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ADHD Traits in Women Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. Many people don't easily fit into a binary sexuality. However, gender and sex influence how symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed. ADHD is diagnosed in early childhood, typically before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in more than one setting to qualify for a diagnosis. 1. Problems with Focusing Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. Women may have a difficult time focusing, especially since symptoms can manifest differently than males. Women are more likely than men to be disorganized and impulsive, for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability to concentrate and can result in a lack productivity at home or work. They're also more likely to skip doctor appointments and forget to take their medications. In addition to these natural variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in memory and learning, and hormone changes during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect their brain function. In the end, women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in their relationships and at work. They might also suffer from a variety of comorbid disorders including depression, anxiety and eating disorders. This is why it is crucial for health care professionals to be aware of the numerous clues that females with ADHD often show. They need to rethink their approach 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. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they require. 2. Impulsivity Females who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have trouble managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with others. This can cause to emotional dysregulation, which is a major cause of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative outcomes in life. This includes low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, trouble with friendships and a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money. Gender stereotypes can also influence how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently considered to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD. People suffering from ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses Also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and executing their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or make an inappropriate statement in public. For adults with ADHD, medication can help to increase their ability to manage their impulsivity. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce the impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medicines like Guanfacine and clonidine can be efficient too. Patients with ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps them change their thinking patterns and develop more effective coping techniques. Meditation and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control restlessness and impulsiveness in people with ADHD. It is also a good idea to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician so they can assess whether the treatment regimen is working. 3. Disorganization Disorganization can be a major issue for people suffering from ADHD and impact their work and personal lives. It may take longer to complete tasks, and reduce their productivity. They could also be late and become overwhelmed on a daily basis. An absence of organization could 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 because of this. Friends and family members may be confused about them. high functioning adhd in women is more difficult to organize in menopausal or perimenopausal women when hormones shift and symptoms become more severe. Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to fit into societal norms or to avoid being considered a failure. This can cause women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It could be a reason for why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially during adolescence, when symptoms become more obvious. Women who are not treated for ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This could affect their work, grades or their overall image. It can also create problems in their personal lives, such as difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members. Women who are chronically unorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 support of a non-judgmental friend. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating lists and setting reminders. A qualified mental health professional may recommend medication or lifestyle changes that can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine that can trigger side effects of stimulant medications. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of daily life. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to use worst-case scenario thinking, which is where people interpret ambiguous situations as dangerous. It has also been proven to be linked with a fear of being wrong, which could be the reason why it is common for people with adhd to have difficulty making decisions. In the study of qualitative research on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed the participants said they were not able to make choices about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and had trouble finding a job that they liked. They often were dependent on others to make decisions, or were unable to complete tasks like arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms such as inattention and impulsivity or difficulty starting projects were preventing them from progressing. They had a difficult time relaxing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health issues. They described having high levels of anxiety and stress, an inability to sleep and a poor diet. They also expressed feeling devalued by other adults and by the media. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-esteem because it meant they weren't blamed for their condition. They also had access to the appropriate treatment strategies. The interviews revealed that the women were extremely positive however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. The women complained of the absence of a job or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships and a messy home. 5. Self-esteem issues Women can hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they believe these behaviors aren't as acceptable than for boys and men. They may also take on their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can result in feelings of low self-esteem that contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders. A sense of inner worth is the precursor to better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look outside themselves to find validation, including jobs, relationships, money, and power. adhd in women treatment licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can cause a lack of communication in a relationship, which can ultimately end it. In addition to a lack of self-worth, those with ADHD frequently struggle with feeling like they don't have enough of the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or “keep up” with others. This can result in a toxic work culture as well as a negative image of one's body and a dependence on food or other substances. While these are serious issues, the women who participated 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 feel they can manage it. Several of them also identify personal strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD such as high energy, creativity, determination, and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. They also talk about their individual struggles in the context of a larger picture that includes gender and biological distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.