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 do not fit into a sex binary. However, sex and gender can influence the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is diagnosed in childhood, usually before age 12. ADHD must present symptoms before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is the core of ADHD, and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have a harder focus, particularly since symptoms can appear differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization for instance. They're also more likely to become emotional and have trouble putting things into perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus which can lead to a lack productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
In addition to these natural differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus, which aids in memory and learning, and hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain's functioning.
In the end, women with undiagnosed ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in their relationships, and at work. They may also be struggling with a host of co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
In these circumstances, it's critical for health professionals to be aware of the various indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that can influence symptom severity. This way, patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life consequences. These include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friends and a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact how women with ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are perceived as more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can lead to their frustration over being diagnosed with ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means they have more trouble making decisions and following through in their intentions. This could make you want to take a bite more cake or to make a rude comment.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from medication that helps to control their tendency to be impulsive. add adult women as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in decrease the impulsive behavior and non-stimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can be effective too. People suffering from ADHD might also benefit from behavioral therapy, which can help them alter their thinking patterns and develop healthier strategies for coping.
Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and practicing meditation can help control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It is also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and communicate the information with their doctor so they can assess whether their treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue in people with ADHD, and can affect their personal and professional life. It can take them longer to complete tasks, and decrease their efficiency. They might also miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated as a result. They may also feel unloved by their family and friends. It is more difficult to organize during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles as hormones alter and symptoms become more severe.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It may be a reason for why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly evident in adolescence when symptoms are more apparent.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may not perform as well at work or in school. This can affect their job, grades or their image. This could also cause issues for their personal life. For example it could lead to difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.
Women who are constantly disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 support of a non-judgmental person. They can help them learn strategies to remain organized, for example, making lists of daily tasks and creating reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional may recommend medications and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a trait that can affect decision-making in a variety of areas of life. A variety of instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness has also been linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is because people perceive ambiguous situations as being dangerous. It has also been found to be associated with a fear of being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd interviewed the participants said they were not able to make choices about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find an occupation they enjoyed or to stay in, and found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often had to wait for others to make decisions, or were unable to complete tasks such as organizing childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had a difficult time finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive, which led to mental health problems. They reported having high levels of stress and anxiety and a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles which was beneficial to their self-image because it meant they were not blaming themselves. They also had access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe these symptoms are less acceptable for boys and men. Women might be able to internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting or burning). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues that can cause depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves to find validation, including jobs, relationships, money, and power. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication within a relationship, which can ultimately end it.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel they do not deserve good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or to "keep up" with other people. This can lead to negative work environments as well as a negative image of one's body and an addiction to food or other substances.
While these are serious issues but the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as a blessing or a curse depending on the way they perceive their ability to manage it. Some have identified their own strengths that they believe are partially due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to easily get interested in new topics. They also talk about their individual struggles in the context of a larger picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well as cultural and family issues.