The Unspoken Secrets 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 fall into a binary of sex. Genre and gender can influence how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.

ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be eligible for a diagnosis.

1. Problems with Focusing

Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. Women may have a harder time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than in males.

Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. 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 focus on work, resulting in a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss doctor's appointments.

The hormones of women, in addition to 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 as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal cycles can influence brain function.

Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school and at work. They may also have various comorbidities including anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

It is essential that health professionals understand the many clues females with ADHD show. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they need.

2. Impulsivity

Females with ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can lead emotional dysregulation which is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative outcomes in life. These include low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones which can lead to intimate partner violence, problems with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.

Gender stereotypes can affect how women who suffer from ADHD will be treated. Because they are often viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they could be misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can cause them to feel more frustrated over being a victim of untreated ADHD.

inattentive adhd in women  of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and following through with their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the temptation to eat a second piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate statement in public.

For adults with ADHD medication can assist to increase their ability to control their impulsivity. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy may also be recommended, which can aid people suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and develop better ways to cope with stress.

Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can help control restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track 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 can be a major issue for people with ADHD and affect their work and personal lives. It can take longer to complete tasks, and reduce their efficiency. They might also be late or overwhelmed every day.

A lack of organization can cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose things like purses or keys. Consequently, they may feel isolated and lonely. They can also feel misunderstood by family and friends. Disorganization can be worse during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles, when hormones change and symptoms increase.

It is not unusual for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to fit in with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It could be a reason why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.

As a result, women with untreated ADHD might have poor work or school performance. This can have a negative impact on their job, grades or their image. This can also cause problems in their personal lives. For example it can cause issues with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends.

Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can teach women how to stay organized by making an agenda and establishing reminders. A licensed mental health professional may also suggest medication and lifestyle changes to aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause an increase in the side effects of stimulant medications.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of life. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism, and the tendency to apply worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It has also been proven to be correlated with a fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to have trouble making decisions.

In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd interviewed the participants said they were not capable of making decisions about their professional and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding the job they wanted or to stay in, and found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often had to wait for others to make decisions, or were unable to finish projects such as arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like the inability to focus and impulsivity, or getting started on projects were holding them back.

They had a difficult time keeping friendships and had difficulty relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They described high levels of anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by adults and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD, which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming others. It also gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.

The interviews revealed that the women were very optimistic, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships and a messy home.

5. Lack of self-esteem

Some of the symptoms that are a part of ADHD are considered to be less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for males and females and so women may conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. Women who suffer from ADHD may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in feelings of low self-esteem which can lead to depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.

Having high inner worth is a key factor in healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who lack self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves for validation, like relationships, careers money, power, and relationships. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also result in a lack in communication within the relationship.

Women suffering from ADHD might also feel 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 negative work environments, a negative body image, and an addiction to foods or substances.

Despite  adhd symptoms women  challenges the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them describe their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they feel they can control it. Several of them also identify their own strengths that they believe are a result of to their ADHD such as high energy, creativity determination, and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.