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adhd in women checklist in Women Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people don't fit into a sex binary. Gender and sexes can impact how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed. ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple environments to be able to receive a diagnosis. 1. Trouble focusing Inattention is the root of ADHD and can affect both genders. But women might have a harder time to achieve the focus they need particularly since symptoms typically manifest in different ways in men. Women are more likely to experience indecisiveness and disorganization for instance. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus on tasks, leading to a lack of productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip appointments with their doctor. In addition to these natural differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps in memory and learning. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can influence brain function. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school, and at work. They could also struggle with a myriad of comorbid conditions, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder. For these reasons, it is essential for health professionals to be aware of the various indicators that females suffering from ADHD frequently exhibit. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnose and treat females with ADHD in order to recognize hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. These patients can then finally receive the treatment they require. 2. Impulsivity Females suffering from ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It can also be associated with negative outcomes in life. This includes low self-esteem, coexisting depression and anxiety, problematic romantic relationships that can result in conflicts between partners, problems with friendships, a messy house or personal space, an inability manage time or money and a messy home. The gender stereotypes of women can influence how women with ADHD will be treated. They could be misunderstood as they are perceived as more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about being a victim of untreated ADHD. The portion of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they have more trouble making decisions and executing in their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public. For adults with ADHD, medication can help to enhance their ability to manage their impulsivity. stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce the impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medications such as the guanfacine and clonidine are effective as well. People with ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps them change their mental patterns and develop healthier coping techniques. Sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet, and practicing meditation can also help to control restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It's important 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. attention deficit disorder in women can be a problem for people suffering from ADHD and impact their personal and professional lives. They may have trouble to complete their tasks and their efficiency may be diminished. They may also miss deadlines and become overwhelmed on a daily basis. An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. They might feel lonely and unloved as a result. Friends and family members may confuse their feelings. Disorganization is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms become more severe. It is not uncommon for women to hide their ADHD symptoms to fit in with the norms of society and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It could also be the reason women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence when symptoms become more apparent. As a result women who are not treated for ADHD might have poor work or school performance. This can impact their work, grades or their overall image. It can also create problems for their personal life. For example, it may lead to problems with their romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends. Women who are chronically disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 assistance of a non-judgmental individual. They can help women learn to stay organized by creating a list and establishing reminders. A qualified mental health professional may also recommend medication and lifestyle changes that can reduce ADHD symptoms. These can include eating small meals throughout the day to ensure steady energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can cause an increase in the negative effects of stimulant medications. 4. Indecisiveness Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of daily life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to employ worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret ambiguous situations as threatening. It was also discovered to be linked to the fear of making a mistake, which could help explain why people with adhd have trouble making decisions. In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd that were interviewed, they described not being capable of making choices about their personal and professional lives. They had difficulty to manage their finances and relationships and struggled to find an occupation they liked. They often had to wait for others to make decisions, or were unable complete projects such as scheduling childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects was preventing them from completing. They had difficulty in establishing and maintaining friendships which led to mental health problems. They reported having high levels of stress and anxiety as well as an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by other adults and by the media. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD and helped increase their self-esteem since they were not blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to the appropriate treatment. The interviews revealed that the women had many positive qualities but were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on different aspects of their life. This included a lack of career or romantic opportunities, difficulty maintaining relationships and an unclean home. 5. Self-esteem issues Certain of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are considered to be less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for men and boys Some women choose to hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorganization. Some women might internalize their ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss that contribute to anxiety, depression or eating disorders. A sense of inner worth is the basis for better relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look outside themselves to find validation, including jobs, relationships as well as money and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can also lead to the lack of communication in a relationship. Alongside a feeling of lack of self-worth, women who have 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 desire to please or “keep up” with others. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment as well as a negative image of one's body, and an addiction to foods or substances. While these are major challenges, the women who participated in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them identify their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can manage it. Some of them have also identified their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to easily get fascinated by new subjects. They also discuss their unique struggles in the context of the larger picture, which includes gender and biological differences, as well cultural and family issues.