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ADHD Traits in Women Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones—and that many people do not fit into a sex binary. Sexe and gender can affect the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed. ADHD is usually diagnosed in 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 a diagnosis. 1. Problems with Focusing Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and can affect both genders. Women may have more difficulty to attain the focus they require particularly since symptoms typically manifest in different ways in men. Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss doctor's appointments. In addition to these innate differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. adhd symptoms in women test is larger which helps with learning and memory. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can influence brain function. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school and at work. They could also struggle with a variety of co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder. It is important that health professionals understand the many clues females with ADHD show. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations, and other factors that affect the severity of symptoms. Patients can then receive the treatment they need. 2. Impulsivity Females with ADHD are often unable to managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a key aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. These include poor self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friends as well as a messy home or personal space, and the inability to manage time or money. Gender stereotypes may also impact how women with ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are perceived as more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated at being diagnosed with ADHD. People with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses Also known as the prefrontal cortex. 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 a rude comment. For adults with ADHD, medication can help to increase their ability to manage their impulsivity. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine may reduce impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or guanfacine are also effective. People with ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps them change their mental patterns and develop more effective methods of coping. Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough rest can all help to control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and communicate the information with their doctor to assess whether their treatment regimen is working. 3. Disorganization Disorganization can be a major issue for people with ADHD and impact their personal and professional lives. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks, and their productivity may be reduced. They might also be late and find themselves overwhelmed on a regular basis. Lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. In the end, they might feel lonely and isolated. Family and friends may also confuse their feelings. It is more difficult to organize during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles as hormones alter and symptoms become more severe. Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to fit into societal norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could also be a reason why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence when symptoms are more evident. Women who are not treated for ADHD may have poor performance at work or in school. This can affect their career, grades, or reputation. It can also cause problems in their personal life like issues with romantic partners, or strained relationships with friends and family members. Women who are chronically disorganized can get help one-on-one from a nonjudgmental support person. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by making lists and establishing reminders. A qualified mental health professional can also suggest medication and lifestyle changes to aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can trigger side effects of stimulant medication. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects 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 has also been linked to neuroticism, and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is because people perceive ambiguous situations as being dangerous. It has also been found to be correlated with anxiety about 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 suffering from adhd who were interviewed, they described not being able to make decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and were difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships, and health. They frequently were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable complete tasks on their own, like scheduling childcare. They often felt like they were being hindered by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsivity. They had trouble in establishing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health problems. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety as well as a lack of sleep and a poor diet. They also felt stigmatized by media and adults. They were able to explain their struggles with ADHD and helped boost their self-esteem as they weren't blaming themselves. They also had access to the appropriate treatment strategies. The interviews revealed that the women had a number of positive characteristics but were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their lives. These included a lack of career or romantic opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home. 5. Lack of self-esteem Some of the signs that are a part of ADHD are seen as less acceptable socially for girls and women than they are for men and boys Some women choose to conceal their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD may be able to internalize their ADHD and develop strategies to cope, such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can cause feelings of self-esteem issues that contribute to anxiety, depression or eating disorders. A sense of inner worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look outside themselves to find validation, including careers, relationships as well as money and power. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can result in a lack of communication in a relationship, which can eventually end it. Women with ADHD may also feel they don't deserve the best things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a need to please or to “keep up” with other people. This can lead to a toxic work culture, a negative body image, and an addiction to food or substances. Although these are significant challenges but the women who participated in this study also discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either a blessing or a curse depending on the way they perceive their ability to control it. Some of them have identified strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. These include high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to effortlessly become fascinated by new subjects. They also talk about their individual struggles in the context of a larger picture that includes biological and gender distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.