ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. This could include creating an agenda for the day and setting phone reminders. They may also use bravado as a way to avoid social isolation.
Their coping strategies could become ineffective. They may also develop comorbid conditions including anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behaviours such as cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women with ADHD are more likely to be distracted which means they are more difficult to stay focused and tend to forget things. They can also have trouble with organizing their professional and personal lives, which could affect their performance at work. They might miss appointments, not pay bills or put off paying bills. They may have difficulty reading or doing math. These problems may get worse during, before and after menopause.
Experts believe that women and girls are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to recognize 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 can be perceived by others as unacceptable especially if they are impulsive or chaotic.
The good news is that it is possible for women suffering from ADHD to live happy, full and satisfying lives. However, it's important to find a provider who is knowledgeable about the disorder and can explain 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, which is a combination of CBT and other therapeutic methods that aim to improve impulse control and self-regulation and dialectical behavior therapy, which assists patients develop the skills needed to help manage their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are often plagued with rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection, whether it's real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them to keep relationships. This can mean that they are more likely to seek out romantic partners on a casual basis, engage in sexually risky 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 fit in at work, school, or in other social situations. They might be unable to read body language and pick up social signals.
Impatient
Women with ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to stay in a rut or have a desire to move forward. This can make it hard to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning the home or paying bills. Women may also find it difficult to keep their social commitments or stick to their commitments. Women can also have emotional outbursts or lack of self-control.
It is essential for women with ADHD to seek help when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to minimize or eliminate symptoms by making lifestyle changes as well as therapy and medication.
Getting enough sleep can also help to reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine and a reduction in screen time at night, and eating on a regular basis can all aid in improving sleeping habits. Women suffering from ADHD may benefit from a weighted quilt or soothing music to aid in their sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women with ADHD however, it's not a sign of 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 with ADD often struggle with self-esteem as they aren't performing as well as women of similar older. Being unable to interact with others and an inability to recognize social cues can also contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women have a difficult when it comes to being diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially evident during pregnancy and puberty and also during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles as hormones change.
It is also easier for women to hide their symptoms than it is for boys and men. It can be challenging to balance the demands of society with ADHD symptoms. This can cause stress, depression and anxiety. It can be a factor in self-injury that is not suicide-related which is a common occurrence among teens and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
You are quick and without thinking when you are suffering from the impulsive ADHD symptoms. You're not patiently waiting to be the first person to speak in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt other people or end their sentences. You may also be unable to judge the social adequacy of your actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to maintain a relationship or a job and can make it difficult to live up to expectations from family, friends and colleagues.
Women suffering from an impulsive ADHD struggle with controlling their emotions. This can cause conflict in relationships and in the workplace. They may feel like others are critical or disrespectful because they are unable to keep up or focus. They might not be able to complete tasks at work or home or lose their keys or wallet. They could be at risk of spending money on items that aren't worth the money or forget important dates or appointments.
Some women who have ADHD are able to hide their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They might employ assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them cope with the disorganization that can cause them to miss appointments, forget to pay bills or miss deadlines. It may be easier for them to deal with their impulsive ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than in the office.
Gender bias could be one of the reasons why women suffering from the impulsive type ADHD aren't recognized as having the disorder. 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 why a woman with impulsive-type ADHD might go undiagnosed include depression, which can coexist with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior that comes with ADD can be hard for depression sufferers to control, and it's difficult to manage depression when being afflicted by the impulsive behavior. The impulsive behavior can contribute to the feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that women suffering from ADD have, which may be exacerbated by the lack of support from family members.
Here are a few of the ways to reduce your risk of contracting a disease:
Women with ADHD may experience symptoms similar to depression. This can include feeling depressed and depressed, having difficulty sleeping or concentrating or being anxious and easily angered. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD may also affect your relationships. Your inability to concentrate and pay attention can result in confusion and frustration that can lead into conflicts. These problems can lead to coworkers or colleagues not understanding your behavior in work or school settings as lack of interest, commitment or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are harder to diagnose than in men due to women being more adept at hiding their symptoms. They often change their behavior to conform to social expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotionally unstable. In some cases they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly in adolescence. This can also make it difficult to realize that their ADHD is causing their issues and delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
Within the same family, symptom severity can differ. Some sufferers have milder symptoms, and are known as high-functioning ADHD. Some people have severe symptoms which interfere with their daily activities.
The good news is that there are treatment options available to adults with ADHD, including cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical therapy for behavior. These treatments can improve self-regulation as well as impulse control and teach you to manage your emotions.
Additionally to adhd in women adult , there are a variety of drugs that 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 as well as their benefits and risks. They may also give you additional suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. For example, you might try using an organizer, writing down reminders, and taking notes at meetings to keep your schedule organized. You may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.