ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms. One of them is creating an everyday routine and setting up phone reminders. They can also make use of bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms may become unsustainable. They could also develop co-occurring conditions like anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behaviours such as cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women suffering from ADHD tend to have the inattention subtype which makes it more difficult for them to stay focused on their work and are more likely forget things. They also may have issues organizing their professional and personal lives, which can impact their performance at work. They might miss appointments, not pay bills or delay their work. They may have trouble understanding or completing math. These problems can get worse prior to, during and after menopausal changes.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for females and females to be diagnosed with ADHD because they are better at masking their symptoms. 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 could be viewed as being less acceptable to society particularly if they're chaotic or impulsive.
It is possible for women with ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. It is important to select a professional who is well-versed in the disorder and how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that can cause them to engage in problematic behaviors neurocognitive psychotherapy, a combination of CBT and other therapeutic methods that are designed to enhance self-regulation and impulse control; and dialectical behavior therapy, which assists people learn skills to assist them in managing their emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD also have a tendency to struggle with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection which makes it harder to keep relationships. This means that they are more likely to pursue intimate partners, engage in sexually risky behavior or even have unplanned pregnancy.
In addition, women with ADHD may have trouble making friends and interacting naturally with others, especially if they have hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms. This can make it difficult to fit in at work, school, or other social settings. It is also difficult for them to comprehend body language and recognize social signals.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel a pressing need to move on. This can make it difficult for them to accomplish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. Women might also have difficulty to stick to their social obligations or follow through with their commitments. They also have to deal with emotional outbursts and a lack of self-control.
It is important for women with ADHD to seek help when they are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and increase their confidence and self-esteem. Through changes in lifestyle as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to decrease or completely eliminate the symptoms.
Getting enough sleep can also aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine, limiting screen time at night, and eating on a regular schedule can all contribute to improved sleeping habits. Women with ADHD might also benefit from a weighted quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression is common among women with ADHD although it's not an indication of the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or because of the underlying issues like low self-esteem, poor job performance and difficulty with relationships. Women suffering from ADD are usually lacking self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as girls and women who are the same age. Having difficulty with social interaction and an inability to pick up on social cues can contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be harder for women to get diagnosed with ADD than males. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially relevant during pregnancy, puberty as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transitions when hormones are undergoing changes.
It is also more easy for women to conceal their symptoms than it is for males and males. In addition the society has many expectations for women that can be difficult to manage with symptoms of ADHD. This can cause anxiety, depression and stress. It can also play a role in self-injury that is not suicide-related, which is common in young women and teens with ADHD.
Impulsive
When you have impulsive-type ADHD symptoms, you're quick to act without thinking. You're not patiently waiting to get your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt other people or finish their sentences. You may also find it difficult to judge appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These behaviors can affect your ability to maintain your job or maintain a relationship and they can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family, colleagues and friends.
Women who suffer from an impulsive ADHD have a hard time managing their emotions. This can lead to conflict in relationships and in the workplace. They might feel that people are judging them or are disrespectful because they're unable to keep pace or focus. They might not be able to complete tasks at work or home, or misplace their wallet or keys. They could be prone to spending money on things that don't provide value or lose track of important dates and appointments.
Some women with ADHD are able to hide their symptoms. This is especially true in their professional lives. They may have assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them deal with the disorder that may make them forget appointments, not pay bills or fail to meet deadlines. They might be able to deal with their impulsive ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their family members than at the workplace.
Gender bias is one of the reasons women with the 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.
Depression, which is often caused by or coexists with ADD It could also be a reason for why a woman suffering from impulsive type ADHD may not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior that comes with ADD can be hard for people suffering from depression to manage, and it can be difficult to treat depression while dealing with the impulsive behavior. The impulsive behavior can contribute to feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that some women with ADD suffer from, which can be compounded by an absence of support from loved ones.
The following are some ways to lower your risk:
Women suffering from ADHD may experience symptoms similar to those experienced in depression. adhd in adult women symptoms may include feeling worthless and low and having trouble in concentrating or sleeping, and being angry. A lot of times, these two disorders are combined and treated together by a physician. Depression and ADD could also impact your relationships. Inability to focus and pay attention can cause confusion and frustration that can lead into conflict. In school or at work such issues could cause colleagues and coworkers to misinterpret your behavior as hostility, disinterest, or lack of commitment.
Depression and ADHD in women can be more difficult to identify than males because women are more adept in hiding their symptoms. They tend to alter their behavior to conform to social expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances they turn to unhealthy methods to cope, like excessive alcohol and substance use, especially in the adolescent years. This makes it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the root of their issues, and can delay getting a diagnosis.
Within the same family, symptoms severity can vary. Some people experience milder symptoms that are called high-functioning ADHD. Some people have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily life.
The good news is that there are treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD that include cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical therapy for behavior. These therapies can improve self-regulation as well as control of impulses and also help you manage your emotions.
There are also a number medicines that can be prescribed to treat ADHD among adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants include atomoxetine, clonidine, and guanfacine. Your doctor will be able to tell you more about these drugs as well as their benefits and dangers. They might also be able to give you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. For example, you might consider using an organizer and note-taking reminders and taking notes during meetings to help you stay organized. You may also benefit from joining an women's ADHD support group.