major challenges the women who participated in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how they feel about their ability to control it. Some of them have identified strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. These include the ability to be creative, energetic and determination as well as the ability to effortlessly become interested in new topics. They also discuss their unique struggles in the context of a larger picture that includes gender and biological distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.