ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD develop coping strategies to manage their symptoms. One of them is creating a daily routine and setting up phone reminders. They can also use bravado as a way to avoid social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ may become unsustainable. They could also develop comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be inattentive which makes it difficult for them to stay focused on their tasks and are more likely forget things. They can also have trouble organizing their personal and professional lives, which may affect their work performance. They may miss appointments, or fail to pay bills and can be prone to procrastination. They may have difficulty in reading or with math. These difficulties can worsen in the months prior to, during or after menopause.
Experts believe that girls and women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making 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 are often viewed by others as unacceptable particularly if they are impulsive and unorganized.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. It's important to choose a professional who is knowledgeable about the disorder and understands how it affects women. add women include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which assists patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a blend of CBT along with other therapeutic methods to improve self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy helps individuals develop skills for managing emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD typically have issues with rejection sensitivity. This is a strong emotional reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them keep relationships. This could mean that they are more likely to seek out 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 can make it difficult to fit in with others at work, at school or in other social environments. It can also be challenging for them to read body language and recognize social signals.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often have a difficult time waiting for something or feel a urgent need to complete the task. This makes it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying the bills. Women may also find it difficult to stick to their social obligations or keep their commitments. Women can also have emotional outbursts or lack in self-control.
When women are experiencing symptoms of ADHD It is essential to seek out help. Treatment can help improve their lives and increase self-esteem and confidence. Through lifestyle changes and medication, it is possible to lessen or completely eliminate the symptoms.
Sleeping enough can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. A good bedtime routine and a slowed down screen time at night and eating according to a schedule can all aid in improving sleeping habits. Women who suffer from ADHD might also benefit from a heavier quilt or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women suffering from ADHD although it's not a sign of the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating effect of untreated ADD or other underlying issues such as low self-esteem or relationship issues. Women suffering from ADD tend to be low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as women and girls similar to them. Inability to discern social cues and difficulties with social interactions can contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to get diagnosed with ADD than it is for males. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially evident during pregnancy and puberty and also during menopausal perimenopausal transition when hormones are undergoing changes.
Women are also able to hide their symptoms better than boys or men. It can be challenging to cope with the demands of society with ADHD symptoms. This can lead to stress, depression and anxiety. It may be a contributing factor to the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which is prevalent in teenagers and young women suffering from ADHD.
Impulsive
If you suffer from impulsive-type ADHD symptoms you're quick to make decisions without thinking. You can't wait to get your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt others or end their sentences. You may also find it difficult to judge the appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These behaviors can impact your ability to maintain a job or a relationship and they can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family, friends and coworkers.
Women who suffer from an impulsive ADHD have trouble controlling their emotions. This can lead to conflict in relationships as well as in the workplace. They might feel that people are critical or disrespectful because they can't keep up or focus. They may not be able to finish tasks at work or home or even lose their wallet or keys. They might be inclined to spending money on things that aren't valuable, or they could lose track of important dates or appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD are able to hide their symptoms. This is especially the case in their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them deal with the chaos that can cause them to miss appointments, forget to pay bills, or miss deadlines. It might be easier for them to manage their hyperactive ADHD symptoms at home with their friends and family than in the office.
Gender bias is one reason why women with impulsive-type ADHD are underdiagnosed. 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 It could also be a reason why a woman with an impulsive type of ADHD might not be diagnosed. People suffering from depression might have difficulty in attempting to control the impulsive behaviors that are associated with ADD. It can be difficult to treat depression when impulsive behavior is present. These impulsive behaviors may contribute to feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD experience. This can be exacerbated by a lack support from family members.
Here are a few ways to lower your risk:
Women with ADHD may experience symptoms that are similar to depression. This can include feeling depressed and depressed, having difficulty sleeping or concentrating or being anxious and easily angry. Many times, the two conditions are paired and treated by a doctor. Depression and ADD could also impact your relationships. Your inability to concentrate and pay attention can lead to confusion and frustration which can lead you to conflict. In school or at work These issues can cause coworkers and colleagues to misinterpret your behavior as insecurity, hostility, or lack of commitment.
Women are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder to diagnose depression and ADHD. They tend to alter their behavior to fit in with society expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotional. In some cases they turn to unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly in the adolescent stage. This can make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the root of their problems, and may delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can vary from individual to individual, even within the same family. Some sufferers have milder symptoms, and are known as high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that affect their daily lives.
The good news is that there are treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD which include cognitive behavior therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. These therapies can aid in improving self-regulation and impulse control, and can help you manage your emotions.
There are also a number medicines that can be prescribed to treat ADHD among adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). There are also non-stimulants available like atomoxetine (Strattera), viloxazine (Qelbree), Clonidine (Kapvay), and Guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will be able to tell you more about these drugs as well as their advantages and potential risks. They may be able to offer you suggestions on how to deal with your symptoms. For instance, you can try 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.