ADHD Traits in Women

Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't fit into a sex binary. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD add symptoms in women are diagnosed and treated.

ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one setting to qualify for an assessment.

1. Trouble focusing

Inattention is at the core of ADHD and can affect both genders. But women might have a harder time to achieve the focus they need, especially because symptoms often appear in different ways than for men.

Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate and can result in an inability to perform at work or at home. They're also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medication.

The hormones of women as well as these innate differences can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is bigger, which aids in learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.

This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in relationships and at work. They could also be suffering from a variety of comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

This is why it's critical for health care professionals to recognize the many indicators that females suffering from ADHD often show. They must recalibrate their approaches for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD in order to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. The patients will then receive the treatment they require.

2. Impulsivity

Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with others. This can result in to emotional dysregulation, which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. These include low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.

Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can exacerbate their frustrations about being a victim of untreated ADHD.

The impulse control portion of the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means that they have more trouble making decisions and following through with their intentions. This could cause you to want to take a bite more cake or to make a rude comment.

Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medications that help to control their impulses. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy can also be suggested, which can aid people suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn healthier coping skills.

Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough rest can all be helpful in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician to assess whether their treatment regimen is effective.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with adhd with women, and can affect their work and personal lives. It can take longer to complete tasks and reduce their productivity. They could also be late or overwhelmed every day.

Insanity can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may miss important dates or misplace things like purses or keys. In the end, they might feel isolated and lonely. Friends and family may misunderstand them. Disorganization can be worse in menopausal or perimenopausal women as hormones alter and symptoms become more severe.

It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to conform with society's norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It could be a reason for why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious.

Women who are not treated for ADHD may not perform as well at school or at work. This can affect their career, grades or their overall image. This can also cause problems for their personal lives. For instance it can cause issues with relationships with their partners or breakups with family members and friends.

women in Adhd with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help by a non-judgmental therapist. They can provide strategies to get and stay organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and making reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may recommend medication or lifestyle changes that will aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can increase side effects of stimulant medications.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness is a trait that affects decision making across a wide range of aspects of life. A variety of 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 use worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It was also found to be associated with the fear of making a mistake which could explain why people with adhd have trouble making decisions.

In the qualitative study of adult adhd in women women suffering from adhd participants, they described being incapable of making decisions in their work and personal lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships and had difficulty finding a job that they liked. They frequently waited for other people to make decisions or were unable complete projects on their own, for example, scheduling childcare. They often felt that they were being held back by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsivity.

They had a difficult time keeping friendships and had difficulty relaxing and recharging their mental health. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, a lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by media and adults. The diagnosis of adult female adhd symptoms offered them an explanation for their difficulties which was beneficial for self-esteem since it meant they were not blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to appropriate treatments.

The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. The women reported an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.

5. Self-esteem issues

Certain of the symptoms that are a part of ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for boys and men and so women may conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. They also may internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues which can lead to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.

A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look outside themselves to find validation, including careers, relationships, money, and power. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication within the relationship, which could eventually end it.

In addition to a lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often have 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" or to please. This can result in an unhealthy work environment and a negative image of the body, and an addiction to foods or substances.

Although these are significant challenges but the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them say that they view their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they believe they can control it. Several of them also identify personal strengths that they believe are due to their adhd assessment for adult women such as high energy, creativity, determination, and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes family and cultural issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.