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 do not belong to a sex binary. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.

ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. best adhd medication for adult women symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple environments to be able to receive a diagnosis.

1. Trouble focusing

Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and can affect both men and women. Women may have a harder focus, particularly since symptoms may manifest differently than men.

Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely to become emotional and have difficulty putting things into perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to skip doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications.

The hormones of add women, in addition to these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.

This is why women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They could also struggle with a host of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.

This is why it's critical for health professionals to recognize the many indications that females with ADHD often show. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD in order to recognize hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. In this way, these patients will receive the treatment they need.

2. Impulsivity

Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with other people. This can lead emotional dysregulation which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression, problematic romantic relationships, which can lead to conflicts between partners, problems with friendships, a messy house or personal space, an inability manage time or money and a messy home.

Gender stereotypes may also impact how women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are perceived as more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.

People suffering from ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and sticking with their goals. This can make it hard to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate statement in public.

Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medication that helps them manage their tendency to be impulsive. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine can reduce the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. People suffering from ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps to change their thinking patterns and develop more effective coping techniques.

Meditation and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all be helpful in reducing anxiety and impulsiveness among people suffering from ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and share the information with their doctor so they can assess whether the treatment regimen is effective.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization is a common problem in people with adhd in women over 50, and can affect their personal and professional life. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks and their efficiency may be reduced. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.

A lack of organization can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. In the end, they might feel isolated and lonely. Friends and family members may be confused about them. The disorder is more prevalent in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.

It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform with society's norms and avoid being judged. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It may be a reason for why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious.

Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may not perform as well at school or at work. This can impact their career, grades or overall standing. It can also create problems for their personal lives. For example it could lead to difficulties with relationships with their partners or breakups with family members and friends.

Women who are constantly disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. They can provide strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making an agenda of the daily tasks and creating reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional can also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that will help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine that can cause adverse effects of stimulant medication.

4. Indecisiveness

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

In the study that was qualitative of adult women with adhd, interviewees described being unable to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships, and had trouble finding a job that they liked. They often waited for others to make decisions, or were unable complete projects like arranging childcare. They often felt like they were being hindered by their adhd for adult women symptoms, for example, difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsivity.

They had a difficult time keeping friendships and had difficulty relaxing, leading to problems with their mental health. They described high levels of stress and anxiety, a sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by their peers and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD, which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming others. It also gave them access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.

The interviews showed that the women had a lot of positive qualities but were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their life. These included a lack of romantic or career opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and a messy home.

5. Self-esteem issues

Some of the symptoms that are a part of ADHD are seen as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for males and females, so some women conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. Some women might take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to low self-esteem, which could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.

A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - like careers, relationships, wealth, and power - to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can also lead to the lack of communication in the relationship.

In addition to a lack of self-worth, women with ADHD frequently struggle with the feeling that they don't deserve the positive things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with other people. This can result in toxic workplace cultures as well as a negative self-image and an addiction to substances or food.

Despite these significant issues, women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either positive or negative according to how they feel about their ability to manage it. A few of them also point out personal strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD, including high energy, creativity, determination, and the ability to get easily interested in new topics. They also talk about their own struggles within the context of an overall picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well as cultural and family issues.