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. However, sex and gender can affect the way symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.

ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause difficulties in multiple settings to be able to receive an assessment.

1. Problems with Focusing

Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and can affect both women and men. Women may have a difficult focus, particularly since symptoms may manifest differently than in males.

Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate and can result in an absence of productivity at home or work. They're also more likely miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medications.

In addition to these innate variations, hormones in women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is bigger which helps with memory and learning. Menstrual hormone fluctuations or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopausal cycles can affect brain function.

As a result, women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in their relationships, and at work. They could also be suffering from various comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

This is why it is essential for health care professionals to recognize the many indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that affect the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they need.

2. Impulsivity

Females suffering from ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with other people. This can result in to emotional dysregulation that is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative outcomes in life. These include low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, problems with friendships and a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.

The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women with ADHD will be treated. They could be misunderstood as they are thought to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can lead to their frustration at being a victim of untreated ADHD.

Individuals with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means they are more prone to making decisions and following through with their goals. This could cause you to want to eat more cake or make an inappropriate comment.

Adults with ADHD can benefit from medications that help to control their tendency to be impulsive. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. People with ADHD may also benefit from a behavioral therapy, which helps to change their thinking patterns and develop more effective coping techniques.

Meditation and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control anxiety and impulsiveness among people with ADHD. It's important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and communicate this information with their physician to determine if the treatment regimen is working.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization can be a major issue for people with ADHD and affect their professional and personal life. They may find it difficult to complete tasks, and their productivity may be diminished. They may also miss deadlines and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.

Lack of organization can also cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose belongings like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved because of this. Friends and family may confuse them. The attention deficit disorder in adult women (Socialbookmark says) is more prevalent during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.

Women often hide their ADHD symptoms in order to fit into societal norms or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. This could be a reason why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence where symptoms are more evident.

Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have poor performance at work or in school. This can have a negative impact on their career, grades, or reputation. This can also cause problems in their personal lives. For instance it can cause problems with their romantic partners or strain relationships with family members and friends.

Women with chronic disorganization could get help one-on-one from a nonjudgmental support person. They can teach them strategies to get and stay organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional could also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can increase side effects of stimulant medications.

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 is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret ambiguous circumstances as threatening. It is also believed to be linked with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.

In the qualitative study on adult adhd symptoms women women with adhd interviewed they said they were not in a position to make decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often waited for other people to make decisions or were unable to complete projects themselves, such as arranging childcare. They often felt they were restricted by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsivity.

They had a difficult time keeping relationships and had trouble relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They reported having high levels of stress and anxiety, sleeping less, and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-esteem since it meant they were not blamed for their condition. They also had access to the appropriate treatment.

The interviews showed that the women had many positive qualities but were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. These included a lack career or romantic opportunities and difficulties inattentive add in women maintaining relationships. a messy home.

5. Insecurity about oneself

Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe these symptoms are less acceptable than for men and boys. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues that contribute to depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.

A high self-esteem is a precursor to healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, like careers, relationships as well as money and power. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication within the relationship, which could eventually end it.

Women with ADHD may also feel they do not deserve good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can lead to toxic work cultures as well as a negative self-image and an addiction of food or substances.

Despite these major difficulties, women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as either an advantage or a disadvantage according to the way they perceive their ability to manage it. Many of them also recognize personal strengths that they believe are due to their inattentive adhd in adult women which include the ability to be creative, high energy determination, and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. They also describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.