ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD frequently develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. Some of these include creating an everyday routine and establishing phone reminders. They could also resort to bravado to shield themselves from social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms may become unsustainable. They could also develop co-occurring conditions like mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be inattentive, meaning they are more difficult to stay focused and are more likely to lose track of things. They may also have trouble managing their work and personal lives, which may affect their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, not pay their bills or procrastinate. They might have trouble in reading or with math. These problems can get worse in the months prior to, during or after menopausal changes.
Many experts believe that it is more difficult for females and females to get diagnosed with ADHD because they are better in 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). Those behaviors can be perceived as unsocially acceptable particularly if they're impulsive or disorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women with ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. It is essential to select a professional who is well-versed in the disorder and understands how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is a combination of CBT and other therapeutic methods that are designed to enhance self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavior therapy, which helps people learn skills to help them manage emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD also have a tendency to struggle with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional response to real or perceived rejection that makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. This can result in women with ADHD being more prone than other women to engage in risky sexual 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 can make it difficult to make friends at work, school or in other social situations. They may also find it difficult to understand body language and detect social signals.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD find it hard to stay in a rut or have a desire to move forward. This can make it difficult to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying bills. It may also be challenging for women to keep up on their commitments and social activities. Women can also have emotional outbursts or lack in self-control.
If a woman is experiencing symptoms of ADHD, it is important that they seek help. Treatment can improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. Through lifestyle changes, medication and therapy it is possible to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
Getting enough sleep 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. A person suffering from ADHD can benefit from blankets that are weighted or soothing music to help them fall asleep.
Depression is a common occurrence for women suffering from ADHD however, it's not a symptom of the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or due to root causes like low self-esteem, poor work performance and difficulty with relationships. Women suffering from ADD are often insecure about their self-esteem because of their inability to perform well as girls and women of the same age. Inability to discern social cues and difficulty in social interactions may contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to be diagnosed with ADD than males. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially evident during pregnancy and puberty and also during perimenopause or menopause as hormones change.
It is also easier for women to conceal their symptoms than for boys and men. In addition there are many expectations for women that can be stressful to juggle with symptoms of ADHD. This can cause anxiety, depression, and stress. It may also be a factor in the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which is a common occurrence in teens and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
You act quickly and without thinking when you suffer from impulsive ADHD symptoms. You can't wait to be the first person to speak in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt other people or end their sentences. You also have difficulty judging the social adequacy of your actions. These actions can impact your ability to keep relationships or even a job and can make it hard to live up to expectations of family, friends and colleagues.
Women suffering from hyperactive ADHD have a hard time managing their emotions. This can lead to conflict in relationships and the workplace. They might feel that people are critical or disrespectful because they can't keep up or concentrate. They might not be able to complete tasks at work or home, or misplace their wallet or keys. adhd in women symptoms might be inclined to spending money on things that are not valuable or they could lose track of important dates or appointments.
Women with ADHD are able to hide their symptoms. This is particularly relevant to their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them cope with the disorganization that can make them 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 family members than at the workplace.
Gender bias is a reason why 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.
Depression, which is typically caused by or coexists alongside ADD is also one of the reasons why a woman with an impulsive type ADHD may not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior that comes with ADD can be hard for depression sufferers to manage, and it's a challenge to treat depression while struggling with an impulsive personality. Those impulsive behaviors can also contribute to feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that some women with ADD experience. This can be made worse by a lack support from family members.
Depression
Women with ADHD may experience symptoms that are similar to those seen in depression. They may feel depressed and depressed, having difficulty in concentrating or sleeping or being anxious and easily angered. In many cases, the two conditions are combined and treated by a physician. Depression and ADD may also affect your relationships. Your inability to focus and pay attention can cause confusion and frustration that can lead into conflicts. These issues can result in coworkers or colleagues not understanding your behaviour in school or work settings as a lack of interest, commitment, or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to identify than men because women are better in hiding their symptoms. They change their behavior to conform to social expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some cases, they resort to unhealthy methods to cope, such as excessive drinking and drug use, especially in the adolescent years. This makes it difficult for them to understand that their ADHD is the reason for their issues, and can delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can differ from one person to another even within the same family. Some sufferers have milder symptoms, which are known as high-functioning ADHD. Some have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily activities.
There are a variety of treatment options available for adults suffering from ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive therapy (NCP), and dialectical behavior therapy. These treatments can help improve self-regulation and impulse control, and can teach you how 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). Non-stimulants include atomoxetine, viloxazine, Clonidine, and Guanfacine. Your doctor will provide more information about the advantages and risks of these medications. Your doctor might also offer other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. For instance, you could consider using an organizer or notepad to record reminders, and taking notes at meetings to help you stay on track. You could also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.