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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 belong to a sex binary. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed. ADHD is a condition that is recognized in the early years of early childhood, typically before age 12. The symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to be eligible for the diagnosis. 1. Trouble focusing Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and affects both women and men. Women may have a tougher time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than males. treatment for adhd in women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, as an example. They also are more likely to be emotionally triggered and have trouble putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability of concentration, which can lead to a lack productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss appointments with doctors. The hormones of women as well as these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, and hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain function. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They could also struggle with a variety of co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression eating disorders, bipolar disorder. In these circumstances, it is essential for health professionals to recognize the many indicators that females suffering from ADHD frequently exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they need. 2. Impulsivity Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially true when they are interacting with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life results. These include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships and a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money. The gender stereotypes of women can influence how women with ADHD will be treated. Because they are often perceived as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they can be viewed as overly emotional. This can increase their frustration in being a victim of untreated ADHD. The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex, is affected in people with ADHD. This means they have a harder time making decisions and executing their intentions. This can make you want to take a bite more cake or to make a rude comment. For people who suffer from ADHD, medication can help to increase their ability to control their behavior. 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. Behavioral therapy may also be recommended, which can help those suffering from ADHD modify their thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stress. Sleeping enough, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can also help to control impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It's also a great idea to track their symptoms throughout the day, and share this information with their physician in order to assess whether their treatment is working. 3. Disorganization Disorganization is a common problem in people with ADHD and can impact their personal and professional life. They may have difficulty to complete tasks and their productivity could be diminished. They could also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed throughout the day. A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may miss important dates or misplace items like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel isolated and lonely. Friends and family may be confused about their feelings. It is more difficult to organize in menopausal or perimenopausal women as hormones alter and symptoms become more severe. It is not unusual for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to conform with societal norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. This could be the reason girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence when symptoms are more obvious. As a result women suffering from untreated ADHD might have poor academic or work performance. This could affect their job, grades or even their reputation. It can also create problems for their personal lives. For instance it could lead to difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends. Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from one-on-one help from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can provide strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making lists of daily tasks and making reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can recommend medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can increase the negative effects of stimulant medications. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness is a characteristic that can affect decision-making in many areas of life. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to use worst-case scenario thinking, in which people perceive ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be linked to a fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have trouble making decisions. In the study that was qualitative of women who have adhd in their adult lives, interviewees described being unable to make decisions in their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They often were dependent on others to make decisions for them, or were unable complete projects such as arranging childcare. They often felt that they were being restricted by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive. They had a difficult time finding time to relax and keeping friendships alive which resulted in mental health problems. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, a lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by adults and the media. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them boost their self-esteem as they weren't blaming themselves. They also had access to appropriate treatments. The interviews revealed that women had many positive qualities however, they struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. This included a lack of possibilities for romance or work as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home. 5. Insecurity about oneself Certain of the symptoms that are a part of ADHD are considered to be less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for boys and men, so some women conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can lead to low self-esteem, which could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders. A high sense of inner worth is the basis for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things – including careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can lead to a lack in communication within the relationship. Women with ADHD may also feel that they are not worthy of good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or to “keep up” with others. This can result in toxic workplace cultures, a negative self-image, and a dependence on substance or food. While these are serious issues but the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally describe their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they believe they can control it. Some have identified personal strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination and the ability to easily get interested in new subjects. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues as in addition to gender and biological differences.