Everything You Need To Be Aware Of ADHD Traits In Women

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 fit into a sex binary. However, sex and gender influence how symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.

ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be eligible for an assessment.

1. Difficulty Focusing

Inattention is at the heart of ADHD, and it's a problem for all genders. However, women may find it more challenging to achieve the attention they require due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest in different ways for men.

Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, as an example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to a lack of productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip doctor's appointments.

In addition to these innate gender differences, hormones of women can make ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, and hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain function.

Women with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They may also have a variety of comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

It is crucial that health professionals understand the many signs females suffering from ADHD show. They must recalibrate their approaches for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. That way, these patients will receive the treatment they require.

2. Impulsivity

Females suffering from ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, especially when interacting with others.  adhd in women treatment  can cause to emotional dysregulation that is a component of ADHD symptoms. It is also linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression, problematic romantic relationships, which can lead to violence between partners, problems with friendships, a messy home or personal space, an inability manage time or money and a messy home.

Gender stereotypes may also impact the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are typically perceived as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be misinterpreted or dismissed as overly emotional. This can cause them to feel more frustrated at being a victim of untreated ADHD.

Individuals with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and executing their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate statement in public.

Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medication that helps to control their impulsivity. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help reduce impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like Guanfacine and clonidine can be efficient too. Patients with ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them change their thinking patterns and develop healthier strategies for coping.

Meditation and eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all help to control restlessness and impulsiveness in people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day and then share this information with their physician in order to assess whether the treatment is working.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization can be a major issue for people suffering from ADHD and affect their professional and personal life. They may have trouble to complete their tasks, and their productivity may be diminished. They might also be late and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.

An absence of organization could cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose belongings like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated due to this. They may also feel unloved by family and friends.  high functioning adhd in women  can be worse during perimenopause and menopause when hormones shift and symptoms become more severe.

Women often mask their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It may be a reason why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious.

In the end women suffering from untreated ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This could negatively impact their job, grades or reputation. It can also create problems in their personal lives. For example, it may lead to problems with their relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.

Women who are constantly disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental friend. They can teach women how to stay organized by creating lists and establishing reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can recommend changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can trigger side effects of stimulant medications.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness is a trait that influences decision-making across a wide range of aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. 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 was also found to be linked to the fear of making a mistake which could be the reason people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.

In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd that were interviewed they said they were not able to make choices about their professional and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding a job they liked or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They often were dependent on others to decide or were unable to complete tasks on their own, like arranging childcare. They often felt like they were held back by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsive.

They had difficulty finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive, which led to mental health problems. They described stress and anxiety, a lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial for self-esteem because it meant they were not blamed for their condition. It also gave them access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.

The interviews revealed that the women had a lot of positive qualities but struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. This included a lack of possibilities for romance or work as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home.

5. Lack of self-esteem

Some of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for boys and men, so some women hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorder. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can result in lower self-esteem and could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.

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

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

While these are major challenges but the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either 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, including high energy, creativity determination and the ability to get easily interested in new topics. They also describe their individual struggles in the context of the larger picture, which includes biological and gender differences, as well as cultural and family issues.