This Story Behind ADHD Traits In Women Can Haunt You Forever!

ADHD Traits in Women 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 do not fall into a binary of sex. Genre and gender can influence how ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated. ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to be able to receive an assessment. 1. Difficulty Focusing Inattention is the core of ADHD and it's an issue for everyone. However, women may have more difficulty to attain the focus they require, especially because symptoms often appear in different ways than in men. Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization, for example. They also are more likely to become emotional and have trouble putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely miss doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications. The hormones of women, in addition to these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps in memory and learning. Menstrual hormone fluctuations or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopausal cycles can affect brain function. This is why women with undiagnosed ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in relationships as well as at work. They might also struggle with a host of comorbid conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder. It is important that health professionals understand the many signs females suffering from ADHD show. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they require. 2. Impulsivity Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially the case when they interact with other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. These include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in 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 how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are often considered to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be viewed as overly emotional. This can increase their frustration about living with untreated ADHD. Individuals with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and following up with their intentions. This can make you want to indulge in more cake or make a snide comment. Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medications that help them manage their impulses. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Behavioral therapy can also be suggested, which can help those suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping skills. Meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can all help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and communicate the information with their doctor to assess whether the treatment regimen is effective. 3. Disorganization Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with ADHD and can impact their personal and professional life. They may find it difficult to complete tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They might also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day. Insanity can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved as a result. They can also feel misunderstood by their family and friends. Disorganization can be worse in menopausal or perimenopausal women as hormones alter and symptoms intensify. Women often hide their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. This could be a reason why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly evident in adolescence when symptoms are more evident. In the end women suffering from untreated ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This can affect their career, grades or overall standing. This could also cause issues for their personal lives. For instance it can cause difficulties with romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends. Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help from a nonjudgmental support person. They can help women learn to stay organized by making lists and establishing reminders. A licensed mental health professional can also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine which can cause adverse effects of stimulant medications. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness is a trait that can affect decision-making in many areas of our lives. Several instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, including 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 because people interpret uncertain situations as threatening. It has also been proven to be associated with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions. In add and adhd in women that was qualitative of adult women with adhd the participants described being incapable of making decisions in their work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding the job they wanted or stayed in, and found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They frequently had to wait for others to make decisions or were unable to complete projects on their own, for example, organizing childcare. Home felt they were being held back by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive. They had difficulty relaxing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health issues. They described high levels of anxiety and stress, lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by their peers and the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD, which helped them improve their self-esteem because they were not blaming themselves. They also had access to the appropriate treatment. The interviews revealed that women were very positive and able to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. These included a lack of romantic or career opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home. 5. Lack of Self-Esteem Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are considered to be less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for males and females and so women may are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD might be able to internalize their ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can cause low self-esteem, which could cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders. A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the foundation for better relationships and a positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth they tend to look for external things – such as relationships, careers, wealth, and power to feel worthy. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication within a relationship, which can ultimately end it. Women suffering from 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 others. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment and a negative image of the body and an addiction to foods or substances. Although these are significant challenges, the women who participated in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either positive or negative depending on the way they perceive their ability to manage it. Some have identified personal strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to quickly become fascinated by new subjects. They also describe their own struggles within the context of a larger picture that includes gender and biological differences, as well cultural and family issues.