Learned helplessness – how does it show up in ADHDer’s?

Is there a difference on how it shows up in females over males?

Learned helplessness can also feed apathy, in that nothing can help, they're stuck and there is no end to their perceived suffering.

Learned helplessness—a state where individuals feel powerless to change their circumstances after repeated failures—is particularly relevant for those with ADHD. This phenomenon can be more pronounced in females due to societal expectations and diagnostic biases.

How Learned Helplessness Manifests in ADHD

Individuals with ADHD often face repeated challenges in areas like attention, organization, and impulse control. Over time, these repeated struggles can lead to a sense of futility, where the person believes that no matter how hard they try, success is unattainable. This mindset can result in decreased motivation, avoidance of tasks, and increased frustration.

A study focusing on boys with ADHD found that they were more likely to give up on tasks after experiencing unsolvable problems, indicating a susceptibility to learned helplessness. These boys also reported higher levels of frustration compared to their peers without ADHD.

It should be noted that studies on ADHD has primarily focused on males over females. It's more expensive to study females but these barriers are now being addressed, but almost all information is based on male findings.

Gender Differences: Are Females More Affected?

While both males and females with ADHD can experience learned helplessness, females often face unique challenges that may exacerbate this condition:

• Under diagnosis and Misdiagnosis: Females with ADHD are frequently under diagnosed or misdiagnosed, often because their symptoms are less overt or disruptive. This lack of recognition can lead to internalized feelings of inadequacy and self-blame.

  
  

• Internalization of Failures: Women with ADHD are more likely to internalize their struggles, attributing failures to personal shortcomings rather than external factors. This perspective can deepen feelings of helplessness and reduce self-esteem.

  
  

• Societal Expectations: Societal norms often place higher expectations on women to be organized, attentive, and emotionally regulated. When women with ADHD struggle to meet these standards, they may experience heightened shame and a sense of failure.

  
  

• Comorbid Conditions: Females with ADHD are more prone to comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression, which can further entrench feelings of helplessness and hinder efforts to seek help or implement coping strategies.

Learned helplessness can look and feel like depression and symptoms can mirror it, but there is a way out of the pattern you have developed if you look for a practitioner that specialized in ADHD treatment.

Addressing Learned Helplessness in ADHD

Recognizing and addressing learned helplessness in individuals with ADHD, especially females, is crucial:

• Early and Accurate Diagnosis: Improving diagnostic criteria to better capture the presentation of ADHD in females can lead to earlier interventions and reduce the development of learned helplessness.

  
  

• Therapeutic Interventions: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help individuals reframe negative thought patterns and develop effective coping strategies. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is another holistic form of therapy that has amazing results, bringing people back into a positive frame of mind instead of dwelling in the negative.

  
  

• Support Systems: Building strong support networks, including family, friends, and support groups, can provide encouragement and reduce feelings of isolation.

  
  

• Education and Awareness: Increasing awareness about the diverse presentations of ADHD can help reduce stigma and promote understanding, allowing individuals to seek help without shame.

  
  

In summary, while learned helplessness can affect all individuals with ADHD, females may be more susceptible due to a combination of under diagnosis, societal pressures, and internalization of failures. Addressing these factors through comprehensive support and tailored interventions is essential for mitigating the impact of learned helplessness.