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 fall into a binary of sex. However, gender and sex can influence the way symptoms of ADHD are identified add and adhd in women treated.

ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of childhood, usually before age 12. ADHD must present symptoms before 12 years of age and cause problems in more than one environment to be eligible for a diagnosis.

1. Trouble focusing

Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD and it's an issue for everyone. Women may have a harder focus, particularly since symptoms can appear differently than they do in males.

Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely to be emotionally triggered and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to a lack of productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss doctor's appointments.

Women's hormones along with these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's functioning.

This is why women with undiagnosed ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships, at school and at work. They might also suffer from a variety of comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

In these circumstances, it is essential for health professionals to recognize the many indications that females with adhd assessment for women (click here to investigate) often exhibit. They need to rethink their methods for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. In this way, these patients will receive the treatment they require.

2. Impulsivity

Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially 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 consequences. These include low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friends and a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.

Gender stereotypes can also influence the way women with ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are thought to be more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.

Individuals with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This could make you want to indulge in more cake or make a snide comment.

Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medication that helps to control their impulses. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medications such as Guanfacine and clonidine can be efficient too. Patients with ADHD may also benefit from behavioral therapy, which can help them alter their thinking patterns and develop more effective coping techniques.

Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest can all help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and then share the information with their doctor to determine whether or not their treatment is working.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization is a common issue for people with ADHD and affect their work and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete tasks, and their productivity may be diminished. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.

Inability to organize can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may miss important dates or misplace things like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and isolated because of this. Family and friends may also confuse their feelings. Disorganization is more common during perimenopause or menopause when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.

It is not unusual for women to hide their ADHD symptoms to conform with the norms of society and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. This could be a reason why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms are more apparent.

Women with untreated ADHD may not perform as well at work or in school. This could affect their job, grades, or their overall image. This could also cause issues for their personal lives. For example, it may lead to difficulties with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.

Women with chronic disorganization can get help one-on-one from a nonjudgmental support person. They can provide strategies to remain organized, for example, making lists of daily tasks and creating reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional could recommend medication or lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can trigger side effects of stimulant medication.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness is a trait that influences decision-making across a wide range of aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to apply worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It is also believed to be correlated with a fear of being wrong, which could help explain why it's common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions.

In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd that were interviewed they said they were not capable of making decisions about their personal and professional lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships and had difficulty finding a job that they liked. They often were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable to complete tasks on their own, like arranging childcare. They often felt like they were restricted by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsivity.

They struggled to maintain relationships and had trouble relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They described having high levels of anxiety and stress and a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by the media and adults. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming themselves. It also gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies.

The interviews revealed that the women had a number of positive characteristics, but they struggled to overcome the effects of their mild adhd in women symptoms on different aspects of their life. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house.

5. Insecurity about oneself

Certain of the symptoms that make up ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for males and females and so women may are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. Women might internalize their ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues which can lead to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.

A sense of inner worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things - like relationships, careers as well as wealth and power to feel a sense of worthiness. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in a relationship, which can eventually end it.

In addition to a sense of self-worth, women who have ADHD frequently struggle with a feeling that they don't deserve the good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can cause toxic workplaces and a negative self-image and an addiction to substance or food.

Despite these challenges the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects to living with ADHD. The majority of them identify their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can manage it. Many of them also recognize their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their adhd symptoms in women test such as high energy, creativity determination and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. They also describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that includes family and cultural issues, as also gender and biological differences.