Is ADHD Traits In Women The Best Thing There Ever Was?

ADHD Traits in Women

Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. Many people don't easily fit into the binary sex. Sexe and gender can affect how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.

ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be able to receive a diagnosis.

1. Problems with Focusing

Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. However, women might have a harder time to achieve the attention they require particularly since symptoms typically manifest in different ways for men.

Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization for instance. They are also more likely to experience emotional stress and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability of concentration which can lead to an absence of productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip doctor's appointments.

In addition to these inherent gender differences, hormones of women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a bigger hippocampus that aids in 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.

This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in their relationships, and at work. They may also have multiple comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

This is why it's critical for health care professionals to recognize the many clues that females with ADHD often show. They need to rethink their methods to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they need.

2. Impulsivity

Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with others. This can lead emotional dysregulation which is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative outcomes in life. These include poor self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.

Gender stereotypes can affect how women who suffer from ADHD will be treated. Because they are typically viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they could be misunderstood or dismissed as being emotionally prone. This can cause them to feel more frustrated at living with untreated ADHD.

The impulse control portion of the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.

For those who suffer from ADHD medications can help to improve their ability to control their impulsivity. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medications such as Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective too. Behavioral therapy may also be advised, which will help people with ADHD modify their thinking patterns and develop more effective ways of coping.

A good night's sleep, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can also help to control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is important to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share this data with their doctor to determine if their treatment plan is effective.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from ADHD, and can affect their work and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete their tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They might also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.

An absence of organization could make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose belongings like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated because of this. Friends and family may be confused about them. Disorganization can be worse during perimenopause and menopause, when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.

Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to 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 are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially true in adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious.

In the end women who are not treated for ADHD might experience poor work or school performance. This could have a negative impact on their career, grades, or reputation. It can also cause problems in their personal lives like issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with friends and family members.

Women who are constantly disorganized can benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating an agenda and establishing reminders. A qualified mental health professional may also suggest medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller 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 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.  high functioning adhd in women  has also been associated with neuroticism and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret uncertain situations as threat. It is also believed to be associated with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people with adhd to have difficulty making decisions.

In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd interviewed the participants said they were not in a position to make decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships, and struggled to find a job that they liked. They frequently were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable complete projects on their own, for example, organizing childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects were holding them back.

They had a difficult time relaxing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health issues. They described high levels of anxiety and stress, lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by other adults and by the media. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies.

The interviews revealed that women had many positive qualities but were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their life. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house.

5. Self-esteem issues

Some of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are seen 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. Some women may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can cause feelings of self-esteem issues which can lead to depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.

A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the basis for better relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, like jobs, relationships, money, and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can lead to the lack of communication in a relationship.

Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD frequently struggle with feeling like they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to negative work environments and a negative image of the body and an addiction to food or other substances.

Despite these major challenges However, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them say that they view their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can manage it. A few of them also point out their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD such as the ability to be creative, high energy determination, and the ability to become easily interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.