ADHD Traits in Women<br /><br />Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people don't fit into a sex binary. However, gender and sex can affect how symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.<br /><br />ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of the early years of childhood, typically before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple environments to be eligible for a diagnosis.<br /><br />1. Problems with Focusing<br /><br />Inattention is at the core of ADHD and affects both women and men. But women may find it more challenging to get the focus they require, especially because symptoms often appear in different ways than for men.<br /><br />Women are more likely to experience disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They're also more likely to become emotional and have trouble putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely to skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medications.<br /><br />The hormones that women experience as well as these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is larger, which aids in learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.<br /><br />Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school, and at work. They may also have multiple comorbid disorders including depression, anxiety and eating disorders.<br /><br />This is why it's critical for health professionals to be aware of the various clues that females with ADHD often exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. In this way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they require.<br /><br /><br /><br />2. Impulsivity<br /><br />Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they interact with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation, which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life results. These include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.<br /><br />Gender stereotypes can also affect how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are typically perceived as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be viewed as being emotionally prone. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about being a victim of untreated ADHD.<br /><br />The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and following up with their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the temptation to eat a second piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public.<br /><br />For people who suffer from ADHD medications can help to increase their ability to control their behavior. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help reduce impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medicines like clonidine and guanfacine can be effective as well. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will aid people suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and develop better ways to cope with stress.<br /><br />Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough sleep can all help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It's important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and communicate this data with their doctor to determine if their treatment regimen is effective.<br /><br />3. Disorganization<br /><br />Disorganization is a common issue for people with ADHD and affect their professional and personal life. It may take longer to complete their tasks and decrease their efficiency. They may also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day.<br /><br />An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may miss important dates or misplace items like keys or purses. In the end, they might feel lonely and alone. They may also feel that they are not understood by their family and friends. It is more difficult to organize during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones shift and symptoms increase.<br /><br />Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to fit into societal norms or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. <a href="https://borg-gold-2.blogbright.net/20-trailblazers-setting-the-standard-in-adult-adhd-symptoms-women">attention deficit disorder in women</a> can also be the reason girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence when symptoms are more obvious.<br /><br />Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may not perform as well at work or in school. This can negatively impact their job, grades or their image. It can also create problems in their personal life including issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with family and friends members.<br /><br />Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from one-on-one help from a nonjudgmental support person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating an agenda and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional can also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can cause adverse effects of stimulant medication.<br /><br />4. Indecisiveness<br /><br />Indecisiveness is a trait that can affect decision-making in a variety of areas of life. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people perceive ambiguous situations as being threat. It has also been proven to be correlated with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it's common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions.<br /><br />In the study that was qualitative of women who have adhd in their adult lives, interviewees reported being not able to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding the job they wanted or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often had to wait for others to make decisions for them, or were unable complete projects such as arranging childcare. They often felt they were restricted by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.<br /><br />They had a difficult time finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive, which led to mental health problems. They reported high levels of anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by other adults and by the media. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming others. It also provided them with access to appropriate treatments.<br /><br />The interviews revealed that women had many positive qualities but struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their life. The women reported the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house.<br /><br />5. Self-esteem issues<br /><br />Certain of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are seen as less acceptable socially for women and girls than they are for boys and men Some women choose to conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. They also may be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can cause feelings of self-esteem loss that contribute to anxiety, depression or eating disorders.<br /><br />A high sense of inner worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves to find validation, including careers, relationships money, power, and relationships. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication within relationships, which could ultimately end it.<br /><br />Women with ADHD may also feel that they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can result in toxic workplace cultures and a negative self-image and an addiction to substances or food.<br /><br />While these are serious issues however, the women who took part in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them say that they view their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they believe they can control it. Some have identified strengths they believe are partially due to their ADHD. They have the ability to be creative, energetic and determination and the ability to quickly become fascinated by new subjects. They also describe their individual struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well cultural and family issues.<br /><br />