ADHD Traits in Women

Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't fit into a sex binary. However, gender and sex can affect how symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.

ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. ADHD must show signs of add in adult women before 12 years of age and cause problems in more than one environment to be eligible for a diagnosis.

1. Difficulty Focusing

Inattention is the root of ADHD and can affect both women and men. Women may have a harder time focusing, especially since symptoms can manifest differently than in men.

Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely to experience emotional stress and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus on work, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss doctor's appointments.

In addition to these inherent gender differences, hormones of women can make ADHD symptoms more severe. The female hippocampus is larger, which aids in memory and learning. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.

As a result, women who do not have a diagnosis of best adhd medication for adult women can have major struggles in relationships at school, ADHD Traits in Women in relationships, and at work. They may also be struggling with a host of comorbid disorders, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.

For these reasons, it is crucial for health care professionals to recognize the many clues that females with ADHD often show. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that can influence symptom severity. In this way, these patients can finally get the treatment they require.

2. Impulsivity

Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they are interacting with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life results. This includes low self-esteem, anxiety and depression that coexist and a strained relationship with a partner which can lead to conflicts between partners, problems with friendships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.

Gender stereotypes can also influence how women with ADHD will be treated. Because they are frequently viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can lead to their frustration in being a victim of untreated ADHD.

The impulse control portion of the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they are more prone to making decisions and sticking with their goals. This can make it hard to resist the temptation to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate statement in public.

Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help to control their impulses. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy is also recommended, which can help people with ADHD modify their thinking patterns and develop better ways to cope with stress.

Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can all help to control anxiety and impulsiveness among people suffering from ADHD. It is also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and then share the information with their doctor in order to assess whether their treatment is working.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization is a common problem for people suffering from adhd in adult women and can impact their professional and personal lives. It may take longer to complete tasks and reduce their efficiency. They may also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.

Inability to organize can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose belongings like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel isolated and lonely. They can also feel misunderstood by their family and friends. Disorganization can be worse during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles, when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.

Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly evident in adolescence when symptoms are more evident.

Women with untreated ADHD might have a poor performance at school or at work. This can affect their career, grades or overall standing. This can also cause problems for their personal lives. For example it could lead to problems with their relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.

Women who are chronically disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental friend. They can teach women how to stay organized by creating lists and setting reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can recommend changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can increase side effects from stimulant medications.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of life. Indecisiveness is measured by several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism, and the tendency to use worst-case scenario thinking, in which people interpret ambiguous situations as dangerous. It has also been found to be associated with a fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.

In the qualitative study on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed, they described not being in a position to make decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find a job they liked or to stay in, and found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They frequently were dependent on others to decide or were unable to complete projects on their own, for example, arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like impulsivity and difficulty focusing or starting projects were holding them back.

They struggled to keep friendships and were unable to relax and recharging their mental health. They reported anxiety and stress, lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted 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. It also gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.

The interviews revealed that the women were very optimistic, but struggled to overcome the effects of adhd women uk on different aspects of their lives. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home.

5. Lack of self-esteem

Certain of the symptoms that are a part of inattentive adhd in women are seen as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for men and boys and so women may are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. Some women might take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss which can lead to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.

A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the precursor to better relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, such as careers, relationships, money, and power. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause a lack of communication in the relationship, which could eventually end it.

Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel they do not deserve good things in life. These feelings can manifest as a desire for others to "keep up" or to please. This can result in an unhealthy work environment as well as a negative image of one's body, and an addiction to food or substances.

While these are serious issues but the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as positive or negative depending on the way they perceive their ability to manage it. A few of them also point out personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD, including high energy, creativity determination and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues as in addition to gender and biological differences.