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ADHD Traits in Women Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that sex and a gender are dependent on biology, which includes the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones. Many people don't fall into a binary sexuality. However, gender and sex influence the way symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed. 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 setting to qualify for an assessment. 1. Trouble focusing Inattention is at the heart of ADHD, and it's a problem for all genders. Women might have a harder time to achieve the focus they need due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest in different ways for men. 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 issues can lead to an inability to focus on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medications. In addition to these inherent gender differences, hormones of women can make ADHD symptoms worse. The hippocampus of females is bigger which helps in learning and memory. The fluctuations in hormones during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal changes can also affect brain function. Women with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also suffer from various comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. For these reasons, it is essential for health care professionals to recognize the many indications that females with ADHD frequently exhibit. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD to recognize emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they need. 2. Impulsivity Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially true when they are interacting with others. This can cause to emotional dysregulation, which is a symptom of ADHD symptoms. It can also be associated with negative life outcomes. This includes low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, problems with friendships as well as 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 will be treated. They may be misunderstood because they are perceived as more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can lead to their frustration at living with 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 executing with their intentions. This can make it difficult to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or blurt out an inappropriate comment in public. Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medication that helps to control their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help decrease the impulsive behavior while nonstimulant medications such as Guanfacine and clonidine can be effective too. Behavioral therapy may also be suggested, which can help those suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and develop better ways to cope with stress. Sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet, and practicing meditation can also help in reducing impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and then share this information with their physician in order to assess whether their treatment 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 tasks and reduce their efficiency. They could also be late and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis. An absence of organization could cause problems to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated due to this. They may also feel that they are not understood by family members and friends. Disorganization is more common during perimenopause or menopause when hormones change and symptoms are increasing. It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to fit in with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It can also be a reason for why girls and women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in adolescence when symptoms become more apparent. Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have poor performance at work or in school. This can impact their career, grades or overall standing. It can also cause problems in their personal life like issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with friends and family members. Women with chronic disorganization could get help one-on-one from a non-judgmental, supportive person. They can teach women how to stay organized by creating lists and setting reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can recommend medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine which can increase side effects from stimulant medications. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness is a characteristic that influences decision-making across a wide range of aspects of life. A variety of instruments have been developed to measure indecisiveness, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness has also been linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is because people perceive ambiguous situations as being threatening. It has also been proven to be associated with the fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to have trouble making decisions. In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd, interviewees described being unable to make decisions in their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find a job they liked or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They frequently had to wait for others to decide or were unable to complete tasks on their own, like organizing childcare. They often felt that they were held back by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsivity. They struggled to maintain friendships and had difficulty relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They described having high levels of anxiety and stress, a lack of sleep and a poor diet. They also expressed feeling slighted by the media and adults. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD and helped improve their self-esteem because they were not blaming themselves. It also gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies. The interviews showed that the women had a lot of positive qualities, but they struggled to overcome the effects of their ADHD symptoms on various aspects of their life. adhd in adult women symptoms reported an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, difficulties maintaining relationships, and a messy house. 5. Lack of self-esteem Some of the symptoms that are a part of ADHD are considered to be less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for males and females Some women choose to are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. Women might be able to internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can result in low self-esteem, which could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders. A high sense of inner worth is the precursor to better relationships and a positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth, they tend to seek outside things – including careers, relationships, wealth, and power to feel a sense of worthiness. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in a relationship, which can ultimately end it. In addition to a lack of self-worth, those with ADHD often struggle with feeling like they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or “keep up” with others. This can result in toxic workplace cultures as well as a negative self-image and an addiction to substances or food. While these are major challenges, the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They describe ADHD as an advantage or a disadvantage according to how they feel about their ability to manage it. Several of them also identify personal strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD which include high energy, creativity determination and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.