ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD often develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. This could include creating an everyday schedule and setting reminders on their phones. They can also make use of bravado to shield themselves from social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ could become ineffective. They could also develop comorbid disorders such as anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have the inattention subtype, which makes it harder to keep their attention on their tasks and more likely to forget things. They may also have difficulty organizing their personal and work lives, which may hinder their performance at work. They might miss appointments, fail to pay their bills and may be prone to procrastination. They may have difficulty understanding or completing math. These problems may get worse during, before and after menopausal changes.
Many experts believe it is more difficult for women and girls 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 are often viewed by others as being less acceptable, especially if impulsive and unorganized.
The good news is that it is possible for women suffering from ADHD to live full, happy and fulfilling lives. It is essential to select a professional who is well-versed in the disorder and how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that can lead to problematic behaviors Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is which is a combination of CBT and other therapeutic methods that are designed to improve impulse control and self-regulation and dialectical behavior therapy, which helps people learn skills to help manage their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have issues with rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them to keep relationships. This can lead to women who suffer from ADHD being more likely than other people to engage in risky sexual actions, become pregnant unintentionally 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 makes it difficult for them to be a part of a group at work, at school or in other social situations. They might be unable to understand body language and recognize social cues.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to wait for something or feel a urgent need to complete the task. This makes it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to keep their social commitments or follow through with their commitments. Women can also have emotional outbursts or a lack in self-control.
It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to seek help when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and boost their confidence and self-esteem. Through changes in lifestyle as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
A restful night's sleep can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. A routine for bedtime, limiting screen time at night and eating on a regular basis can all aid in improving sleeping habits. A woman with ADHD could also benefit from using a weighted blanket or calming music to help them fall asleep.
Depression, though not an indicator of ADHD is a common occurrence in women who have the condition. It could be the result of the debilitating consequences of untreated ADD or because of the root causes like low self-esteem, poor job performance and difficulty with relationships. Women who suffer from ADD are often struggling with self-esteem since they don't perform like other girls and women their older. Being unable to interact with others and an inability to detect social signals can contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be harder for women to get diagnosed with ADD than it is for men. This is due to the fact that doctors often mistake the symptoms of ADD in women as signs that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly evident during puberty, pregnancy as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transitions when hormones are changing.
It is also easier for women to conceal their symptoms than it is for males and males. It can be challenging to manage the demands of society and ADHD symptoms. This can cause stress, depression and anxiety. It may be a factor in self-injury that is not suicide-related which is a common occurrence among young women and teens with ADHD.
Impulsive
You are quick and without thinking when you have the impulsive ADHD symptoms. You're not able to wait for your turn to speak during conversations, and you're more likely to interrupt or finish other people's sentences. You also have difficulty judging the social appropriateness of your actions. These behaviors can affect your ability to maintain your job or maintain a relationship and make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family members, friends and coworkers.
Women with impulsive-type ADHD frequently have difficulty managing their emotions and this can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. adhd in adult women may feel that others are unkind or apathetic because they can't keep up or focus. They might be unable to finish their work at the office or at home or lose their keys or wallet. They might be inclined to spending money on things that are not valuable or they could forget important dates or appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can hide their symptoms. This is especially the case in their professional lives. They might have secretaries, assistants or cleaning services to help them cope with the disorder that may make them forget appointments, pay bills, or miss deadlines. It might be easier for them to manage their impulsive ADHD symptoms at home with their friends and family than in the office.
Gender bias is among the reasons that women suffering from impulsive type ADHD are underdiagnosed. 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 that a woman with an impulsive type of ADHD may not be recognized is depression, which can coexist with or is caused by ADD. 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 struggling with an impulsive personality. Those impulsive behaviors can also contribute to feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD feel. This can be made worse by a lack support from family members.
Here are a few of the ways to reduce your risk of contracting a disease:
Women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit symptoms that resemble depression. The symptoms may include feeling worthless and low as well as difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and being angry. Doctors often combine both conditions and treat them both. Depression and ADD could also impact your relationships. Your inability to concentrate and pay attention can lead to confusion and frustration that can lead into conflict. In work or school settings such issues could make colleagues and coworkers interpret your behavior as hostility, disinterest, or lack of commitment.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify depression and ADHD. They tend to alter their behavior to fit in with society expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotional. In some instances they turn to unhealthy methods to cope, such as excessive drinking and drug use, especially in the adolescent years. This makes it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the reason for their problems, and delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
Within the same family, symptom severity can vary. Some people experience milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some have severe symptoms that affect their daily lives.
There are many 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, and can teach you to manage your emotions.
In addition, there are a number of drugs that 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 tell you more about the benefits and risks of these drugs. Your doctor might also offer other suggestions to help you manage your symptoms. For instance, you can try using a planner, writing down reminders, and taking notes at meetings to help you stay on track. You could also benefit by joining an ADHD support group for women.