7 Secrets About ADHD Traits In Women That No One Will Tell You
ADHD Traits in Women Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones—and that many people do not fit into a sex binary. Sexe and gender can affect the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed. ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be able to receive an assessment. 1. Difficulty Focusing Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD and it's an issue for everyone. Women may have a tougher to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can manifest differently than in men. Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They're also more likely to be emotionally triggered and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability of concentration and can result in an inability to perform at home or work. They're also more likely to skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medications. In addition to these innate gender differences, hormones of women can make ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which aids in memory and learning, and hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain function. In adhd in women treatment , women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in their relationships and at work. They could also be suffering from various comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. It is crucial that health professionals are aware of the many signs females suffering from ADHD show. They should rethink their strategies to diagnose and treat females with ADHD in order to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. That way, these patients will receive the treatment they need. 2. Impulsivity Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially the case when they interact with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friends as well as a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money. The gender stereotypes of women can influence how women who suffer from ADHD will be treated. Because they are frequently viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they can be viewed as emotionally unstable. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about being a victim of untreated ADHD. People suffering from ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate statement in public. Adults with ADHD are able to benefit from medication that helps to control their impulsivity. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine may reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy can also be recommended, which can aid people suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stress. Sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can help control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and share the information with their doctor to determine whether their treatment is working. 3. Disorganization Disorganization is a typical issue in people with ADHD and can have a negative impact on their personal and professional life. It can take them longer to complete tasks and decrease their productivity. They might also be late and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis. Insanity can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. In the end, they might feel isolated and lonely. Family and friends may also misunderstand them. Disorganization can be worse during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles, when hormones change and symptoms intensify. It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to fit in with societal norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It may be a reason why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious. Women with untreated ADHD might have a poor performance at work or in school. This can affect their job, grades, or overall reputation. This can also cause problems for their personal lives. For example it can cause difficulties with romantic partners or strain relationships with family members and friends. Women who are chronically disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can help them learn strategies to stay organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may recommend medication or lifestyle changes that can help minimize ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can cause an increase in the negative effects of stimulant medication. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret uncertain situations as being threatening. It is also believed to be correlated with the fear of being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions. In the study that was qualitative of women who have adhd in their adult lives, interviewees described being not able to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships and had difficulty finding a job that they liked. They often had to wait for others to take decisions, or were unable to complete tasks like scheduling childcare. They often felt they were restricted by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsive. They had a difficult time keeping relationships and had trouble relaxing, leading to problems with their mental health. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety and an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by their peers and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD, which helped them improve their self-esteem because they were not blaming themselves. women and adhd had access to the appropriate treatment. The interviews revealed that the women were very optimistic, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home. 5. Lack of self-esteem Some of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for boys and men, so some women are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD might take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in low self-esteem, which could cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders. A sense of inner worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves to find validation, including careers, relationships as well as money and power. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in a relationship, which can ultimately end it. Women with ADHD may also feel they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings can manifest as a desire for others to “keep up” or to please. This can result in a toxic work culture, a negative body image and an addiction to food or substances. Despite these challenges, women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them describe their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they feel they have control over it. Some of them have identified personal strengths they believe are partially due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to quickly become interested in new topics. They also describe their unique struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.