Who Is The World's Top Expert On ADHD Traits In Women? ADHD Traits in Women

Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. A lot of people do not fall into the binary sexuality. However, sex and gender can influence how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.

ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of childhood, usually before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in more than one setting to be eligible for a diagnosis.

1. Problems with Focusing

Inattention is at the heart of ADHD, and it's an issue for everyone. But women may find it more challenging to achieve the focus they need particularly since symptoms typically appear in different ways than in men.

Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability of concentration and can result in a lack productivity at work or at home. More inspiring ideas to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medications.

The hormones of women along with these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. The female hippocampus is larger which helps in learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopausal changes can also affect brain function.

Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also suffer from a variety of comorbid disorders like anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

This is why it's critical for health care professionals to be aware of the various indications that females with ADHD often exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnose and treat females with ADHD to recognize emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. The patients will then receive the treatment they require.

2. Impulsivity


Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with others. This can cause to emotional dysregulation that is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It can also be associated with negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem anxiety and depression, problematic romantic relationships which can lead to violence between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability manage time or money, and a messy house.

Gender stereotypes can also affect the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are viewed as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated over 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 have a difficult time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This can make you want to indulge in more cake or make a snide comment.

Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medication that helps them control their tendency to be impulsive. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medicines like the guanfacine and clonidine are efficient too. Behavioral therapy may also be suggested, which can help those suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.

Sleeping enough, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can also help in reducing impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It is important to track their symptoms throughout the day and communicate this information with their physician so they can assess whether their treatment plan is effective.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization is a common problem for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their personal and professional life. They may have trouble to complete tasks, and their productivity may be diminished. They may also be late and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis.

Lack of organization can also make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. People may miss important dates or misplace items like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated as a result. They may also feel unloved by their family and friends. Disorders are more common during perimenopause or menopause when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.

It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to conform with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It may be a reason why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially evident in adolescence when symptoms are more evident.

Women who are not treated for ADHD might have a poor performance at work or in school. This could have a negative impact on their job, grades or reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal lives, such as difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with friends and family members.

Women with chronic disorganization could get help one-on-one from a nonjudgmental support person. They can help them learn strategies to get and stay organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and creating reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can suggest medications and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine that can increase side effects of stimulant medications.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness is a characteristic that can affect decision-making across a wide range of aspects of life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and with the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret uncertain situations as dangerous. It is also believed to be correlated with the fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people with adhd to have trouble making decisions.

In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed the participants said they were not capable of making decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They often had to wait for others to make decisions for them, or were unable to complete tasks like organizing childcare. They often felt like they were restricted by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsivity.

They had a difficult time keeping friendships and were unable to relax, leading to problems with their mental health. They reported high levels of anxiety and stress, an inability to sleep and a poor diet. They also described feeling stigmatized by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles, which was helpful for self-image because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.

The interviews revealed that the women had many positive qualities however, they were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their life. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house.

5. Insecurity about oneself

Some of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for males and females, so some women are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. Women who suffer from ADHD might take on the characteristics of ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can cause lower self-esteem and could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.

Being additional hints to identify your inner worth is a prerequisite for healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth, they tend to seek external things - such as relationships, careers, wealth, and power - to feel worthy. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause a lack of communication in the relationship, which could ultimately end it.

Women with ADHD may also feel they are not worthy of good things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with other people. This can cause toxic workplaces as well as a negative self-image and an addiction to food or substances.

Despite these 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 blessing or a curse, based on whether they feel they can manage it. Some of them have also identified personal strengths they believe are partially due to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to effortlessly become interested in new topics. 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.