ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD often develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. These include establishing an everyday schedule and setting reminders for phone calls. They may also use bravado as a buffer against social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms could become unsustainable. They may also develop comorbid disorders like anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have the inattentive subtype which makes it difficult for them to remain focused on their work and are more likely to forget things. They may also have trouble organizing their personal and work lives, which may affect their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, fail to pay bills or put off paying bills. They might have difficulty reading or doing math. These problems may get worse when, prior to and after menopausal changes.
Experts believe that women and girls are more adept at concealing their symptoms, which makes it harder to diagnose 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 could be viewed as unsocially acceptable particularly if they're chaotic or impulsive.
It is possible for women with ADHD to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. adult add women is important to select an expert who is familiar with the disorder and understands how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients identify negative beliefs and thoughts that can lead to problematic behaviors neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is a blend of CBT and other therapeutic methods that are designed to improve impulse control and self-regulation and dialectical behavior therapy, which helps people learn skills to assist them in managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are also often afflicted with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection which makes it harder for them to keep relationships going. This can result in women with ADHD being more prone than other women to engage in risky sexual behaviors, get pregnant without planning or seek out 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 could make it difficult to be a part of a group at work, at school or in other social environments. It is also difficult for them to read body language and pick up on social signals.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to wait for something or feel a urgent need to get moving. This can make it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. It may also be challenging for women to keep up on their commitments and social activities. They may also be afflicted by emotional outbursts and a lack of self-control.
It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to seek treatment when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can make a difference in their lives and increase confidence and self-esteem. With changes in lifestyle and medication, it is possible to lessen or eliminate the symptoms.
Sleeping enough can help reduce ADHD symptoms. The way you sleep can be improved by having a regular bedtime routine by limiting screen time at night and eating on an established schedule. Women suffering from ADHD might also benefit from a weighted quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression is common among women suffering from ADHD, even though it's not a sign of the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating impact of untreated ADD or other underlying issues such as low self-esteem and relationships issues. Women with ADD frequently struggle with self-esteem since they don't perform like other women and girls their age. Inability to recognize social cues and difficulty in social interactions may cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to be diagnosed with ADD than males. This is because doctors often misinterpret the symptoms of ADD in women as signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially relevant during pregnancy and puberty, as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transition when hormones are undergoing changes.
It is also more easy for women to conceal their symptoms than it is for males and males. In addition, society has a lot of expectations for women that can be difficult to manage with symptoms of ADHD. This can lead to anxiety, depression and stress. It could also contribute to the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which is common in teens and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
If you suffer from impulsive-type ADHD symptoms, you're quick to act without thinking. You're not able to wait for your turn to speak in a conversation, and you're more likely to interrupt or finish other people's sentences. It can also be difficult to judge appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These actions can impact your ability to maintain relationships or even a job and make it hard to meet the expectations of family friends, colleagues and other family members.
Women with an impulsive ADHD struggle with managing their emotions. This can cause conflict in relationships and the workplace. They may feel that others are critical or disrespectful because they're unable to keep pace or focus. They may not be able complete tasks at home or at work or lose their wallet or keys. They might be inclined to spending money on items that are not valuable or they may forget important dates or appointments.
Some women with ADHD are able to hide their symptoms. This is especially relevant to their professional lives. They might employ assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them deal with the disorganization that can cause them to forget appointments, pay bills or fail to meet 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 may be one of the reasons women with 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.
Depression, which is typically caused by or coexists alongside ADD It could also be one of the reasons why a woman suffering from an impulsive type ADHD may not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior that comes with ADD is often difficult for those suffering from depression to manage, and it's a challenge to treat the depression while dealing with impulsive behavior. The impulsive behavior can contribute to the feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that some women with ADD have, which can be compounded by the lack of support from loved ones.
Here are a few ways to lower your risk:
Women suffering from ADHD may experience symptoms similar to those seen in depression. These can include feeling low and unimportant, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating or being anxious and easily angry. Doctors often combine both conditions and treat them both. Depression and ADD can affect your relationships with others. Your inability to concentrate and pay attention can lead to frustrations and misunderstandings which can lead you to conflict. These issues can lead to coworkers or colleagues not understanding your behavior in school or at work settings as lack of commitment, disinterest or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to diagnose than men due to women being more adept in hiding their symptoms. They tend to alter their behavior to conform to social expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotional. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking and substance abuse, especially during the adolescent years. This can make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the root of their problems, and may delay getting a diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can differ from person to person even within the same family. Certain people have milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some sufferers have severe symptoms which interfere with their daily activities.
There are several treatment options for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as neurocognitive therapy (NCP), and dialectical behavior therapy. adhd in women adults can help improve self-regulation, impulse control, and help you manage your emotions.
Additionally, there are a number of drugs that treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants are also available such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree), Clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can provide more about these drugs as well as their benefits and risks. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for managing your symptoms. Planners can be used to stay on top of things, or take notes during meetings and write down reminders. You may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.