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ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. Many people don't easily fit into an unisexual gender. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
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 more than one setting to be able to receive an assessment.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and it's an issue for everyone. Women may have a harder focus, particularly since symptoms can manifest differently than in males.
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 have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can create an inability to focus on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or neglect to take their medications.
The hormones of women, in addition to these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's function.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school and at work. They might also suffer from multiple comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
It is crucial that health professionals are aware of the numerous signs of adhd adult women that females with ADHD show. They need to rethink their methods to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD in order to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. In this way, these patients can finally get the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. This can include low self-esteem, anxiety and depression that coexist, problematic romantic relationships which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes can also influence how women who suffer from adhd adult women diagnosis will be treated. They may be misunderstood because they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.
People with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and executing their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the temptation to eat a second piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public.
For those who suffer from ADHD medications can help to increase their ability to manage their impulsivity. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine can reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy is also suggested, which can help those suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing anxiety and impulsiveness among people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician so they can assess whether their treatment regimen is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their professional and personal life. They may have trouble to complete tasks and their efficiency may be diminished. They could also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.
A lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might miss important dates or misplace things like keys or purses. In the end, they might feel lonely and isolated. They may also feel that they are not understood by family members and friends. The disorder is more prevalent during perimenopause or menopause when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms to fit into societal norms or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It can also be a reason for 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 may not perform as well at work or in school. This can negatively impact their work, grades, or their image. It can also create problems in their personal lives. For example, it may lead to issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.
Women who are chronically unorganized can benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. They can teach women how to stay organized by creating a list and setting reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can suggest changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can increase the adverse effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of life. Indecisiveness can be measured with several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and with the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret ambiguous situations as dangerous. It has also been proven to be associated with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult female adhd symptoms women with adhd interviewed they said they were not in a position to make decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find a job they liked or to stay in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They often waited for other people to decide or were unable to finish projects on their own, for example, scheduling childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects were holding them back.
They had a difficult time keeping relationships and had trouble relaxing and recharging their mental health. They described stress and anxiety, as well as a sleeping insufficiently and having inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles which was beneficial to their self-esteem since it meant they weren't blaming themselves. It also gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that the women had a lot of positive qualities, but they were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. These included a lack of possibilities for romance or work as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Some of the symptoms that are a part of ADHD are considered to be less acceptable socially for women and girls than they are for males and females, so some women are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. Some women may be able to internalize their ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in lower self-esteem and could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a precursor to healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships as well as money and power. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication in relationships, which could eventually end it.
Women suffering from ADHD may also feel that they don't deserve the best things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with other people. This can lead to toxic work cultures and a negative self-image and an addiction to substances or food.
Although these are significant challenges however, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. Most of them say that they view their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they believe they can control it. Several of them also identify personal strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD which include the ability to be creative, high energy determination, and the ability to be easily interested in new topics. They also describe their unique challenges as part types of adhd in women a larger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.