10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From ADHD Traits In Women
ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people don't fit into a sex binary. Genre and gender can influence the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple settings to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and affects both women and men. However, women might have a harder time to achieve the attention they require particularly since symptoms typically appear in different ways than for men.
Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on tasks, leading to an inability to perform at work or at home. They're also more likely to miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
In addition to these innate variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain function.
In the end, women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships, at school and at work. They might also suffer from multiple comorbid disorders like anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
For these reasons, it is essential for health care professionals to be aware of the numerous indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD in order to account for emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. Patients can then receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they are interacting with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life consequences. This can include low self-esteem, anxiety and depression and a strained relationship with a partner which can lead to conflicts between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, inability to manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women with ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can exacerbate their frustrations about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they have a harder time making decisions and executing their intentions. This could make you want to indulge in more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
For those who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to enhance their ability to manage their impulsivity. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medications such as the guanfacine and clonidine are effective too. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will help people with ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop better ways to cope with stress.
A good night's sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help in reducing impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's important to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this data with their doctor to assess whether their treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common problem for people suffering from ADHD, and can affect their work and personal lives. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks, and their productivity may be reduced. They might also be late and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.
A lack of organization can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose belongings like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and isolated. They can also feel misunderstood by family and friends. Disorganization is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change 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. This could also be the reason women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious.
In the end women who are not treated for ADHD might experience poor work or school performance. This can negatively impact their work, grades, or even their reputation. This can also cause problems in their personal lives. For example it could lead to difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can provide strategies to get and stay organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and creating reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional may also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can increase the side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that influences decision-making across a wide range of aspects of life. Several instruments have been developed to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism, and the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people perceive ambiguous situations as dangerous. It has also been proven to be associated with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people with adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed, they described not being able to make decisions about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had difficulty finding an occupation they liked. They often had to wait for others to make decisions or were unable complete projects on their own, for example, organizing 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 struggled to maintain friendships and had difficulty relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety, an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-esteem since it meant they weren't blamed for their condition. They also had access to the appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews showed that the women had a lot of positive qualities, but they were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their lives. add in adult women www.iampsychiatry.uk included a lack of romantic or career opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. an unclean home.
5. Self-esteem issues
Some of the signs that are a part of ADHD are viewed as less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for males and females Some women choose to hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disorganization. Women may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem which can lead to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a key factor in healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek external things - such as careers, relationships as well as wealth and power - to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also result in an absence of communication within the relationship.
Women with ADHD may also feel they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to a toxic work culture and a negative image of the body and a dependence on food or other substances.
Despite these major difficulties the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either a blessing or a curse according to how they feel about their ability to manage it. Many of them also recognize their own strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD which include the ability to be creative, high energy, determination, and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. They also describe their own struggles within the context of a larger picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well as cultural and family issues.