ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD develop strategies to disguise their symptoms. These include establishing an everyday schedule and setting reminders for phone calls. They may also use bravado as a way to avoid social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms may become ineffective. They could also develop co-occurring conditions like anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women suffering from ADHD tend to be inattentive which makes it more difficult for them to remain focused on their tasks and more likely to forget things. They may also have difficulty organizing their personal and work lives, which could impact their work performance. They might miss appointments, not pay bills and can be inclined to delay their work. They may have difficulty understanding or completing math. These issues can become more difficult prior to, during and after menopause.
Experts believe that girls and women are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to identify 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 may be viewed by others as unacceptable, especially if impulsive and unorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women suffering from ADHD to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. It's important to choose a professional who is well-versed in the disorder and how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps patients recognize negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors; neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is a combination of CBT and other therapies that aim to enhance self-regulation and impulse control; and dialectical behavior therapy, which assists patients develop the skills needed to help manage their emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD often have a problem 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 maintain relationships. This could mean that they are more likely to look for casual sexual partners or engage in sexually risky behaviors or even have unplanned pregnancy.
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 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 with ADHD often find it difficult to wait for something or feel the urgent need to get moving. This makes it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. It can be a challenge for women to stay focused on their commitments and social interactions. Women may also experience emotional outbursts or lack in self-control.
When women are experiencing symptoms of ADHD It is crucial to seek assistance. Treatment can help improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. With changes in lifestyle as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to decrease or completely eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's sleep can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine and a reduction in the time you spend on screens at night, and eating according to a schedule can all help improve sleeping habits. A person suffering from ADHD may also benefit from using a weighted blanket or calming music to help them fall asleep.
Depression, while not an indicator of ADHD is quite common among women who suffer from the condition. It can be caused by the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or underlying issues such as low self-esteem or relationship issues. Women who suffer from ADD frequently struggle with self-esteem since they aren't performing as well as other girls and women their older. Inability to recognize social cues and difficulties in social interactions may cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to get diagnosed with ADD than males. This is because doctors often mistake the symptoms of ADD in women for signs that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially true during puberty and pregnancy and also during perimenopause or menopause as hormones change.
Women can also hide their symptoms more easily than boys or men. It can be challenging to cope with the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can cause stress, depression and anxiety. It can also be a factor in the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which is common in teens and young women who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
You act quickly and without thinking when you suffer from impulsive ADHD symptoms. You aren't able to wait for your turn to speak in conversations, and you're more likely to interrupt or finish sentences of others. You might also find it difficult to determine the social appropriateness or your actions. These actions can affect your ability to maintain a job or a relationship and make it difficult to meet the expectations of family, colleagues and friends.
Women who suffer from impulsive-type ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions, which can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They may feel that others are unkind or apathetic because they are unable to keep up or focus. They may not be able to finish tasks at work or home or even lose their keys or wallet. They could be prone to spending money on things that do not bring value or forget important dates and appointments.
Women with ADHD are able to hide their symptoms. This is especially the case in their professional lives. They might employ assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them cope with the disorder that may cause them to forget appointments, not pay bills, or miss deadlines. They may find it easier to deal with their impulsive ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their loved ones than in the workplace.
Gender bias is among the reasons why women with 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.
treatment for adhd in women , which is often caused by or coexists with ADD It could also be a reason for why a woman suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD might not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior that comes with ADD can be hard for depression sufferers to manage, and it can be difficult to treat the depression while being afflicted by an impulsive personality. The impulsive behavior can contribute to the feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that women suffering from ADD have, which may be compounded by a lack of support from loved ones.
Depression
Women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit symptoms that are similar to depression. These symptoms can include feeling worthless and low and having trouble in concentrating or sleeping, and being irritable. Doctors often combine both conditions and treat them both. Depression and ADD can affect your relationships with other people. Your inability to concentrate and pay attention can cause frustrations and misunderstandings that can lead into conflict. In school or work settings These issues can make colleagues and coworkers interpret your behavior as hostile, disinterest or lack of commitment.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to identify than males because women are more adept at hiding their symptoms. They change their behavior in order to meet social expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some cases they may resort to unhealthy ways to cope, like excessive alcohol consumption and use of drugs especially during adolescence. This can make it difficult for them to realize that their ADHD is the cause of their problems, and delay getting a correct diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can vary from individual to individual, even within the same family. Certain people have milder symptoms that are called high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that affect their daily activities.
The good news is that there are treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD that include cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. These therapies can improve self-regulation and impulse control, as well as teach you to manage your emotions.
There are a variety of medicines that can be prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). There are also non-stimulants available such as atomoxetine (Strattera) viloxazine (Qelbree) as well as clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will be able to provide more information about the benefits and risks of these medications. They might also give you suggestions on how to deal with your symptoms. Planners can be used to keep track of your schedule and take notes during meetings and write down reminders. You may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.