ADHD Traits in Women<br /><br />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 don't fit into a sex binary. However, gender and sex influence the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.<br /><br />ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be able to receive a diagnosis.<br /><br />1. Problems with Focusing<br /><br />Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have more difficulty to get the focus they need particularly since symptoms typically manifest differently in men.<br /><br />Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or at home. They're also more likely not attend doctor appointments or forget to take their medication.<br /><br />In addition to these inherent variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is larger, which aids in learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain function.<br /><br />In the end, women with undiagnosed ADHD can have major struggles in relationships, at school as well as at work. They may also be struggling with a host of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.<br /><br />It is important that health care professionals recognize the many signs females suffering from ADHD display. They must recalibrate their approaches for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD to recognize emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they need.<br /><br />2. Impulsivity<br /><br />Females with ADHD are more likely to have trouble controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life results. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble with friends, a messy house or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money.<br /><br />Gender stereotypes can affect how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are perceived as more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.<br /><br />Individuals with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and executing their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the temptation to eat another piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate statement in public.<br /><br />Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help them manage their tendency to be impulsive. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. People with ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them change their mental patterns and develop better methods of coping.<br /><br />Sleeping enough, eating a healthy diet, and practicing meditation can also help in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician to determine whether or not their treatment is working.<br /><br />3. Disorganization<br /><br />Disorganization can be a major issue for people suffering from ADHD and can affect their work and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete tasks and their efficiency may be diminished. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed each day.<br /><br />A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might not remember important dates or even lose items like keys or purses. This can cause them to feel lonely and isolated. Friends and family may be confused about their feelings. It is more difficult to organize during perimenopause and menopause, when hormones change and symptoms increase.<br /><br />It is not unusual for women to hide their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with the norms of society and avoid being considered a failure. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It can also be a reason why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence when symptoms are more obvious.<br /><br />In the end, women with untreated ADHD may have trouble with their work or school performance. This could negatively impact their career, grades, or their image. It can also cause problems in their personal life including issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with friends and family members.<br /><br /><a href="https://moparwiki.win/wiki/Post:Inattentive_Add_In_Women_11_Things_Youre_Forgetting_To_Do">signs of add in adult women</a> who are chronically unorganized could benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can teach women how to stay organized by making lists and establishing reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional may recommend medications and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. <a href="https://perfectworld.wiki/wiki/You_Are_Responsible_For_The_Add_In_Adult_Women_Budget_12_Top_Notch_Ways_To_Spend_Your_Money">adhd symptoms in women test</a> can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can cause an increase in the negative effects of stimulant medications.<br /><br />4. Indecisiveness<br /><br />Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of daily life. 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 is also linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is because people perceive ambiguous situations as threat. It has also been found to be correlated with a fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.<br /><br />In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd that were interviewed the participants said they were not able to make decisions regarding their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often were dependent on others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects such as arranging childcare. They often felt that they were being held back by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsivity.<br /><br />They had trouble finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which led to mental health problems. They reported having high levels of anxiety and stress and a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by adults and the media. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them increase their self-esteem since they were not blaming themselves. They also had access to the appropriate treatment strategies.<br /><br />The interviews revealed that women were extremely positive however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. These included a lack possibilities for romance or work, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.<br /><br /><br /><br />5. Lack of self-esteem<br /><br />Women might hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe these symptoms are less acceptable for boys and men. They also may take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss which can lead to anxiety, depression or eating disorders.<br /><br />A high sense of inner worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - like relationships, careers, wealth, and power to feel worthy. <a href="https://informatic.wiki/wiki/5_Lessons_You_Can_Learn_From_High_Functioning_ADHD_In_Women">adhd symptoms in women test</a> , a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also lead to the lack of communication in relationships.<br /><br />Women with ADHD might also feel they don't deserve the best things in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire to "keep up" or to please. This can result in a toxic work culture as well as a negative image of one's body, and an addiction to food or substances.<br /><br />Although these are significant challenges but the women who participated in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. Most of them identify their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can control it. Some of them have also identified personal strengths they believe are partially due to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination and the ability to effortlessly become interested in new topics. They also talk about their unique struggles in the context of a larger picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well as cultural and family issues.<br /><br />