Who's 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 dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people do not fit neatly into an unisexual sex. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated. ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause problems in more than one environment to be eligible for a diagnosis. 1. Trouble focusing Inattention is at the core of ADHD and affects both genders. Women may have more difficulty to get the focus they need, especially because symptoms often appear in different ways than for men. Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness for instance. They're also more likely to become emotional and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with doctors. In addition to these natural differences, women's hormones can make ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, and hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain function. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They could also struggle with a variety of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder. It is crucial that health professionals are aware of the many clues females with ADHD display. They need to rethink their methods to diagnose and treat females with ADHD to account for 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 the case when they are interacting with others. This can lead emotional dysregulation which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It is also linked to negative life outcomes. These include low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, problems with friends and a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money. The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women with ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently viewed as more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be misinterpreted or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can exacerbate their frustrations about living with untreated ADHD. The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This could make you want to eat more cake or make a rude comment. Adults with 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 may reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. People suffering from ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps them alter their thinking patterns and develop more effective coping techniques. Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control restlessness and impulsiveness in people suffering from ADHD. It is also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share this data with their doctor to determine if the treatment regimen is working. 3. Disorganization Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with ADHD and can impact their work and personal lives. It can take them longer to complete their tasks and reduce their productivity. They could also fail to meet deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis. A lack of organization can cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. inattentive adhd in women may miss important dates or misplace things like purses or keys. They might feel lonely and unloved due to this. They may also feel unloved by family members and friends. Disorganization can be worse during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles, when hormones change and symptoms intensify. It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to fit in with society's norms and avoid being judged. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It could also be a reason why girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence where symptoms become more apparent. As a result, women with untreated ADHD might have poor work or school performance. This can impact their work, grades or overall reputation. It can also create problems for their personal lives. For example it can cause issues with relationships with their partners or breakups with family and friends. Women who are chronically unorganized can benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can teach women how to stay organized by making an agenda and establishing reminders. A licensed mental health professional can recommend medication or lifestyle changes that can help minimize ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can cause an increase in the side effects of stimulant medication. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness is one of the traits that influences decision-making in many areas of our lives. Several instruments have been developed 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 apply worst case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also found to be associated with the fear of making a mistake, which could help explain why people with adhd have difficulty making decisions. In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd that were interviewed the participants said they were not able to make decisions about their professional and personal lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships, and had difficulty finding a job that they liked. They often were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable complete tasks on their own, like scheduling childcare. They often felt that they were being restricted by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive. They struggled to keep friendships and had difficulty relaxing, leading to problems with their mental health. They described stress and anxiety, as well as a lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by adults and the media. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming others. Additionally, it gave them access to treatment strategies that were appropriate. The interviews revealed that the women had many positive qualities however, they were struggling to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their lives. The women reported an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house. 5. Lack of self-esteem Some of the symptoms that are a part of ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for men and boys, so some women conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can cause lower self-esteem and could cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders. A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things – like careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships – to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also lead to an absence of communication within relationships. Women with ADHD may also feel they do not deserve good things in life. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or to “keep up” with other people. This can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and an addiction to substance or food. While these are serious issues but the women who participated in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them identify their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can control it. A few of them also point out personal strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD which include the ability to be creative, high energy determination and the ability to be easily interested in new subjects. They also discuss their unique struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes biological and gender distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.