Five Things You Don't Know About ADHD Traits In Women

ADHD Traits in Women Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. Many people do not easily fit into an unisexual sex. However, sex and gender can influence how symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated. ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of early childhood, typically before age 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be able to receive a diagnosis. 1. Difficulty Focusing Inattention is at the core of ADHD and can affect both men and women. Women may have more difficulty to achieve the focus they require, especially because symptoms often manifest differently in men. Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and indecisive, for example. They're also more likely to be emotionally triggered and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on work, resulting in a lack of productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medications. In addition to these innate differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a larger hippocampus, which aids in learning and memory, and hormone changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can affect their brain function. Women with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school, and at work. They may also be struggling with a myriad of comorbid disorders, including anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder. For these reasons, it is essential for health professionals to be aware of the numerous clues that females with ADHD often show. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that can influence symptom severity. In this way, these patients can finally get the treatment they require. 2. Impulsivity Females with ADHD are more likely to have trouble managing their emotions, particularly when interacting with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. These include low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money. attention deficit disorder in women of women can influence how women who suffer from ADHD will be treated. They may be misunderstood because they are thought to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD. People with ADHD have impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate statement in public. Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medications that help them manage their impulses. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce the impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medications such as Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective as well. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will help those suffering from ADHD modify their thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stress. Sleeping enough, eating a healthy diet, and practicing meditation can also help in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day, and to share the information with their doctor to determine whether their treatment is working. 3. Disorganization Disorganization is a frequent issue for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their personal and professional life. It may take them longer to complete tasks, and reduce their efficiency. They could also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day. A lack of organization can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel isolated and lonely. Friends and family may be confused about their feelings. The disorder is more prevalent during perimenopause or menopause when hormones are changing and symptoms become more severe. Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It could also be the reason women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident. Women with untreated ADHD may not perform as well at school or at work. This can have a negative impact on their job, grades or even their reputation. It can also create problems in their personal lives. For instance it can cause issues with romantic partners or strain relationships with family members and friends. Women who are chronically unorganized could benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental friend. They can help women learn to stay organized by making lists and setting reminders. A qualified mental health professional may also recommend medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can trigger side effects of stimulant medication. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many 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 linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people perceive ambiguous situations as threatening. It is also believed to be linked with the fear of being wrong, which could be the reason why it is common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions. In the study of qualitative research on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed, they described not being able to make decisions about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They frequently had to wait for others to make decisions or were unable complete tasks on their own, like organizing childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms such as the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects were preventing them from progressing. They had trouble in establishing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health issues. adhd in women signs reported having high levels of anxiety and stress and a lack of sleep and a poor diet. They also described feeling stigmatized by their peers and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to treatment strategies that were appropriate. The interviews revealed that the women had a lot of positive qualities however, they were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their life. The women reported a lack in career or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house. 5. Lack of Self-Esteem Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are viewed as less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for boys and men and so women may hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorder. Women who suffer from ADHD may internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to low self-esteem, which could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders. Being able to identify your inner worth is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things – like relationships, careers, wealth, and power to feel a sense of worthiness. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can also result in the lack of communication in the relationship. Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women who have 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 to please or to “keep up” with other people. This can lead to a toxic work culture as well as a negative image of one's body, and an addiction to food or other substances. Despite these difficulties However, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either a blessing or a curse according to the way they perceive their ability to manage it. Several of them also identify personal strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD, including the ability to be creative, high energy, determination and the ability to be easily interested in new topics. They also discuss their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.