10 Life Lessons We Can Take From ADHD Traits In Women

ADHD Traits in Women

Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people do not fit into a sex binary. However, gender and sex influence how symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.

ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be able to receive the diagnosis.

1. Problems with Focusing

Inattention is the core of ADHD and is an issue for everyone. Women may have a tougher time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than in males.

Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They are also more likely to be emotionally triggered and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to a lack of productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medications.

In addition to these inherent gender differences, hormones of women can make ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a bigger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, as well as hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain function.

As a result, women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They may also be struggling with a myriad of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.

It is important that health care professionals recognize the numerous signs of adhd in adult women that females with ADHD exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. In this way, these patients will receive the treatment they require.

2. Impulsivity

Females with ADHD tend to have difficulty managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with others. This can result in to emotional dysregulation, which is a major cause of adhd diagnosis in adult women symptoms. It can also be linked to negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, anxiety and depression and a strained relationship with a partner, which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with friendships, a messy house or personal space, an inability manage time or money and a messy home.

Gender stereotypes can also affect how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are thought to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated at living with untreated ADHD.

The impulse control portion of the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and sticking in their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public.

For adults with ADHD, medication can help to increase their ability to control their behavior. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine are able to reduce impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy may also be advised, which will help people with ADHD alter their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.

Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all help to control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It's also a good idea to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician to assess whether their treatment plan is working.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization can be a major issue for those suffering from ADHD and impact their work and personal lives. It can take them longer to complete tasks, and reduce their productivity. They could also be late and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.

Lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose items like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and alone. Friends and family may confuse their feelings. The disorder is more prevalent in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.

Women often mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could be a reason for why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly evident in adolescence when symptoms become more obvious.

As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD might have poor work or school performance. This can have a negative impact on their work, grades, or their image. 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 can get help one-on-one from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach them strategies to stay organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can worsen the adverse effects of stimulant medication.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of our lives. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also correlated with neuroticism and the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, where people interpret uncertain situations as threatening. It is also believed to be associated with a fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to have difficulty making decisions.

In the qualitative study of adult women and attention deficit disorder suffering from adhd who were interviewed, they described not being able to make decisions about their professional and personal lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships and struggled to find an occupation they liked. They frequently waited for other people to decide or were unable to complete projects themselves, such as arranging childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like inattention and impulsivity or difficulty beginning projects was preventing them from completing.

They had trouble finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which resulted in mental health problems. They described anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also described feeling stigmatized by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles which was beneficial for self-esteem since it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. They also had access to the appropriate treatment strategies.

The interviews showed that the women had many positive qualities however, they were struggling to overcome the effects of their Mild Adhd In Women symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships, and a messy house.

5. Insecurity about oneself

Women might hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they feel that these behaviors aren't as acceptable for men and boys. They may also internalize their undiagnosed adhd in adult women symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to lower self-esteem and could cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders.

A high sense of inner worth is the foundation for better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves to find validation, including jobs, relationships, money, and power. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication within the relationship, which could eventually end it.

Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women with ADHD frequently struggle with the feeling that they don't have enough of the good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment, a negative body image and a dependence on foods or substances.

Despite these issues, women who took part in this study found many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They generally describe their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can manage it. Some have identified personal strengths they believe are partially due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to effortlessly become fascinated by new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as well as biological and gender differences.