The Benefits Of ADHD Traits In Women At The Very Least Once In Your Lifetime
ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people do not fall into a binary of sex. However, gender and sex can influence the way symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in early childhood, typically before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be eligible for an assessment.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and can affect both women and men. Women may have a harder to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can manifest differently than males.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely to be emotionally triggered and have trouble putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on work, resulting in an inability to perform at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip doctor's appointments.
In addition to these natural variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, and hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain's function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school and at work. They could also struggle with a myriad of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
It is crucial that health professionals are aware of the many clues females with ADHD display. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other factors that affect the severity of symptoms. Patients can 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 result in to emotional dysregulation, which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It can also be associated with negative life outcomes. These include low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult romantic relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, problems with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact the way women with ADHD are treated. This Webpage might be misunderstood since they are perceived as more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can increase their frustration about living with untreated ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or to make an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults with ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help them manage their impulses. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy may also be recommended, which can aid people suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stress.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can all help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It is also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and communicate this data with their doctor to assess whether their treatment plan is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for people suffering from ADHD and impact their work and personal lives. It may take them longer to complete their tasks and reduce their productivity. They might also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.
A lack of organization can cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and isolated. They can also feel misunderstood by their family and friends. The disorder is more prevalent during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones change and symptoms increase.
It is not unusual for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to fit in with societal norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It may be a reason why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially true in adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might have a poor performance at school or at work. This can impact their job, grades, or overall standing. This could also cause issues in their personal lives. For example it can cause difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.
Women who are chronically disorganized can get help one-on-one by a non-judgmental therapist. They can provide strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and setting reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can recommend medications and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can increase the adverse effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of life. A variety of instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is because people interpret uncertain situations as being threatening. It was also discovered to be associated with the fear of making a mistake which could explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd that were interviewed the participants said they were not in a position to make decisions about their personal and professional lives. They had a difficult time finding a job they liked or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They frequently were dependent on others to decide or were unable complete projects themselves, such as arranging childcare. They often felt they were being restricted by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsive.
They had trouble in establishing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health problems. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety and sleeping less, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by the media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles which was beneficial to their self-esteem because it meant they weren't blaming themselves. They also had access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.
The interviews revealed that the women had many positive qualities however, they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Self-esteem issues
Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that these behaviors aren't as acceptable for men and boys. They may also be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to lower self-esteem and could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a prerequisite for better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships, money, and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can lead to a lack in communication within relationships.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, those with ADHD often struggle with a feeling that they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to toxic work cultures and a negative self-image and an addiction of substances or food.
While these are serious issues, the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally identify their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can control it. Several of them also identify their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD such as high energy, creativity determination, and the ability to get easily interested in new topics. They also discuss their unique struggles as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues as well as biological and gender differences.