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ADHD Traits in Women Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people don't belong to a sex binary. However, gender and sex can affect how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed. ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in multiple settings to qualify for the diagnosis. 1. Problems with Focusing Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. Women may have a harder focus, particularly since symptoms can appear differently than males. Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They also are more likely to experience emotional stress and have trouble putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on tasks, leading to a lack of productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with their doctor. The hormones that women experience, in addition to these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, and hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can affect their brain's functioning. In the end, women with undiagnosed ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in their relationships, 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 understand the many clues females with ADHD show. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations, and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients will finally receive the treatment they need. 2. Impulsivity Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation, which is a major component of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life results. These include poor self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult romantic relationships which can lead to violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships, a messy house or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money. Gender stereotypes can also influence the way women with ADHD are 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 at 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 are more prone to making decisions and sticking with their intentions. This can make you want to take a bite more cake or to make an inappropriate comment. Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medications that help them manage their impulsivity. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy can also be recommended, which can help those suffering from ADHD modify their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping. A good night's sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help in reducing restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It is also a great idea to keep track their symptoms throughout the day, and share the information with their doctor to determine whether their treatment is working. 3. Disorganization Disorganization is a common problem for people suffering from ADHD and can have a negative impact on their work and personal lives. They may have difficulty to complete tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They may also be late or overwhelmed every day. Inability to organize can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may miss important dates or misplace items like keys or purses. In the end, they might feel isolated and lonely. They may also feel unloved by family members and friends. Disorders are more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones are changing and symptoms become more severe. Women often hide their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It could be a reason for why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially true in adolescence, when symptoms are more evident. Women who are not treated for ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This could have a negative impact on their work, grades, or reputation. It could also cause issues in their personal life including issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with family members and friends members. Women who are chronically unorganized can benefit from the one-on-one support of a non-judgmental person. They can teach women how to stay organized by creating an agenda and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional may also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can increase side effects from stimulant medications. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness is a trait that affects decision making in many areas of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and with the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret ambiguous situations as dangerous. It is also believed to be linked with a fear of being wrong, which could help explain why it's common for people with adhd to have difficulty making decisions. In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd interviewed the participants said they were not in a position to make choices about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to find the job they wanted or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They often waited for other people to decide or were unable to finish projects themselves, such as scheduling childcare. They often felt that they were being hindered by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive. They had a difficult time in establishing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health problems. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, a sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them increase their self-esteem since they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies. adhd in women treatment revealed that the women had a number of positive characteristics but were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their lives. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships and a messy home. 5. Self-esteem issues Certain of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for boys and men, so some women conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. They may also be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can cause lower self-esteem and could cause depression, anxiety or eating disorders. A high self-esteem is a key factor in healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. If people do not have a strong sense of self-worth, they tend to seek external things – such as careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships to feel a sense of worthiness. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication in relationships, which could eventually end it. Women with ADHD might also feel they are not worthy of good things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or “keep up” with other people. This can result in toxic workplace cultures, a negative self-image, and a dependence on substance or food. Although these are significant challenges however, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally say that they view their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they believe they have control over it. A few of them also point out personal strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD which include high energy, creativity, determination and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. In addition, they describe their individual struggles as part of a larger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as also gender and biological differences.