15 Things You've Never Known About ADHD Traits In Women

ADHD Traits in Women Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people do not fall into a binary of sex. However, sex and gender influence the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated. ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be eligible for a diagnosis. 1. Difficulty Focusing Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both men and women. Women may have a harder to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can appear differently than in males. Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or at home. They're also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medications. Women's hormones along with these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus, which helps with memory and learning, and hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain's function. This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in their relationships as well as at work. They may also have various comorbidities like depression, anxiety and eating disorders. In these circumstances, it is crucial for health professionals to recognize the many clues that females with ADHD frequently exhibit. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. The patients will then receive the treatment they need. 2. Impulsivity Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with other people. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friends and a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money. Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are perceived as more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated over being diagnosed with ADHD. The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and following through with their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or to make an inappropriate statement in public. For adults with ADHD, medication can help to enhance their ability to control their behavior. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce the impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medications such as the guanfacine and clonidine are effective too. Behavioral therapy may also be advised, which will help people with ADHD modify their thinking patterns and develop better ways to cope with stress. Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help to control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day and share the information with their doctor in order to assess whether or not their treatment is working. 3. Disorganization Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their work and personal lives. It can take them longer to complete tasks and decrease their efficiency. They may also fail to meet deadlines and become overwhelmed on a daily basis. Inability to organize can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. They might miss important dates or misplace items like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel isolated and lonely. They can also feel misunderstood by family members and friends. Disorganization is more common during perimenopause or menopause when hormones are changing and symptoms increase. Women often hide their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It can also be a reason for why girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence when symptoms are more evident. Women who are not treated for ADHD might have a poor performance at school or at work. This can impact their work, grades or overall standing. It could also cause issues in their personal life like issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with family and friends members. Women with chronic disorganization could benefit from one-on-one help by a non-judgmental therapist. They can teach women how to stay organized by creating an agenda and setting reminders. A qualified mental health professional can recommend medication or lifestyle changes that will reduce ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine, which can increase side effects of stimulant medications. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of life. A variety of instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness has also been associated with neuroticism and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. adult add women is when people interpret ambiguous circumstances as being dangerous. It has also been found to be correlated with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty making decisions. In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd participants, they reported being incapable of making decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships, and had difficulty finding a job that they liked. They often waited for others to take decisions, or were unable to complete tasks such as scheduling childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or getting started on projects were preventing them from progressing. They had trouble relaxing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health issues. They reported high levels of anxiety and stress and sleeping less and a poor diet. They also reported feeling snubbed by their peers and the media. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming others. They also had access to the appropriate treatment strategies. The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic and able to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. These included a lack of possibilities for romance or work and difficulties in maintaining relationships. an unclean home. 5. Insecurity about oneself Women may cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable than for men and boys. Some women may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can cause low self-esteem, which could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders. A high self-esteem is a prerequisite for better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things – including relationships, careers, wealth, and power – to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can lead to a lack in communication within relationships. Women suffering from ADHD might also feel they do not deserve good things in life. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire to “keep up with” or to please. This can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and an addiction to food or substances. While these are major challenges however, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them identify their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they feel they can manage it. Some have identified their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD. These include the ability to be creative, energetic and determination and the ability to easily get fascinated by new subjects. They also discuss their unique struggles as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.