ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD often develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. These include establishing an everyday schedule and setting reminders on their phones. They can also make use of bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
However, their coping strategies could become unsustainable. They may also experience co-occurring conditions like anxiety disorders, mood disorders and self-harming behaviours like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women suffering from ADHD tend to be inattentive which makes it more difficult to keep their attention on their work and are more likely forget things. They may also have trouble organizing their personal and work lives, which may impact their work performance. They might miss appointments, or fail to pay bills, and are prone to procrastination. They may have difficulty understanding or completing math. These issues can get worse when, prior to and after menopause.
Many experts believe it is more difficult for girls and women to be diagnosed with ADHD because they are more adept at hiding 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 particularly if they are impulsive and disorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women suffering from ADHD to live happy, full and satisfying lives. But it's crucial to find a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder and can explain how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which aids patients identify 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 can help people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD are also often afflicted with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional response to real or perceived rejection that makes it more difficult to keep relationships. This can result in women with ADHD being more prone than others to engage in sexually dangerous behaviors, get pregnant without planning 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 fit in with others at school, at work or in other social settings. It is also difficult for them to comprehend body language and pick up on social signals.
Impatient
Women who suffer from ADHD are unable to sit still or are driven to move forward. This can make it difficult to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to stick to their social obligations or stick to their commitments. They can also struggle with emotional outbursts and inability to control their emotions.
It is essential for women with ADHD to seek assistance when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can help improve their lives and boost their confidence and self-esteem. With changes in lifestyle, medication and therapy it is possible to reduce or completely eliminate the symptoms.
Getting adhd in adults women can also help reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine and a reduction in screen time at night and eating on a regular schedule can all help improve sleeping habits. Women who suffer from ADHD may benefit from a weighted quilt or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression, while not an indication of ADHD, is common in women with the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or due to root issues, such as low self-esteem, low work performance and difficulty with relationships. Women with ADD are usually lacking self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as girls and women similar to them. Inability to discern social cues and difficulty with social interactions can cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to get diagnosed with ADD than men. This is due to the fact that doctors often mistake the symptoms of ADD in women as symptoms that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly relevant during pregnancy and puberty, as well as during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles, when hormones are changing.
It is also easier for women to hide their symptoms than it is for males and males. It can be difficult to cope with the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can lead depression, stress and anxiety. It could also be a factor in the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which is a common occurrence in teens and young women who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
If you suffer from impulsive-type ADHD symptoms, you're quick to act without thinking. You aren't able to wait for your turn to speak during a conversation, and you're more likely to interrupt or complete sentences of others. It can also be difficult to judge appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These behaviors can impact your ability to keep relationships or work and make it hard to meet the expectations from family, friends and colleagues.
Women with impulsive-type ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions which can cause more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that other people are judging them or disdaining them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. They might be unable to finish tasks at the office or at home or even lose their wallet or keys. They could be prone to spending money on things that don't bring value or lose track of important dates and appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can hide their symptoms. This is particularly true in their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretary or cleaning services that can assist them in overcoming the disorder that can lead them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or even pay bills. It could be easier for them to deal with their impulsive ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than at the office.
Gender bias is a reason that women suffering from impulsive type ADHD aren't 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 women with an impulsive type of ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which often coexists with or is caused by ADD. Depression sufferers might have difficulty in attempting to manage the impulsive behaviors that are characteristic of ADD. It can be difficult to deal with depression when impulsive behavior is present. These impulsive behaviors may contribute to feelings of self-doubt, and a sense of worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD experience. This can be exacerbated by a lack support from family members.
Here are a few of the ways you can reduce your risk of contracting a disease:
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience symptoms that are similar to those experienced in depression. The symptoms may include feeling unworthy and low and having trouble in concentrating or sleeping, and being anxious. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships. In platonic or romantic relationships your issues with attention and focus can create tension and confusion that can cause conflict. In work or school settings These issues can cause colleagues and coworkers to interpret your behavior as hostility, disinterest, or lack of commitment.
Women are better at hiding their symptoms, making it more difficult to identify depression and ADHD. They tend to alter their behavior to meet societal expectations and avoid being judged as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances they turn to unhealthy methods of coping, such as excessive alcohol and substance use, especially in the adolescent years. This can make it hard to realize that their ADHD is the cause of their problems and delay obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Within the same family, symptoms severity can differ. Certain people experience milder symptoms, and are known as high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that affect their daily lives.
There are several treatment options 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 and impulse control, as well as teach you to manage your emotions.
There are also a number medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD among adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). There are also non-stimulants available like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) and Clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will explain the benefits and dangers of these medications. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. You can use a planner to keep track of your schedule or make notes during meetings and write down reminders. You could also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.