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ADHD Traits in Women Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. Many people do not fit neatly into an unisexual sexuality. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated. ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause difficulties in more than one setting to be eligible for the diagnosis. 1. Problems with Focusing Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. But women might have a harder time to achieve the focus they require due to the fact that symptoms usually appear in different ways than in men. Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely to be emotionally triggered and have trouble putting things into perspective. These problems can lead to an inability of concentration which can lead to a lack productivity at home or work. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with doctors. In addition to these inherent variations, hormones in women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a bigger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, as well as hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can affect their brain function. This is why 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 have various comorbidities like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. This is why it's critical for health professionals to recognize the many indications that females with ADHD often show. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that influence the severity of symptoms. The patients will then receive the treatment they need. 2. Impulsivity Females who suffer from ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, particularly when they interact with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friends and a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money. Gender stereotypes can affect how women who suffer from ADHD will be treated. They could be misunderstood as they are viewed as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about being a victim of untreated ADHD. The impulse control portion of the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they have a harder time making decisions and following up with their intentions. This could make you want to take a bite more cake or to make an inappropriate comment. For those who suffer from ADHD medications can help to increase their ability to control their impulses. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce the impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medicines like Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective too. Patients with ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps to change their mental patterns and develop better strategies for coping. Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and share the information with their doctor so they can assess whether their treatment plan is working. 3. Disorganization Disorganization is a common issue for those suffering from ADHD and affect their work and personal lives. It could take longer to complete their tasks and decrease their efficiency. They could also miss deadlines and become overwhelmed on a daily basis. An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might not remember important dates or even lose things like purses or keys. They might feel lonely and isolated due to this. Family and friends may also confuse them. Disorganization is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones are changing and symptoms become more severe. It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to conform with society's norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. This could also be the reason women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly true in adolescence, when symptoms are more evident. In the end women suffering from untreated ADHD may have trouble with their work or school performance. This can negatively impact their job, grades or their image. It can also create problems in their personal life like issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members. Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help from a nonjudgmental support person. They can provide strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional may recommend changes in lifestyle and medications to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to maintain a steady energy and avoiding caffeine, which can cause an increase in the negative effects of stimulant medications. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness is a trait that affects decision making in many areas of life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and with the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret uncertain situations as potentially dangerous. It was also found to be related to a fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions. In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd that were interviewed they said they were not in a position to make decisions regarding their personal and professional lives. They found it hard to manage their finances and relationships, and struggled to find jobs they enjoyed. They often waited for others to make decisions, or were unable to complete tasks such as arranging childcare. adult female adhd symptoms believed that their ADHD symptoms like impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects were holding them back. They had a difficult time in establishing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health problems. They reported anxiety and stress, lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties which was beneficial for self-esteem since it meant they were not blamed for their own problems. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies. The interviews showed that the women had a number of positive characteristics, but they struggled to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. The women reported the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships, and a messy house. 5. Lack of Self-Esteem Women can conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable for men and boys. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can cause feelings of self-esteem loss that can cause depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. A high self-esteem is a precursor to healthier relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth are more likely to look outside themselves to find validation, including relationships, careers money, power, and relationships. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication in relationships, which could eventually end it. In addition to a lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often have a feeling that they don't have enough of the good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or “keep up” with other people. This can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and an addiction to substances or food. While these are major challenges, the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how they feel about their ability to manage it. Some of them have identified their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD. These include the ability to be creative, energetic and determination as well as the ability to easily get interested in new topics. They also describe their unique challenges as part of a bigger picture that includes family and cultural issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.