ADHD Traits in Women

Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people don't easily fit into an unisexual gender. However, sex and gender influence the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.

ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple environments to qualify for a diagnoses.

1. Trouble focusing

Inattention is at the heart of adhd symptoms for women, and it's an issue for everyone. Women may have a harder focus, particularly since symptoms can appear differently than 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 difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss doctor's appointments.

The hormones that women experience along with these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which aids in learning and memory, and hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain's functioning.

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

For these reasons, it is crucial for health care professionals to be aware of the various indications that females with ADHD often show. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. The patients will then receive the treatment they need.

2. Impulsivity

Women with ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life results. This can include low self-esteem, anxiety and depression that coexist as well as problematic relationships with loved ones, which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with relationships, a messy home or personal space, inability to manage time or money and a messy home.

Gender stereotypes can affect how women with ADHD are treated. Because they are often considered to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they could be viewed as emotionally unstable. This can exacerbate their frustrations about living with untreated adhd is different for women.

People with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and following through with their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public.

Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medication that helps them manage their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medicines like clonidine and guanfacine can be efficient too. People with ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help to change their mental patterns and develop better coping techniques.

Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all help to control anxiety and impulsiveness among people suffering from ADHD. It's important to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician so they can assess whether their treatment plan is working.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization can be a problem for those suffering from ADHD and impact their personal and professional lives. It can take them longer to complete tasks and reduce their productivity. They might also be late or overwhelmed throughout the day.

Inability to organize can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel isolated and lonely. Friends and family members may confuse them. Disorganization is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.

It is not uncommon for women to hide their ADHD symptoms to conform with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can result in self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. This could be the reason girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more obvious.

As a result, women with untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This can impact their work, grades or overall standing. It can also create problems for their personal lives. For instance it can cause issues with romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends.

Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from one-on-one help from a non-judgmental, supportive person. 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. A licensed mental health professional could also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that will aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of life. Indecisiveness is measured by various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, in which people interpret ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be related to the fear of making a mistake which could explain why people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.

In the qualitative study of women who have adhd in their adult adhd in women lives participants, they described being unable to make decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships and had difficulty finding an occupation they liked. They frequently waited for other people to decide or were unable to complete tasks on their own, like arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or getting started on projects were holding them back.

They had a difficult time keeping friendships and had difficulty relaxing, leading to problems with their mental health. They reported having high levels of anxiety and stress as well as an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by adults and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they were not blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment.

The interviews showed that the women adhd diagnosis had a number of positive characteristics however, they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their lives. The women complained of the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.

5. Insecurity about oneself

Certain of the symptoms that make up adhd for adult women are seen as less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for boys and men Some women choose to hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorder. They also may internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to lower self-esteem and could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.

A sense of inner worth is the basis for better relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look outside themselves for validation, like jobs, relationships as well as money and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can lead to a lack in communication within relationships.

Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women who have ADHD often have a feeling that they don't deserve the good things happening in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can result in toxic workplace cultures and a negative self-image and a dependence on food or substances.

While these are serious issues however, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage according to the way they perceive their ability to control it. Many of them also recognize their own strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD, including the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.