ADHD Traits in Women

Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't fall into a binary of sex. Sexe and gender can affect the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.

ADHD is diagnosed in early childhood, typically before age 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple environments to be eligible for a diagnosis.

1. Difficulty Focusing

Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is an issue for everyone. Women may have more difficulty to attain the focus they require, especially because symptoms often manifest in different ways in men.

Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can create an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to a lack of productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss doctor's appointments.

In addition to these innate differences, women's hormones can make ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in memory and learning, and hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.

In the end, women with undiagnosed ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They might also suffer from multiple comorbid disorders including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

In these circumstances, it is crucial for health care professionals to recognize the many clues that females with ADHD often show. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. Patients can then receive the treatment they require.

2. Impulsivity

Females suffering from ADHD are more likely to have trouble managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can cause to emotional dysregulation that is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It can also be associated with negative life outcomes. This can include low self-esteem, anxiety and depression, problematic romantic relationships which can lead to conflicts between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money and a messy home.

Gender stereotypes can also influence how women with ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently considered to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can lead to their frustration in living with untreated ADHD.

The impulse control portion of the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and executing their intentions. This could cause you to want to take a bite more cake or to make a rude comment.

Adults with ADHD can benefit from medication that helps them manage their impulses. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy can also be suggested, which can help people with ADHD alter their thinking patterns and learn healthier coping skills.

Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control restlessness and impulsiveness in people suffering from ADHD. It's important to track their symptoms throughout the day and communicate this information with their physician to assess whether their treatment regimen is working.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization is a common issue for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their work and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete tasks and their efficiency may be reduced. They could also miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.

A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may miss important dates or misplace things like purses or keys. In the end, they might feel isolated and lonely. Friends and family members may be confused about them. Disorganization can be worse during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles, when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.

Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to fit into societal norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. This could be a reason why girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.

In the end, women with untreated ADHD might have poor work or school performance. This could have a negative impact on their career, grades, or their image. It can also cause problems in their personal life, such as difficulties with romantic partners, or strained relationships with friends and family members.

Women who are chronically disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating a list and establishing reminders. A qualified mental health professional could also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine that can increase side effects of stimulant medications.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness is a characteristic that can affect decision-making in a variety of areas of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and the tendency to apply worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It was also discovered to be associated with the fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.

In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd, interviewees said they were unable to make decisions attention Deficit disorder in adult women 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 waited for other people to decide or were unable to complete tasks on their own, like organizing childcare. They often felt they were being held back by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsivity.

They had difficulty finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which resulted in mental health problems. They described stress and anxiety, a sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by the media and adults. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD, which helped them increase their self-esteem since they were not blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatments.

The interviews revealed that women were very positive however, they struggled to overcome the effects of mild adhd in women on different aspects of their lives. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships and a messy home.

5. Insecurity about oneself

Some of the signs that make up ADHD are seen as less acceptable socially for women and adhd and girls than they are for males and females Some women choose to are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. Women might internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in low self-esteem, which can contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.

A high sense of inner worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who lack self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, like careers, relationships money, power, and relationships. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in a lack of communication in the relationship, which could eventually end it.

Women with ADHD may also feel they don't deserve the best adhd medication for adult women things in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can lead to negative work environments as well as a negative image of one's body and a dependence on foods or substances.

Despite these issues the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally say that they view their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can manage it. Many of them also recognize personal strengths that they believe are a result of 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 discuss their unique struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well cultural and family issues.