ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. Some of these include creating routines for their day and setting up phone reminders. They could also resort to bravado to protect themselves from social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms can become unsustainable. They could also develop comorbid disorders like anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be inattentive and are more difficult to stay focused and are more likely to lose track of things. They also may have issues managing their personal and professional lives, which can impact their work performance. They might miss appointments, not pay bills or delay their work. They might have trouble in reading or with math. These problems may get worse during, before and after menopause.
Experts believe that women and girls are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose ADHD. This may be because of gender stereotypes that view boys and men as more boisterous than girls and women, according to Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). These behaviors are often viewed as unsocially acceptable particularly if they're unorganized or impulsive.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to live full, happy and fulfilled lives. But it's crucial to find a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder and understands how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that lead to problematic behaviors; neurocognitive psychotherapy, a combination of CBT and other therapeutic practices that are designed to enhance self-regulation and impulse control; and dialectical behavior therapy, which assists people learn skills to help manage their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD typically have issues with sensitivity to rejection. This is a strong emotional reaction to rejection whether it's real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. This can lead to women with ADHD being more prone than other women to engage in risky sexual behaviors, get pregnant without planning or look for casual sexual partners.
In addition, women with ADHD may have trouble making friends and interacting naturally with others, especially if they have hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms. This could make it difficult to fit in with others at work, at school or in other social environments. They may also find it difficult to read bodylanguage and recognize social signals.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel a urgent need to get moving. This can make it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying the bills. Women might also have difficulty to keep their social commitments or follow through with their commitments. They also have to deal with emotional outbursts as well as a lack of self-control.
It is crucial for women with ADHD to seek assistance when they are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can help improve their lives and boost their confidence and self-esteem. With lifestyle changes, medication and therapy it is possible to lessen or eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's sleep can reduce ADHD symptoms. weblink for bedtime and a slowed down screen time at night and eating on a regular basis can all help improve sleeping habits. Women suffering from ADHD may also benefit from a heavier quilt or soothing music to aid in their sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women with ADHD, even though it's not a symptom of the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating effect of untreated ADD or other underlying issues such as low self-esteem or relationship issues. Women who suffer from ADD are often insecure about their self-esteem because of their inability to perform as well as girls and women of the same age. They have difficulty socializing and being unable to recognize social signals can contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women may have a tougher when it comes to being diagnosed with ADD. This is because doctors often mistake the symptoms of ADD in women as signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly evident during puberty, pregnancy and during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones are undergoing changes.
It is also more easy for women to conceal their symptoms than for males and males. It can be challenging to cope with the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can cause stress, depression and anxiety. It can also contribute to the development non-suicidal-self-injury, which is common among young women and teens with ADHD.
Impulsive
When you have impulsive-type ADHD symptoms you're quick to make decisions without thinking. You're not able to wait for your turn to speak during a conversation, and you're more likely to interrupt or end other people's sentences. You are also unable to judge the appropriateness of your social actions. These behaviors can affect your ability to keep a job or a relationship and can make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family, colleagues and friends.
Women suffering from impulsive ADHD have a hard time managing their emotions. This can cause conflict in relationships and in the workplace. They may feel like others are critical or disrespectful because they're unable to keep pace or concentrate. They may be unable to complete tasks at the office or at home or even lose their wallet or keys. They could be prone to spending money on things that don't bring value or lose track of important dates and appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can conceal their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They might have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services who assist them in overcoming the disorder that can lead them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or pay bills. They may find it easier to deal with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home with their loved ones than in the workplace.
Gender bias could be one of the reasons why women suffering from impulsive type ADHD aren't diagnosed. Doctors and teachers tend to look for the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms that are more common in boys and men when making diagnoses, so they're more likely to overlook or dismiss a woman's symptoms as anxiety or mood-related rather than ADHD.
Other reasons why women suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD is often difficult for those suffering from depression to control, and it's difficult to manage depression when struggling with impulsive behavior. These impulsive behaviors may cause feelings of self-doubt, and a sense of worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD experience. This can be exacerbated by the lack of support from family members.
Depression
Women who suffer from ADHD can have symptoms similar to those that are seen in depression. This can include feeling depressed and unimportant, having difficulty in concentrating or sleeping or being angry and easily annoyed. Doctors often combine both disorders and treat them in conjunction. Depression and ADD can also affect your relationships with others. Your inability to focus and pay attention can result in frustrations and misunderstandings which can lead you to conflicts. These issues can result in colleagues or coworkers misinterpreting your behaviour in school or work situations as a lack of interest, commitment, or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to diagnose than men due to women being more adept at hiding their symptoms. They frequently alter their behavior to fit in with society expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotional. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive drinking and drug abuse, especially during the adolescent stage. This could make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the cause of their problems, and may delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
Within the same family, symptoms severity can vary. Some people experience milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Certain people experience severe symptoms that interfere with their daily activities.
There are a variety of treatment options available for adults suffering from ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive therapy (NCP), and dialectical behavior therapy. These therapies can improve self-regulation as well as control of impulses and also teach you how to manage your emotions.
In addition, there are a number of medications that are used to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants include atomoxetine, viloxazine, Clonidine, and Guanfacine. Your doctor can provide more about these medications along with their benefits and dangers. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for managing your symptoms. Planners can be used to stay on top of things, or take notes during meetings and write down reminders. You might also benefit from joining a women's ADHD support group.