ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms. One of them is creating routines for their day and establishing phone reminders. They may also use bravado to ward off social isolation.
Their coping strategies may become unsustainable. They may also develop comorbid disorders like mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have the inattentive subtype which makes it more difficult for them to remain focused on their tasks and are more likely to forget things. They may also have difficulty managing their work and personal lives, which may impact their work performance. They might miss appointments, or fail to pay bills, and are susceptible to procrastination. They may have trouble in math or reading. These issues can get worse in the months prior to, and following menopausal symptoms.
Experts believe that girls and women are better at hiding 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 could be viewed as less socially acceptable, especially if they are unorganized or impulsive.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. It's important to choose a professional who is familiar with 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 along with other therapeutic methods to improve impulse control and self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy helps people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improving interpersonal interactions.
Women suffering from ADHD are often plagued with sensitivity to rejection. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection whether it is real or perceived. This causes them to be unable to keep relationships. This can result in women who suffer from ADHD being more likely than others to engage in risky sexual behavior, have unplanned pregnancy 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 could make it difficult to make friends with other people at work, at school or in other social settings. They may also have difficulty learning to read body language and recognize social cues.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often have a difficult time waiting for something or feel a pressing need to complete the task. This can make it hard to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the home or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to stick to their social obligations or keep their commitments. Women can also have emotional outbursts, or be lacking of self-control.
If a woman is experiencing symptoms of ADHD It is essential to seek out help. Treatment can help improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to reduce or eliminate symptoms with changes in lifestyle treatment, therapy and medications.
A good night's rest can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Sleeping habits can be improved with having a regular bedtime routine and limiting the amount of screen time at night, and eating according to an established schedule. A woman suffering from ADHD can benefit from a blanket that is weighted or relaxing music to help them fall asleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women with ADHD, even though it's not a sign of the condition. It can be caused by the debilitating effects of untreated ADD, or related issues such as low self-esteem or relationship issues. Women who suffer from ADD often struggle with self-esteem as they aren't performing like other girls and women their older. Inability to discern social signals and have difficulty with social interactions can contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women may have a tougher time getting diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially relevant during pregnancy and puberty as well as during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles as hormones change.
It is also easier for women to conceal their symptoms than for males and males. It can be challenging to balance the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can lead anxiety, depression and anxiety. It may be a contributing factor to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which is a common occurrence in teens and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
When you have impulsive-type ADHD symptoms You're quick to react without thinking. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak during 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 actions in the context of social situations. These actions can affect your ability to maintain a job or a relationship and can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family, friends and coworkers.
Women who suffer from hyperactive ADHD have trouble managing their emotions. This can cause conflict in relationships and the workplace. They might feel that people are critical or disrespectful because they are unable to keep up or concentrate. They may be unable to finish tasks at work or at home or even lose their keys or wallet. They may be at risk of spending money on things that don't bring value or lose track of important dates and appointments.
Women with ADHD may conceal their symptoms. This is particularly true in their professional lives. previous may have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services who can help them cope with the disorganization which can cause them to miss deadlines, forget appointments or pay their bills. It could be easier for them to deal with their impulse-driven ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than in the office.
Gender bias is a reason why women with 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.
Depression, which is usually caused by or coexists with ADD is also one of the reasons why a woman suffering from an impulsive type ADHD may not be diagnosed. Patients suffering from depression may have difficulty attempting to manage the impulsive behavior that come with ADD. It can also be difficult to treat depression when impulsive behaviour is present. These impulsive behaviors may contribute towards the feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD experience. This can be exacerbated by a lack support from loved ones.
Depression
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience symptoms that resemble depression. The symptoms may include feeling worthless and low and having trouble getting enough sleep or concentrating, as well as being irritable. Doctors often combine both conditions and treat them both. Depression and ADD could also impact your relationships. In platonic or romantic relationships, your trouble with attention and focus can heighten frustrations and misunderstandings that may lead to conflict. These problems can lead to coworkers or colleagues not understanding your behavior in school or at work settings as a lack of commitment, disinterest or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to diagnose than males because women are more adept in hiding their symptoms. They change their behavior to conform to social expectations and avoid being labeled fragile or emotionally unstable. In some cases, they resort to unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive alcohol consumption and use of drugs particularly during the adolescent stage. This could make it difficult for them to realize that their ADHD is the root of their issues, and can delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptoms severity may differ. Certain people have milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that hinder their daily activities.
The good news is that there are treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD, including cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical therapy for behavior. These treatments can help improve self-regulation and impulse control, and can teach you how to manage your emotions.
There are also a number medications that can be prescribed to treat ADHD among adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). There are other non-stimulants, including atomoxetine (Strattera) viloxazine (Qelbree), Clonidine (Kapvay), and Guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can tell you more about these medications, including their benefits and dangers. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. You can use a planner to stay on top of things and take notes during meetings and record reminders. You could also benefit by joining an ADHD support group for women.