The People Who Are Closest To ADHD Traits In Women Share Some Big Secrets
ADHD Traits in Women Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. Many people don't easily fit into a binary sexuality. However, sex and gender can affect the way symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed. ADHD is diagnosed in early childhood, typically before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple settings to qualify for a diagnoses. 1. Trouble focusing Inattention is the core of ADHD and is an issue for everyone. However, women may find it more challenging to attain the focus they require, especially because symptoms often manifest differently in men. Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on work, resulting in a lack of productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with doctors. In addition to these inherent variations, hormones in women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, as well as hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain function. Women with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school and at work. They might also struggle with a variety of co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder. It is important that health professionals are aware of the numerous signs that females with ADHD show. They should rethink their strategies to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD in order to take into account hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they need. 2. Impulsivity Females with ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It can also be linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression, problematic romantic relationships that can result in conflict between partners, issues with friendships, a messy house or personal space, inability to manage time or money, and a messy house. Gender stereotypes may also impact the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are typically viewed as more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as being emotionally prone. This can cause them to feel more frustrated in being a victim of untreated ADHD. The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and following through in their intentions. This could make you want to eat more cake or make a snide comment. For those who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to enhance their ability to control their impulses. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medicines like the guanfacine and clonidine are effective too. Patients with ADHD might also benefit from behavioral therapy, which helps to change their thinking patterns and develop better strategies for coping. Sleeping enough, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can also help in reducing impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to track their symptoms throughout the day, and to share this information with their physician in order to assess whether the treatment is working. 3. Disorganization Disorganization is a common problem 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 efficiency. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day. A lack of organization can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and isolated. Friends and family members may confuse them. adult add in women are more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones are changing and symptoms increase. It is not unusual for women to hide their ADHD symptoms to fit in with societal norms and avoid being judged. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It can also be the reason girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence when symptoms are more evident. As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This can affect their work, grades or their overall image. It could also cause issues in their personal lives like issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with friends and family members. Women who are chronically unorganized can benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can provide strategies to stay organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and making reminders for them. In adhd in women adults , a qualified mental health professional can recommend medications and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can worsen the side effects of stimulant medications. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness is one of the traits that affects decision making in many areas of life. Several instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be related to the fear of making a mistake which could explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions. In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd the participants reported being unable to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding 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 waited for others to make decisions for them, or were unable to finish projects such as scheduling childcare. They often felt like they were held back by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsivity. They had a difficult time finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which led to mental health problems. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles which was beneficial for self-esteem because it meant they were not blaming themselves. They also had access to the appropriate treatment. The interviews showed that the women had a number of positive characteristics however, they were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their life. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house. 5. Lack of Self-Esteem Women can cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that these symptoms are less acceptable for men and boys. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can cause feelings of low self-esteem which can lead to anxiety, depression or eating disorders. A high self-esteem is a key factor in better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for external things – such as careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships – to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can lead to an absence of communication within the relationship. In addition to a lack of self-worth, those with ADHD frequently struggle with a feeling that they don't have enough of the good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire for others to “keep up with” or to please. This can lead to a toxic work culture and a negative image of the body and an addiction to food or substances. While these are major challenges, the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally describe their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they believe they have control over it. Some of them have also identified strengths they believe are partially due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination and the ability to easily get interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes family and cultural issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.