5 Lessons You Can Learn From ADHD Traits In Women

ADHD Traits in Women

Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are determined by biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. Many people don't fit neatly into an unisexual gender. Sexe and gender can affect how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.

ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause problems in more than one environment to qualify for a diagnosis.

1. Problems with Focusing

Inattention is the core of ADHD, and it's a problem for all genders. Women may have more difficulty to achieve the focus they need due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest in different ways for men.

Women are more likely to be prone to disorganization and indecisiveness, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally disturbed and have a difficult time 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 attend doctor appointments or neglect to take their medications.

The hormones of women as well as these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is bigger which helps with memory and learning. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause may also affect brain function.

This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may face major difficulties in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They might also suffer from various comorbidities like depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

In these circumstances, it is crucial for health professionals to be aware of the various clues that females with ADHD often exhibit. They need to rethink their methods for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. This way, patients will 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 other people. This can cause emotional dysregulation which is a key component of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life outcomes. These include low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships with loved ones that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friends as well as a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.

Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD will be treated. They might be misunderstood since they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can exacerbate their frustrations about being a victim of untreated ADHD.

People with ADHD suffer from impaired impulse control which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate statement in public.

For those who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to improve their ability to control their behavior. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can help to reduce impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medicines like Guanfacine and clonidine can be efficient too. People with ADHD may also benefit from behavioral therapy, which helps them change their thinking patterns and develop better strategies for coping.


Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough sleep can all help to control anxiety and impulsiveness among people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and then share the information with their doctor to determine whether or not their treatment is working.

3. Disorganization

Disorganization can be a major issue for people with ADHD and impact their professional and personal life. It may take them longer to complete their tasks and decrease their efficiency. They could also fail to meet deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.

A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may not remember important dates or even lose things like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and alone. Family and friends may also be confused about their feelings. Disorders are more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms become more severe.

It is not uncommon for women to mask their ADHD symptoms to fit in with society's norms and avoid being thought of as a problem. adhd traits in women can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. This could be a reason why women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD. This is especially evident 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 affect their work, grades, or reputation. It can also create problems in their personal life including issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends members.

Women who are chronically disorganized can benefit from the one-on-one assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can help them learn strategies to get and remain organized, for example, making a list of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A licensed mental health professional may also suggest medication and lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy and avoiding caffeine, which can cause an increase in the negative effects of stimulant medications.

4. Indecisiveness

Indecisiveness is one of the traits that can affect decision-making across a wide range of aspects of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with 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 employ worst-case scenario thinking, in which people interpret uncertain situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be related to the fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.

In the study that was qualitative of adult women suffering from adhd, interviewees described being incapable of making decisions regarding their work and personal lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships and struggled to find jobs they enjoyed. They often were dependent on others to decide or were unable complete projects on their own, for example, organizing childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like the inability to focus and impulsivity, or beginning projects was preventing them from completing.

They had a difficult time relaxing and maintaining friendships which led to mental health issues. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety and a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by adults and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD provided them with a reason for their struggles, which was helpful for self-esteem because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. It also gave them access to the appropriate treatment strategies.

The interviews revealed that women had a lot of positive qualities however, they were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their life. This included a lack of possibilities for romance or work, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home.

5. Lack of self-esteem

Women can hide their hyperactivity and impulsivity because they feel that their behavior is less acceptable than for boys and men. Women who suffer from ADHD may take on the characteristics of ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can cause feelings of low self-esteem that contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.

A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the foundation for more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth tend to look outside themselves for validation, like jobs, relationships, money, and power. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause a lack of communication in relationships, which could eventually end it.

Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women with ADHD often have feeling like they don't deserve the good things happening in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with others. This can result in an unhealthy work environment and a negative image of the body and a dependence on foods or substances.

Although these are significant challenges however, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them describe their ADHD as a gift or a curse, based on whether they feel they have control over it. Some of them have identified their own strengths that they believe are partially due to their ADHD. These include the ability to be creative, energetic and determination, as well as the ability to effortlessly become interested in new subjects. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a bigger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.

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Pub: 10 Oct 2024 20:47 UTC
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