ADHD Traits in Women

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

ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before age 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause difficulties in more than one setting to be eligible for the diagnosis.

1. Trouble focusing

Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem that affects both men and women. But women might have a harder time 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 experience disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability of concentration, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or home. They're also more likely to skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medications.

Women's hormones along with these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's functioning.

This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They may also be struggling with a host of comorbid disorders, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder.

It is crucial that health professionals are aware of the numerous signs that females with ADHD display. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing adhd in adult women and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other variables that affect the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they need.

2. Impulsivity

Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with other people. This can cause to emotional dysregulation that is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, coexisting depression and anxiety, problematic romantic relationships, which can lead to violence between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability manage time or money and a messy home.

The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can increase their frustration in being diagnosed with ADHD.

The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex is affected in people with ADHD. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.

Adults with ADHD are able to benefit from medication that helps them control their tendency to be impulsive. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can reduce impulsive behavior. 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, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help to control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day, and share this information with their doctor to determine whether the treatment is working.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization can be a major issue for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their personal and professional lives. They may have trouble to complete tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They could also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.

A lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and alone. They can also feel misunderstood by their family and friends. The attention deficit disorder in women can become more severe during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles as hormones alter and symptoms intensify.

It is not unusual for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to fit in with society's norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. This could be a reason for why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly evident in adolescence when symptoms are more apparent.

In the end, women with untreated ADHD might have poor work or school performance. This could have a negative impact on their work, grades, or reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal life, such as difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members.

Women who are constantly disorganized can benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental friend. They can teach women how to stay organized by making an agenda and establishing reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional may recommend medications and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can increase the negative effects of stimulant medication.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and with the tendency to apply worst case scenario thinking, which is where people perceive ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It is also believed to be linked with anxiety about being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty making decisions.

In the study that was qualitative of adult adhd in women women suffering from Adhd Women Assessment, interviewees described being not able to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or to stay in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often had to wait for others to make decisions or were unable complete tasks on their own, like arranging childcare. They often felt like they were being held back by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsivity.

They had difficulty finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which resulted in mental health problems. They reported high levels of anxiety and stress as well as sleeping less, and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by the media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-esteem because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment.

The interviews revealed that the women had many positive qualities however, they were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their life. These included a lack possibilities for romance or work and difficulties in maintaining relationships. a messy home.

5. Lack of self-esteem

Some of the symptoms that make up ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for men and boys Some women choose to are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can result in low self-esteem, which could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.

A sense of inner worth is the basis for better 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, and power. Cheryl Clarke, Understanding women with adhd a licensed therapist, says that this can also result in a lack in communication within the relationship.

Women suffering from ADHD may also feel that 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 cause toxic workplaces and a negative self-image and an addiction of food or substances.

While these are serious issues but the add women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as a blessing or a curse depending on the way they perceive their ability to manage it. A few of them also point out personal strengths they believe are partly due to their ADHD which include the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to become easily interested inattentive add in women new topics. They also describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues as also gender and biological differences.