Looking For Inspiration? Check Out ADHD Traits In Women
ADHD Traits in Women Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people do not easily fit into a binary gender. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated. ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple environments to be able to receive a diagnosis. 1. Trouble focusing Inattention is the root of ADHD and affects both genders. Women may have more difficulty to get the attention they require due to the fact that symptoms usually appear in different ways than in men. Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability of concentration and can result in an inability to perform at work or home. They're also more likely miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medications. In addition to these innate differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is bigger which helps with memory and learning. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also influence brain function. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also suffer from various comorbidities like depression, anxiety and eating disorders. This is why it is essential for health care professionals to be aware of the various clues that females with ADHD frequently exhibit. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. The patients will then receive the treatment they require. 2. Impulsivity Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they interact with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation, which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life consequences. This includes low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble 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 with ADHD will be treated. They might be misunderstood since they are thought to be more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can increase their frustration in being diagnosed with ADHD. Individuals with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and executing their intentions. This could cause you to want to take a bite more cake or to make an inappropriate comment. Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medication that helps to control their impulses. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medicines like clonidine and guanfacine can be efficient too. Behavioral therapy may also be recommended, which can help people with ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn healthier coping skills. Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help in reducing impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their doctor in order to assess whether their treatment is working. 3. Disorganization Disorganization is a common issue for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their personal and professional lives. It could take longer to complete tasks and reduce their productivity. They could also be late or overwhelmed each day. An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may miss important dates or misplace things like purses or keys. This can cause them to feel lonely and isolated. Friends and family members may be confused about them. The disorder can become more severe during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles as hormones alter and symptoms increase. Women often mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It can also be the reason women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more evident. Women who are not treated for ADHD may not perform as well at work or in school. This could affect their job, grades or reputation. It can also create problems for their personal lives. For example it can cause issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends. Women with chronic disorganization could receive one-on-one assistance by a non-judgmental therapist. They can provide strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making lists of daily tasks and making reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional could recommend medication or lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can worsen the negative effects of stimulant medications. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness is a characteristic that affects decision making across a wide range of aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret uncertain situations as being dangerous. she said was also discovered to be related to a fear of making a mistake, which could help explain why people with adhd have difficulty making decisions. In the study of qualitative research on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed the participants said they were not able to make decisions regarding their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often waited for others to make decisions, or were unable complete projects like organizing childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like inattention and impulsivity or difficulty starting projects were preventing them from progressing. They had a difficult time relaxing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health problems. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety, sleeping less and a poor diet. They also expressed feeling slighted by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial for self-esteem since 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 had a lot of positive qualities however, they struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. These included a lack possibilities for romance or work as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. an unclean home. 5. Lack of self-esteem Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are seen as less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for males and females and so women may are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. Some women might internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in lower self-esteem and could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders. A high self-esteem is a key factor in healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, such as relationships, careers money, power, and relationships. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in the relationship, which could eventually end it. In addition to a lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often have feeling like they don't deserve the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire for others to “keep up” or to please. This can result in an unhealthy work environment as well as a negative image of one's body, and an addiction to food or substances. Although these are significant challenges, the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either a blessing or a curse depending on the way they perceive their ability to control it. Some of them have also identified personal strengths they believe are partially due to their ADHD. These include the ability to be creative, energetic and determination, as well as the ability to easily get interested in new subjects. They also talk about their individual struggles in the context of the larger picture, which includes gender and biological differences, as well as cultural and family issues.