ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD often develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. Some of these include creating an everyday 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 may also experience compulsive disorders, such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be unfocused and have a harder time staying focused and tend to forget things. They also may have issues managing their personal and professional lives, which can impact their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, fail to pay bills or delay their work. They might have trouble 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 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). Those behaviors can be perceived as being less acceptable to society particularly if they're unorganized or impulsive.
The good news is that it's possible for women suffering from ADHD to live happy, full and satisfying lives. It is important to find a provider who is well-versed in the disorder and can explain the way it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which assists patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that lead to problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a combination of CBT together with other therapies to improve self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy can help individuals develop skills for managing emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women suffering from ADHD typically have issues with rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection whether real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them keep relationships. This means that they are more likely to seek out intimate partners and engage in sexually risky behavior 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 could make it difficult to be a part of a group at school, at work or in other social environments. They may also find it difficult to read bodylanguage and pick up social signals.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often find it difficult to wait for something or feel a pressing need to get moving. This can make it hard to finish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the home or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to fulfill their social obligations or stick to their commitments. They also have to deal with emotional outbursts as well as a inability to control their emotions.
It is important for women suffering from ADHD to seek treatment when they are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and increase their confidence and self-esteem. With changes in lifestyle as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to reduce or completely eliminate the symptoms.
A restful night's sleep can reduce ADHD symptoms. A good bedtime routine, limiting screen time at night, and eating on a regular basis can all help improve sleeping habits. Women suffering from ADHD could benefit from a weighted quilt or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression, while not an indication of ADHD is quite common among women who have the condition. It could be the result of the debilitating consequences of untreated ADD or due to root causes like low self-esteem, poor work performance, and difficulties with relationships. Women with ADD frequently struggle with self-esteem as they aren't performing like women of similar age. Being unable to interact with others and an inability to pick up on social cues can also contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to be diagnosed with ADD than it is for males. This is because doctors often mistake the symptoms of ADD in women as 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. Additionally the society has a lot of expectations for women, which can be difficult to manage with the symptoms of ADHD. This can cause anxiety, depression and anxiety. It may also contribute to the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal which is a common occurrence among teens and young women who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
If you suffer from impulsive-type ADHD symptoms You're quick to react without thinking. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak during a conversation, and you're more likely to interrupt or finish other people's sentences. You also have difficulty judging the appropriateness of your social actions. These actions can affect your ability to maintain your job or maintain a relationship and make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family, colleagues and friends.
Women with impulsive ADHD struggle with controlling their emotions. This can cause conflicts in relationships and at the workplace. They may feel that others are judging them or disdaining them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. They may not be able to finish tasks at work or home or lose their wallet or keys. They could be at risk of spending money on items that aren't worth the money or they could lose track of important dates or appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can hide their symptoms. This is particularly relevant to their professional lives. They may have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services that can assist them in overcoming the disorder that can lead them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or even pay bills. They may be able to deal with their impulsive ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their loved ones than when they're at the workplace.
Gender bias could be one of the reasons women who suffer from an impulsive type of ADHD are not 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 women with impulsive-type ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which often coexists with or is caused by ADD. Depression sufferers may find it difficult to manage the impulsive behavior that are associated with ADD. It can be difficult to deal with depression when impulsive behavior is present. The impulsive behavior can contribute to the feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that women suffering from ADD have, which may be exacerbated by a lack of support from loved ones.
The following are some of the ways to reduce your risk:
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience symptoms that are similar to those experienced in depression. This can include feeling depressed and worthless, having trouble getting enough sleep or concentrating or being angry and easily angry. Doctors often combine the two disorders and treat them in conjunction. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships. In romantic or platonic partnerships, your trouble with attention and focus can cause frustration and miscommunication that can cause 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 can be harder to diagnose than in males because women are more adept in hiding their symptoms. They change their behavior to comply with social norms and avoid being seen as fragile or emotionally unstable. In some cases they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly during the adolescent stage. This makes it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the reason for their problems, and delay getting a diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from person to person, even within the same family. Certain people experience milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Others have severe symptoms that hinder their daily activities.
The good news is that there are treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD which include cognitive behavior therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. These therapies can help improve self-regulation and impulse control, and can help you manage your emotions.
There are also 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 include atomoxetine, clonidine, and guanfacine. Your doctor can explain the benefits and dangers of these drugs. They might be able to offer you additional suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. For signs of add in adult women , you can consider using a planner or notepad to record reminders, and taking notes at meetings to keep your schedule organized. You could also benefit by joining an ADHD support group for women.