ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms. These may include building an everyday schedule and setting reminders on their phones. They can also use bravado as a way to avoid social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms may become unsustainable. They may also develop co-morbid disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be unfocused, meaning they have a difficult time staying focused and are more likely to lose track of things. They can also have trouble with organizing their professional and personal lives, which may affect their work performance. They might miss appointments, or fail to pay their bills and may be susceptible to procrastination. They might have difficulty understanding or completing math. These problems can worsen when, prior to and after menopause.
Many experts believe that it is more difficult for women and girls to get 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). Those behaviors can be perceived as being less acceptable to society, especially if they are unorganized or impulsive.
The good news is that it's possible for women with ADHD to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. It's important to choose a provider that is familiar with the disorder and knows how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that can cause them to engage in problematic behaviors neurocognitive psychotherapy, a combination of CBT and other therapies that aim to enhance self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavioral therapy, which helps patients develop the skills needed to help them manage emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD also have a tendency to struggle with rejection sensitivity, an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection that makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. This can mean that they are more likely to pursue romantic partners on a casual basis or engage in risky sexual behaviors or have unplanned pregnancies.
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 be accepted at school, work or other social settings. They may be unable to understand body language and recognize social cues.
Impatient
Women with ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to wait or feel the need to move forward. This can make it difficult to finish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. Women may also find it difficult to fulfill their social obligations or keep their commitments. They can also struggle with emotional outbursts and lack of self-control.
It is important for women with ADHD to seek assistance when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to reduce or eliminate symptoms through lifestyle changes treatment, therapy and medications.
A good night's rest can reduce ADHD symptoms. A routine for bedtime and a slowed down screen time at night, and eating on a regular schedule can all contribute to improved sleeping habits. Women with ADHD might also benefit from a heavier quilt or soothing music to aid in their sleep.
Depression, although not an indicator of ADHD is quite common among women with the condition. It can be caused by the debilitating effect of untreated ADD, or underlying issues such as low self-esteem and relationship difficulties. Women suffering from ADD are usually lacking self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as women and girls similar to them. Being unable to interact with others and a lack of ability to detect social cues can also cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women may have a tougher time getting diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is particularly relevant during pregnancy and puberty and also during perimenopause or menopause as hormones change.
Women also have the ability to conceal their symptoms better than men or boys. It can be difficult to balance the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can cause anxiety, depression, and stress. It can be a factor in the development non-suicidal-self-injury which is a common occurrence in young women and teens who have ADHD.
Impulsive
You react quickly and without thinking when you are suffering from impulsive ADHD symptoms. You're not able to wait for your turn to speak during the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or end other people's sentences. adhd in women adults are also unable to judge the social adequacy of your actions. These actions can affect your ability to maintain a job or a relationship and they can make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family members, friends and coworkers.
Women with hyperactive ADHD have trouble managing their emotions. This can cause conflict in relationships and in the workplace. They may feel that others are judging or ignoring them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. They may not be able to finish tasks at work or home or even lose their wallet or keys. They may be prone towards spending money on items that are not valuable or lose track of important dates or appointments.
Some women with ADHD are able to hide their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. adhd in women adult might employ assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them cope with the chaos that can cause them to forget appointments, pay bills or fail to meet deadlines. They may find it easier to cope with their impulsive ADHD symptoms when they're at home with their family members than at the workplace.
Gender bias is among the reasons 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 It could also be the reason for why a woman suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD might not be diagnosed. Patients suffering from depression might have difficulty in attempting to manage the impulsive behavior that are associated with ADD. adhd in women adults can also be difficult to treat depression when impulsive behaviour is present. Impulsive behavior can contribute towards the feelings of self-doubt and despair that women who suffer from ADD feel. This can be exacerbated by the lack of support from loved ones.
Here are a few of the ways you can reduce your risk of contracting a disease:
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience symptoms similar to depression. The symptoms may include feeling worthless and low, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating, as well as being anxious. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD can affect your relationships with other people. Inability to focus and pay attention can cause frustrations and misunderstandings that can lead into conflicts. In school or at work such issues could cause colleagues and coworkers to misinterpret your behavior as hostile, disinterest or lack of commitment.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to identify than men because women are better 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 turn to unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly during the adolescent years. This could make it difficult for them to understand that their ADHD is the reason for their problems, and delay getting a correct diagnosis.
Within the same family, symptoms severity can vary. Some people experience milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some have severe symptoms that affect their lives.
There are a variety of treatment options for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive therapy (NCP) and dialectical behavior therapy. These treatments can aid in improving self-regulation and impulse control and teach you how to manage your emotions.
In addition to that, there are a variety of medications that are used to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants include atomoxetine, Clonidine, and Guanfacine. Your doctor can provide more about these medications, including their benefits and dangers. They may be able to offer you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. For example, you might use an organizer and note-taking reminders and taking notes at meetings to help you stay organized. You may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.