ADHD Traits in Women

Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people do not fit into a sex binary. However, gender and sex influence how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.

ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause difficulties in multiple settings to be able to receive an assessment.

1. Problems with Focusing

Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and can affect both men and women. But women may find it more challenging to achieve the focus they need due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest differently for men.

Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have a difficult time putting things add in women test perspective. These problems can create an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or at home. They are also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medications.

In addition to these inherent gender differences, hormones of women can make ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, as well as hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain's functioning.

Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school and at work. They may also have multiple comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

It is essential that health professionals are aware of the many signs females suffering from ADHD show. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD in order to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. This way, patients will receive the treatment they need.

2. Impulsivity

Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life results. This includes low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friends and a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.

Gender stereotypes may also impact the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are perceived as more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.

The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or to make an inappropriate comment in public.

For those who suffer from ADHD, medication can help to increase their ability to control their impulses. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. People suffering from ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps them alter their thinking patterns and develop better methods of coping.

Sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet, and practicing meditation can help control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and share the information with their doctor to determine if their treatment for adhd in women plan is working.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization is a common problem for ADHD Traits in Women people suffering from ADHD and can impact their personal and professional life. They may find it difficult to complete tasks, and their productivity may be reduced. They could also miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.

An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may not remember important dates or even lose things like purses or keys. Consequently, they may feel lonely and alone. Friends and family members may be confused about them. The disorder is more prevalent during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.

It is not unusual for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with societal norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It could also be the reason girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with adhd in women diagnosis particularly during adolescence, when symptoms become more apparent.

As a result women who are not treated for ADHD might have poor work or school performance. This could affect their job, grades, or overall reputation. This could also cause issues for their personal life. For example it can cause difficulties with romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends.

Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help by a non-judgmental therapist. They can provide strategies to remain organized, for example, making an agenda of the daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may also recommend medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can cause an increase in the adverse effects of stimulant medication.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of our lives. Several instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, in which people perceive ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be linked to the fear of making a mistake which could explain why people with adhd have trouble making decisions.

In the qualitative study of women who have adhd in their adult add women lives, interviewees reported being unable to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They struggled to find a job they liked or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often waited for others to make decisions, or were unable to finish projects such as arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms such as inattention and impulsivity or difficulty starting projects were holding them back.

They had difficulty finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive, which led to mental health problems. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, an inability to sleep and a poor diet. They also expressed feeling devalued by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties, which was helpful for self-esteem because it meant they were not blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to appropriate treatments.

The interviews revealed that the women had a number of positive characteristics but were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. This included a lack of romantic or career opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home.

5. Lack of Self-Esteem

Certain of the symptoms that make up ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for males and females, so some women hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and attention deficit disorder in women. Women might take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss that can cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.

Having high inner worth is a precursor to healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves to find validation, including relationships, careers money, power, and relationships. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause a lack of communication in a relationship, which can ultimately end it.

In addition to a sense of self-worth, women with ADHD often struggle with a feeling that they don't have enough of the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can result in toxic workplace cultures as well as a negative self-image and an addiction of substances or food.

Although these are significant challenges but the women who participated in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally describe their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can control it. Some have identified personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to effortlessly become interested in new subjects. They also discuss their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues as also gender and biological differences.