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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 don't belong to a sex binary. However, gender and sex influence the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.

ADHD is diagnosed in childhood, usually before age 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause difficulties in multiple settings to be eligible for a diagnosis.

1. Trouble focusing

Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD, and it's an issue for everyone. Women may have a harder focus, particularly since symptoms can appear differently than in males.

Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They're also more likely to become emotional and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with their doctor.

Women's hormones along with these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. The female hippocampus is larger, which aids in learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause may also affect 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, such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

It is essential that health care professionals recognize the many clues females with ADHD display. They must recalibrate their approaches for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD in order to account for emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. That way, these patients can finally get the treatment they require.

2. Impulsivity

Females with ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with others. This can result in to emotional dysregulation, which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It can also be associated with negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.

Gender stereotypes may also impact the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can increase their frustration about living with untreated ADHD.

The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they are more prone to making decisions and executing with their goals. This can make you want to take a bite more cake or to make a rude comment.

For adults with ADHD medication can assist to enhance their ability to manage their impulsivity. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will help people with ADHD modify their thinking patterns and learn healthier coping skills.

Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough rest can all be helpful in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in people suffering from ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and communicate this data with their doctor to determine if the treatment regimen is effective.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their work and personal lives. It may take longer to complete tasks and decrease their productivity. They could also miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.

An absence of organization could make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose belongings like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and isolated as a result. Family and friends may also be confused about them. The disorder is more prevalent in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.

Women often mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being considered a failure. This can result in 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, particularly during adolescence, when symptoms become more apparent.

In the end, women with untreated ADHD might experience poor academic or work performance. This can affect their work, grades or overall standing. It can also create problems for their personal lives. For example it could lead to difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.

Women who are chronically disorganized could benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. They can teach them strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making an agenda of the daily tasks and creating reminders for them. In adhd symptoms in adult women , a qualified mental health professional can recommend medications and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause an increase in the side effects of stimulant medications.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness is a trait that affects decision making in a variety of areas of our lives. A variety of instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness has also been linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people perceive ambiguous situations as being dangerous. It has also been proven to be linked with a fear of being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people with adhd to struggle with making decisions.

In the qualitative study on adult women with adhd that were interviewed they said they were not capable of making decisions about their professional and personal lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships and struggled to find jobs they enjoyed. They often were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable to finish projects on their own, for example, arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like inattention and impulsivity or difficulty getting started on projects was preventing them from completing.

They had a difficult time in establishing and maintaining friendships which led to mental health problems. They reported high levels of anxiety and stress as well as sleeping less and a poor diet. They also described feeling stigmatized by other adults and by the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD which helped them increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming others. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.

The interviews showed that the women had a lot of positive qualities, but they were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their lives. This included a lack of possibilities for romance or work and difficulties in maintaining relationships. a messy home.

5. Self-esteem issues

Some of the symptoms that make up ADHD are considered to be less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for boys and men and so women may hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disorganization. They also may be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can result in feelings of low self-esteem that contribute to anxiety, depression or eating disorders.

A high sense of inner worth is the basis for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who lack 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 result in an absence of communication in the relationship, which could eventually end it.


Women with ADHD might also feel they do not deserve good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment, a negative body image and a dependence on foods or substances.

Despite these major difficulties the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage according to the way they perceive their ability to manage it. adhd symptoms in adult women of them have also identified strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination and the ability to easily get fascinated by new subjects. They also discuss their own struggles within the context of an overall picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well cultural and family issues.

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