ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD often develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms. These may include building an everyday schedule and setting reminders for phone calls. They can also make use of bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms could become unsustainable. They may also develop comorbid disorders like mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be inattentive and have a difficult time staying focused and are more likely to forget things. They may also have trouble managing their work and personal lives, which can affect their performance at work. They might miss appointments, fail to pay their bills and may be susceptible to procrastination. They might have trouble understanding or completing math. These problems may get worse during, before and after menopause.
Experts believe that girls and women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, which makes it harder 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 may be viewed by others as unacceptable particularly if they are impulsive and unorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women with ADHD to lead happy, full and satisfying lives. But it's crucial to find a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder and understands the way it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps patients recognize negative thoughts and beliefs that lead to problematic behaviors; neurocognitive psychotherapy, a combination of CBT and other therapeutic practices designed to enhance self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavior therapy, which helps people learn skills to help manage their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD are also often afflicted with sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection that makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. This can result in women with ADHD being more likely than other people 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 be a part of a group at work, at school or in other social situations. It can also be difficult for them to read body language and recognize social cues.
Impatient
Women who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to wait or feel the need to move forward. This makes it difficult to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. It may also be challenging for women to follow through on their commitments as well as social interactions. They also have to deal with emotional outbursts and lack of self-control.
If a woman is experiencing symptoms of ADHD, it is important to seek assistance. Treatment can improve their lives and boost their confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to reduce or eliminate symptoms by making lifestyle changes as well as therapy and medication.
A good night's sleep can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine, limiting screen time at night, and eating on a regular basis can all aid in improving sleeping habits. Women with ADHD may benefit from a weighted quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women with ADHD although it's not a sign of the condition. It can be caused by the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or other underlying issues such as low self-esteem and relationships issues. Women with ADD often struggle with self-esteem as they aren't performing like women of similar age. Inability to read social cues and difficulties with social interactions can also cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to be diagnosed with ADD than men. This is due to the fact that doctors often misinterpret the symptoms of ADD in women for signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially true during puberty, pregnancy as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transitions when hormones are undergoing changes.
Women also have the ability to conceal their symptoms easier than men or boys. It can be difficult to manage the demands of society and ADHD symptoms. This can cause anxiety, depression, and anxiety. It could also contribute to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which is prevalent in teenagers and young women suffering from ADHD.
Impulsive
You are quick and without thinking when you have an impulsive ADHD symptoms. You don't want to wait to get your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt other people or end their sentences. It can also be difficult to judge social appropriateness or your actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to keep relationships or even a job, and can make it difficult to live up to expectations of family, friends and colleagues.
Women with an impulsive ADHD have trouble controlling their emotions. This can cause conflict in relationships as well as the workplace. They might feel that people are judging them or are disrespectful because they're unable to keep pace or concentrate. They might not be able to complete tasks at home or at work or lose their keys or wallet. They may be prone towards spending money on things that are not valuable or lose track of important dates or appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can hide their symptoms. This is especially true in their professional lives. They might have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services who help them cope with the chaos that can cause them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or pay bills. It might be easier for them to manage their impulse-driven ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than in the office.
Gender bias is one of the reasons women who suffer 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.
Other reasons why women suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD may not be recognized is depression, which can coexist with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior that comes with ADD can be difficult for people suffering from depression to manage, and it can be difficult to treat the depression while being afflicted by impulsive behavior. Those impulsive symptoms can also cause feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that some women with ADD suffer from, which can be compounded by the lack of support from family members.
Here are a few ways to lower your risk of contracting a disease:
Women suffering from ADHD might exhibit symptoms similar to those seen in depression. These can include feeling low and depressed, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating, or being irritable and easily angry. Doctors often combine both conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD could also impact your relationships. In platonic or romantic relationships your struggles with attention and focus can heighten frustrations and misunderstandings that may lead to conflict. More hints can lead to coworkers or colleagues thinking that your behavior in work or school situations as a lack of interest, commitment or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women can be harder to diagnose than in men due to women being more adept in hiding their symptoms. They change their behavior in order to conform to social expectations and avoid being seen as fragile or emotionally unstable. In some cases they turn to unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly in the adolescent stage. This can make it difficult for them to understand that their ADHD is the cause of their issues, and can delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can differ from person to person, even within the same family. Certain people have milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that hinder their daily lives.
There are a variety of treatment options available for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive therapy (NCP), and dialectical behavior therapy. These therapies can help improve self-regulation and impulse control, as well as teach you to manage your emotions.
In addition there are a myriad of medications used to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants are also available, including atomoxetine (Strattera) viloxazine (Qelbree) as well as Clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can provide more about these drugs as well as their benefits and risks. They may also give you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. For instance, you can use a planner or notepad to record reminders, and taking notes during meetings to keep your schedule organized. You might also benefit from joining an women's ADHD support group.