ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. Some of these include creating an everyday routine and setting up phone reminders. They may also use bravado to shield themselves from social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms could become ineffective. They could also develop comorbid conditions including anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be distracted which means they have a harder time staying focused and are more likely to lose track of things. They may also have difficulty organizing their personal and professional lives, which may affect their work performance. They might miss appointments, fail to pay bills or delay their work. They may have trouble reading or doing math. These issues can become more difficult prior to, during and after menopausal transition.
Experts believe that women and girls are more adept at concealing their symptoms, which makes it difficult to recognize 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 less socially acceptable, especially if they are chaotic or impulsive.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to live happy, fulfilled and full lives. However, it's important to find a professional who is well-versed in the disorder and can explain the way it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors; neurocognitive psychotherapy, a combination of CBT and other therapeutic practices that aim to improve impulse control and self-regulation and dialectical behavior therapy, which helps individuals develop skills that assist them in managing their emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD often have a problem 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 result in women with ADHD being more prone than other women to engage in risky sexual 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 can make it difficult to make friends with other people at work, at school or in other social environments. They may be unable to read bodylanguage and recognize social cues.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often have a difficult time waiting for something or feel a pressing need to get moving. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to keep their social commitments or stick to their commitments. Women may also experience emotional outbursts, or be lacking of self-control.
It is essential for women suffering from ADHD to seek assistance when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can help improve their lives and increase self-esteem and confidence. With lifestyle changes, medication and therapy it is possible to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's sleep can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Sleeping habits can be improved through a good bedtime routine and limiting the amount of screen time at night, and eating according to an established schedule. Women who suffer from ADHD may benefit from a weighted quilt or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression is common for women suffering from ADHD although it's not a symptom of the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating impact of untreated ADD or other deeper issues like low self-esteem and relationships issues. Women with ADD frequently struggle with self-esteem because they do not perform as well as women of similar older. Having difficulty with social interaction and being unable to pick up on social signals can contribute to their feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women can have a harder time getting diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially relevant during pregnancy, puberty and during perimenopause and menopause when hormone levels are changing.
It is also easier for women to hide their symptoms than it is for men and boys. It can be difficult to cope with the demands of society and ADHD symptoms. This can cause stress, depression and anxiety. It may also play a role in self-injury that is not suicide-related which is a common occurrence in young women and teens who have ADHD.
Impulsive
You react quickly and without thinking when you have an impulsive ADHD symptoms. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak in the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or complete sentences of other people. You may also find it difficult to judge appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These behaviors can impact your ability to keep the relationship or job you have and they can make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family, colleagues and friends.
Women who suffer from an impulsive ADHD struggle with managing their emotions. add and adhd in women can lead to conflict in relationships and in the workplace. They might feel that other people are criticizing or disrespecting them because they can't concentrate or keep up. They might be unable to finish their work at the office or at home or even lose their wallet or keys. They could be at risk of spending money on items that aren't worth the money or forget important dates or appointments.
Women with ADHD are able to hide their symptoms. This is especially relevant to their professional lives. They may have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services that can help them deal with the disorder that can lead them to miss deadlines, forget appointments or pay bills. They might be able to deal with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home with their family members than at the workplace.
Gender bias is one of the reasons women who suffer from the impulsive type ADHD aren't recognized as having the disorder. 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 impulsive-type ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which often coexists with or is caused by ADD. Depression sufferers might have difficulty in attempting to control the impulsive behaviors that are associated with ADD. It can be difficult to treat depression when impulsive behavior is present. Those impulsive behaviors can also cause feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that some women with ADD feel. This can be made worse by the lack of support from family members.
Here are a few ways to lower your risk:
Women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit symptoms that resemble depression. These can include feeling low and worthless, having trouble in concentrating or sleeping, or being irritable and easily angered. Doctors often combine the two disorders and treat them in conjunction. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships. In platonic or romantic relationships your struggles with focus and attention can heighten frustrations and misunderstandings that may lead to conflict. These problems can lead to colleagues or coworkers not understanding your behavior in school or at work settings as lack of interest, commitment or hostility.
Women are better at hiding their symptoms, making it more difficult to identify depression and ADHD. They alter their behavior in order to comply with social norms and avoid being seen as fragile or emotionally unstable. In some cases they turn to unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly during the adolescent years. This can make it hard for them to recognize that their ADHD is causing their issues and delay obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from person to person, even within the same family. Certain people have milder symptoms that are called high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that interfere with their lives.
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 help improve self-regulation and impulse control. They also help you manage your emotions.
In addition to that, there are a variety of drugs that treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants are also available, including atomoxetine (Strattera), viloxazine (Qelbree) as well as Clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can provide more about these medications, including their benefits and dangers. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. For instance, you could consider using an organizer and note-taking reminders and taking notes at meetings to help you stay on track. You might also benefit from joining an women's ADHD support group.