ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD often develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. One of them is creating routines for their day and establishing phone reminders. They may also use bravado to shield themselves from social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms could become ineffective. They may also develop co-morbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women with ADHD are more likely to be distracted, meaning they are more difficult to stay focused and are more likely to forget things. They also may have issues organizing their professional and personal lives, which can impact their performance at work. They may miss appointments, not pay bills or delay their work. They might have difficulty understanding or completing math. These issues can get worse during, before and after menopausal symptoms.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for females and females to be 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). These behaviors are often viewed by others as unacceptable particularly if they are impulsive and chaotic.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. It is important to find a professional who is well-versed in the disorder and can explain how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which assists patients recognize negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a blend of CBT together with other therapies to enhance impulse control and self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy assists people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD also often struggle with sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection that makes it more difficult for them to maintain relationships. This can mean that they are more likely to look for romantic partners on a casual basis and 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 could make it difficult to make friends with other people at school, at work or in other social environments. They may be unable to understand body language and detect social signals.
Impatient
Women who suffer from ADHD find it hard to wait or have a desire to move forward. This can make it hard to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying the bills. Women might also have difficulty to keep their social commitments or follow through with their commitments. Women may also experience emotional outbursts or a lack in self-control.
When women are experiencing symptoms of ADHD, it is important that they seek help. Treatment can make a difference in their lives and increase confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to lessen or eliminate symptoms through lifestyle changes, therapy and medication.
A restful night's sleep can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine, limiting screen time at night, and eating according to a schedule can all contribute to improved sleeping habits. A person suffering from ADHD may benefit from a blanket that is weighted or relaxing music to help them fall asleep.
Depression is common among women suffering from ADHD, even though it's not a symptom of the condition. It could be the result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or due to root issues, such as low self-esteem, poor work performance and difficulty with relationships. Women with ADD often struggle with self-esteem because they don't perform as well as other girls and women their older. Having difficulty with social interaction and an inability to pick up on social cues can also contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be harder 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 especially evident during puberty, pregnancy and during perimenopause and menopause when hormones are changing.
Women also have the ability to conceal their symptoms easier than men or boys. In addition there are many expectations for women, which can be stressful to juggle with the symptoms of ADHD. This can lead anxiety, depression and anxiety. It can also contribute to the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal which is a common occurrence among young women and teens who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
You react quickly and without thinking when you are suffering from an impulsive ADHD symptoms. You don't want to wait for your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt others or end their sentences. You might also find it difficult to judge the social appropriateness or your actions. These actions can affect your ability to keep your job or maintain a relationship and can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family members, friends and coworkers.
adhd symptoms in women who suffer from impulsive-type ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions and this can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that people are judging or ignoring them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. They may not be able to complete tasks at work or home or lose their keys or wallet. They might be prone to spending money on things that don't provide value or forget important dates and appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD are able to conceal their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They may have secretaries, assistants or cleaning services to help them cope with the chaos that can cause them to miss appointments, forget to pay bills or fail to meet deadlines. It might be easier for them to deal with their hyperactive ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than in the office.
Gender bias is one of the reasons women with the 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 is co-exists with ADD, can also be one of the reasons for why a woman suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD might not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD is often difficult for those suffering from depression to manage, and it can be difficult to manage depression when being afflicted by impulsive behavior. Impulsive behavior can contribute to feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD suffer from. This can be exacerbated by the lack of support from loved ones.
The following are some ways to lower your risk of contracting a disease:
Women suffering from ADHD may experience symptoms that resemble depression. The symptoms may include feeling worthless and low and having trouble sleeping or concentrating, and being irritable. Many times, the two conditions are paired and treated by a doctor. Depression and ADD can also affect your relationships with others. Your inability to concentrate and pay attention can result in confusion and frustration which can lead you into conflict. In school or work settings, these problems can make colleagues and coworkers think that your behavior is a sign of hostile, disinterest or lack of commitment.
Women are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose depression and ADHD. They tend to alter their behavior to meet societal expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotionally unstable. In some cases they turn to unhealthy ways to cope, like excessive drinking and drug use especially during adolescence. This can make it difficult for them to recognize their ADHD is causing their problems and delay getting an accurate diagnosis.
Within the same family, symptom severity can differ. Some people experience milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Certain people experience severe symptoms that interfere with their daily lives.
The good news is that there are treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD that include cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. These therapies can help improve self-regulation and impulse control and teach you how to manage your emotions.
There are a variety of medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD among adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants are also available like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree), clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can provide more about these drugs as well as their advantages and potential risks. Your doctor might also offer other suggestions to help you manage your symptoms. Planners can be used to stay on top of things or make notes during meetings and record reminders. You could also benefit by joining an ADHD support group for women.