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 belong to a sex binary. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.

ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one environment to be able to receive a diagnosis.

1. Difficulty Focusing

Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem for all genders. Women may find it more challenging to attain the focus they require due to the fact that symptoms usually appear in different ways than in men.

Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely to become emotional and have difficulty putting things into perspective. These problems can lead to an inability of concentration which can lead to an inability to perform at work or home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with their doctor.

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

successful women with adhd who have not been diagnosed with adhd adult Women diagnosis might struggle with their relationships, at school, adhd Adult women diagnosis and at work. They could also be suffering from various comorbidities including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

In these circumstances, it is crucial for health care professionals to be aware of the numerous indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other variables that influence the severity of symptoms. In this way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they need.

2. Impulsivity

Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with other people. This can cause to emotional dysregulation, which is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative outcomes in life. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression and a strained relationship with a partner that can result in conflict between partners, issues with friendships, a messy home or personal space, an inability manage time or money, and a messy house.

Gender stereotypes can also affect how women with ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently considered to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they could be misunderstood or dismissed as being emotionally prone. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about being a victim of untreated ADHD.

Individuals with ADHD have impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they are more prone to making decisions and following through in their intentions. This could make you want to take a bite more cake or to make a snide comment.

Adults with ADHD can benefit from medication that helps to control their impulsivity. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. People suffering from ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them change their thinking patterns and develop more effective coping techniques.

Meditation and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control restlessness and impulsiveness in people suffering from ADHD. It's also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and to share this information with their doctor to determine whether the treatment is working.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization can be a problem for people suffering from ADHD and impact their personal and professional lives. It may take them longer to complete tasks and reduce their efficiency. They might also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.

An absence of organization could cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. In the end, they might feel isolated and lonely. They may also feel that they are not understood by their family and friends. Disorganization is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women adhd diagnosis when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.

Women often mask their adhd screening women 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 typically not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence when symptoms are more evident.

Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may not perform as well at work or in school. This could affect their career, grades, or even their reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal life like issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with friends and family members.

Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from one-on-one help from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by making an agenda and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional could also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can trigger side effects of stimulant medications.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of daily life. Indecisiveness is measured by various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism, and the tendency to apply worst case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret ambiguous situations as dangerous. It has also been proven to be associated with anxiety about being wrong, which may be the reason why it is common for people with adhd to have difficulty making decisions.

In the study that was qualitative of adult women with adhd participants, they said they were not able to make decisions in their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or to stay in, and were difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They frequently were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable to finish projects themselves, such as organizing childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or adhd adult women Diagnosis beginning projects were preventing them from progressing.

They had a difficult time keeping relationships and had trouble relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They reported anxiety and stress, sleeping insufficiently and having poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their struggles which was beneficial for self-esteem because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.

The interviews revealed that the women were very positive and able to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. These included a lack of romantic or career opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and a messy home.

5. Lack of Self-Esteem

Some of the signs of adhd in adult women that are a part of ADHD are seen as less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for boys and men and so women may hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorder. Women who suffer from ADHD might take on the characteristics of ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can cause feelings of self-esteem loss that contribute to depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.

A sense of inner worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look outside themselves for validation, such as relationships, careers money, power, and relationships. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in relationships, which could eventually end it.

In addition to a sense of self-worth, those with ADHD often struggle with a feeling that they don't deserve the good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment, a negative body image and a dependence on food or substances.

While these are major challenges but the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how they feel about their ability to control it. Some of them have also identified their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination and the ability to effortlessly become interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues as in addition to gender and biological differences.