ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD frequently develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. This could include creating a daily schedule and setting reminders on their phones. They can also make use of bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ could become ineffective. They could also develop co-occurring conditions like anxiety disorders, mood disorders and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women with ADHD tend to be inattentive, which makes it harder for them to stay focused on tasks and are more likely forget things. They also may have issues with organizing their personal and professional lives, which may affect their performance at work. They might miss appointments, not pay bills or procrastinate. They may have difficulty reading or doing math. These issues can get worse during, before and after menopausal changes.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for women and girls to get 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 may be viewed by others as unacceptable particularly if they are impulsive and unorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women suffering from ADHD to lead full, happy and fulfilling lives. However, it's important to find a professional who is knowledgeable about the disorder and understands how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which helps patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy combines CBT together with other therapies to improve self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy can help individuals develop skills for managing emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD often have a problem with sensitivity to rejection. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection whether it's real or perceived. This causes them to be unable to maintain relationships. This can lead to women with ADHD being more prone than other people to engage in sexually dangerous behavior, have unplanned pregnancy or seek out 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 makes it difficult to make friends at work, school or in other social situations. They may also find it difficult to understand body language and detect social signals.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often have a difficult time waiting for something or feel a urgent need to move on. This can make it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying bills. It may also be challenging for women to follow through on their commitments and social interactions. Women can also have emotional outbursts, or be lacking of self-control.
If a woman is experiencing symptoms of ADHD It is crucial to seek assistance. Treatment can help improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. Through lifestyle changes and medication, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's sleep can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine, limiting the time you spend on screens at night, and eating according to a schedule can all aid in improving sleeping habits. A woman with ADHD could benefit from a blanket that is weighted or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression, though not a symptom of ADHD, is common in women who have the condition. It may occur as a result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or due to underlying issues like low self-esteem, poor job performance and difficulty in relationships. Women who suffer from ADD are usually insecure about their self-esteem because of their inability to perform well as girls and women of the same age. Inability to read social cues and difficulty in social interactions may contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women can have a harder time getting diagnosed with ADD. adhd in women adult is due to the fact that doctors often misinterpret the symptoms of ADD in women for symptoms that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially evident during pregnancy and puberty and also during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones are undergoing changes.
It is also easier for women to conceal their symptoms than it is for men and boys. Additionally, society has a lot of expectations for women, which can be stressful when juggling with the symptoms of ADHD. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and stress. It can be a contributing factor to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which is common in teens and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
You act quickly and without thinking when you suffer from the impulsive ADHD symptoms. You can't wait 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 the social appropriateness or your actions. These behaviors can affect your ability to keep your job or maintain a relationship and they can make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family members, friends and coworkers.
Women suffering from an impulsive ADHD have a hard time managing their emotions. This can cause conflict in relationships and in the workplace. They might feel that people are judging or ignoring them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. They might not be able complete tasks at home or at work, or misplace their keys or wallet. They could be prone to spending money on things that don't bring value or forget important dates and appointments.
Some women with ADHD may conceal their symptoms. This is especially true in their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them deal with the chaos that can make them forget appointments, pay bills or miss deadlines. They might find it easier to deal with their impulsive-type 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 impulsive type ADHD are not 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 a woman with an impulsive type of ADHD may not be recognized is depression, which often coexists with or is caused by ADD. Patients suffering from depression may have difficulty attempting to manage the impulsive behaviors that are associated with ADD. It is also difficult to deal with depression when impulsive behavior is present. Those impulsive behaviors can also contribute to feelings of self-doubt and despair that some women with ADD feel. This can be exacerbated by the lack of support from loved ones.
Here are a few ways to lower your risk:
Women suffering from ADHD might exhibit symptoms that are similar to those seen in depression. These can include feeling low and unimportant, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating or being anxious and easily angered. Doctors often combine both disorders and treat them in conjunction. Depression and ADD can affect your relationships with other people. In romantic or platonic partnerships, your trouble with attention and focus could heighten frustrations and misunderstandings which can lead to conflict. These problems can lead to coworkers or colleagues thinking that your behavior in school or at work settings as lack of commitment, disinterest or hostility.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making it difficult to identify depression and ADHD. They change their behavior in order to comply with social norms and avoid being seen as fragile or emotionally unstable. In some instances they turn to unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive drinking and drug use particularly during the adolescent stage. This can make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the cause of their problems and delay getting an accurate diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from individual to individual even within the same family. Certain people experience milder symptoms, which are known as high-functioning ADHD. Some sufferers have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily activities.
The good news is that there are treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD, including cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical therapy for behavioral disorders. These therapies can improve self-regulation and impulse control. They also help you manage your emotions.
There are also a variety of medicines that can be prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants are also available like atomoxetine (Strattera), viloxazine (Qelbree), Clonidine (Kapvay), and Guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can explain the advantages and risks of these medications. Your doctor might also offer other suggestions for managing your symptoms. You can use a planner to stay organized and take notes during meetings and make reminders. You could also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.