ADHD Traits in Women

Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people do not fall into a binary of sex. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.

ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause difficulties in multiple settings to be able to receive a diagnosis.

1. Problems with Focusing

Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have a harder to concentrate, particularly because symptoms may manifest differently than they do in men.

Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability to concentrate, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or home. They're also more likely miss doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications.

The hormones of women as well as these innate differences can exacerbate adhd in middle aged women symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, as well as hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain's functioning.

Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school and at work. They could also be suffering from various comorbidities, such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

For these reasons, it's critical for health professionals to recognize the many indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that can influence symptom severity. Patients can then receive the treatment they require.

2. Impulsivity

Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they interact with other people. This can result in to emotional dysregulation, which is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It can also be linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friends and a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.

Gender stereotypes can affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are thought to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can lead to their frustration in living with untreated adhd is different for women.

People with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have more trouble making decisions and following through in their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate statement in public.

Adults with adhd and depression in women can benefit from medications that help them control their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to decrease the impulsive behavior and non-stimulant drugs like the guanfacine and clonidine are efficient too. Behavioral therapy may also be recommended, which can help people with ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.

Sleeping enough, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can help for women with adhd control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a great idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share this information with their physician to determine whether the treatment is working.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization can be a major issue for people suffering from ADHD and affect their personal and professional lives. They may find it difficult to complete tasks and their efficiency may be reduced. They could also miss deadlines and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.

A lack of organization can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and unloved as a result. Friends and family members may confuse their feelings. The disorder can become more severe during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones shift and symptoms increase.

It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. This could be a reason for why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more obvious.

As a result, women with untreated ADHD may have trouble with their work or school performance. This can negatively impact their job, grades or their image. It can also create problems for their personal life. For example, it may lead to issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.

Women with chronic disorganization can receive one-on-one assistance from a nonjudgmental support person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating an agenda and establishing reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can recommend medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause adverse effects of stimulant medications.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of daily life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and with the tendency to apply worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret ambiguous situations as dangerous. It was also found to be linked to the fear of making a mistake which could help explain why people with adhd have trouble making decisions.

In the study that was qualitative of adult women suffering from adhd, interviewees reported being not able to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships and had difficulty finding jobs they enjoyed. They often had to wait for others to make decisions, or were unable complete projects like arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms such as inattention and impulsivity or difficulty getting started on projects was preventing them from completing.

They had trouble in establishing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health problems. They described high levels of stress and anxiety, a sleeping insufficiently and having poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial for self-image because it meant they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatments.

The interviews revealed that the women were extremely positive, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.

5. Self-esteem issues

Some of the signs that are a part of ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for males and females Some women choose to hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD may take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss that contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.

Being able to identify your inner worth is a precursor to better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, like jobs, relationships, money, and power. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause a lack of communication in relationships, which could ultimately end it.

Women suffering from ADHD might also feel they do not deserve good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can result in an unhealthy work environment as well as a negative image of one's body, and an addiction to food or other substances.

While these are major challenges however, the women who took part in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as a blessing or a curse according to the way they perceive their ability to control it. A few of them also point out personal strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD, including the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to become easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their individual struggles in the context of a larger picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well as cultural and family issues.