ADHD Traits in Women

Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people do not fall into a binary of sex. Genre and gender can influence the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.

ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms 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 affects both women and men. Women may have a tougher to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can manifest differently than men.

Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely to become emotional and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability of concentration, which can lead to an inability to perform at home or work. They're also more likely to skip doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications.

The hormones that women experience, in addition to these innate differences can exacerbate adhd symptoms in women adults symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which aids in memory and learning, and hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's function.

In the end, women with undiagnosed ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They could also struggle with a variety of comorbid conditions, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar attention deficit disorder in women.

It is crucial that health professionals are aware of the many clues females with adhd test adult women display. They must recalibrate their approaches for diagnosing and treating females with adhd in older women in order to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. Patients can then receive the treatment they need.

2. Impulsivity

Females suffering from ADHD are often unable to controlling their emotions, especially when interacting with others. This can cause to emotional dysregulation that is a component of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. These include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.

Gender stereotypes can also influence how women who suffer from ADHD will be treated. Bain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose belongings like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved due to this. Family and friends may also confuse their feelings. The disorder is more prevalent during perimenopause or menopause when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.

It is not unusual for women to hide their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with society's norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It can also be a reason for why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence when symptoms become more apparent.

As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This can impact their job, grades, or their overall image. It can also cause problems in their personal life, such as difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with friends and family members.

Women with chronic disorganization could receive one-on-one assistance from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach them strategies to keep their lives organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and making reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional could recommend medication or lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can increase the side effects of stimulant medication.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of life. Indecisiveness is measured by 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, in which people interpret uncertain situations as threatening. It is also believed to be linked with a fear of being wrong, which could help explain why it's common for people with adhd to have difficulty making decisions.

In the qualitative study on adult women with adhd interviewed, they described not being able to make decisions about their personal and professional lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They often had to wait for others to decide or were unable to complete projects themselves, such as arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects was preventing them from completing.

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

The interviews revealed that the women were extremely positive and able to overcome the effects of adhd symptoms for women on various aspects of their lives. These included a lack romantic or career opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and a messy home.

5. Self-esteem issues

Women might conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe these behaviors aren't as acceptable than for boys and men. Women who suffer from ADHD might be able to internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues that can cause depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.

A sense of inner worth is the basis for better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - like careers, relationships as well as wealth and power to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also result in the lack of communication in the relationship.

In addition to a sense of self-worth, women with ADHD often struggle with the feeling that they don't deserve the good things in their lives. 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 a dependence on substance or food.

While these are serious issues, the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally identify their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they feel they can manage it. Several of them also identify personal strengths they believe are due to their ADHD such as high energy, creativity determination, and the ability to become easily interested in new subjects. They also talk about their own struggles within the context of the larger picture, which includes gender and biological differences, as well as cultural and family issues.