ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD develop strategies to manage their symptoms. Some of these include creating a daily routine and setting up phone reminders. They can also make use of bravado to protect themselves from social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms may become unsustainable. They may also experience compulsive disorders, such as mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviours like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be inattentive, meaning they are more difficult to stay focused and tend to forget things. They may also have difficulty managing their professional and personal lives, which may affect their work performance. They may miss appointments, not pay bills, and are prone to procrastination. They may have trouble understanding or completing math. These problems can worsen when, prior to and after menopausal symptoms.
Experts believe that women and girls are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making 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 can be perceived by others as being less acceptable, especially if impulsive and disorganized.
The good news is that it is possible for women with ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. It is important to find a provider who is well-versed in the disorder and understands how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which helps patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that lead to problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a combination of CBT with other therapeutic practices to improve self-regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy assists individuals develop skills for managing emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD also often struggle with sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection that makes it more difficult for them to maintain relationships. This can lead to women with ADHD being more likely than other women to engage in sexually dangerous actions, become pregnant unintentionally 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 at work, school, or in other social situations. They might also have difficulty learning to understand body language and pick up social signals.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD are unable to wait or are driven to move forward. This makes it difficult to accomplish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. Women might also have difficulty to fulfill their social obligations or stick to their commitments. They also have to deal with emotional outbursts and a inability to control their emotions.
It is important for women with ADHD to seek assistance when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and boost self-esteem and confidence. With lifestyle changes and medication, it is possible to reduce or completely eliminate the symptoms.
Sleeping enough can help reduce ADHD symptoms. A good bedtime routine and a reduction in screen time at night and eating on a regular schedule can all help improve sleeping habits. Women with ADHD may benefit from a weighted quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women with ADHD although it's not a sign of the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or deeper issues like low self-esteem and relationships issues. Women with ADD are often struggling with self-esteem because they aren't performing like other girls and women their older. They have difficulty socializing and a lack of ability to pick up on social cues can also cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women have a difficult to be diagnosed with ADD. This is due to the fact that doctors often make the mistake of interpreting the symptoms of ADD in women as symptoms that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially evident during puberty, pregnancy and during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones are undergoing changes.
Women can also hide their symptoms more easily than men or boys. It can be challenging to balance the demands of society with ADHD symptoms. This can lead anxiety, depression, and anxiety. It could also be a factor in the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which is common in teens and young women suffering from ADHD.
Impulsive
If you're suffering from impulsive type ADHD symptoms you're quick to make decisions without thinking. You don't want to wait for your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt others or interrupt them in their conversation. You are also unable to judge the appropriateness of your social actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to maintain relationships or work and can make it difficult to meet the expectations from family friends, colleagues and other family members.
Women with impulsive-type ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions which can cause more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that people are criticizing or disrespecting them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. They might be unable to finish their work at home or at work or lose their keys or wallet. They may be at risk of spending money on items that don't provide value or lose track of important dates and appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can conceal their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They may have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services who can assist them in overcoming the disorganization which can cause them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or even pay bills. They may find it easier to cope with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their loved ones than in 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.
Depression, which is often caused by or coexists alongside ADD, can also be the reason why a woman suffering from an impulsive type ADHD might not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD can be hard for people suffering from depression to manage, and it can be difficult to treat the depression while dealing with the impulsive behavior. Impulsive behavior can contribute to feelings of self-doubt, and a sense of worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD experience. This can be made worse by the lack of support from loved ones.
Depression
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience symptoms that resemble depression. discover this may feel depressed and worthless, having trouble getting enough sleep or concentrating or being angry and easily annoyed. Doctors often combine both conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD can affect your relationships with others. In platonic or romantic relationships your issues with focus and attention can cause frustration and miscommunication that may lead to conflict. These issues can lead to colleagues or coworkers not understanding your behavior in work or school settings as lack of interest, commitment or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to diagnose than men due to women being more adept in hiding their symptoms. They frequently alter their behavior to fit in with society expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotional. In some cases they may resort to unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive drinking and drug use, especially in the adolescent stage. This can also make it hard for them to recognize that their ADHD is causing their issues and delay getting an accurate diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptoms severity can differ. Some suffer from milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Others have severe symptoms that affect their daily activities.
There are several treatment options available for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as neurocognitive therapy (NCP), and dialectical behavior therapy. These therapies can improve self-regulation, impulse control, and 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, viloxazine, Clonidine, and Guanfacine. Your doctor can tell you more about the advantages and risks of these medications. 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 at meetings to help you stay on track. add adult women may also benefit from joining a women's ADHD support group.