ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD develop strategies to disguise their symptoms. One of them is creating an everyday routine and setting up phone reminders. They could also employ bravado to ward off social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms may not be sustainable. They could also develop comorbid conditions including anxiety disorders, mood disorders and self-harming behaviours like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have the inattention subtype which makes it more difficult for them to remain focused on their tasks and more likely to forget things. They can also have trouble managing their professional and personal lives, which can impact their performance at work. They may miss appointments, fail to pay bills or delay their work. They may have difficulty reading or doing math. These difficulties can worsen before, during and after menopause.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for girls and women to be diagnosed with ADHD because they are more adept at hiding their symptoms. 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 chaotic or impulsive.
The good news is that it's possible for women with ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. But it's crucial to find a provider who is well-versed in the disorder and understands the way it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which aids patients identify negative beliefs and thoughts that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy combines CBT with other therapeutic practices to enhance impulse control and self-regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy helps people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD also have a tendency to struggle with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection that makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. This could mean that they are more likely to seek out intimate partners or 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 makes it difficult to be accepted at school, work or other social settings. It is also difficult for them to comprehend body language and recognize social signals.
Impatient
Women who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to sit still or have a desire to move forward. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. Women might also have difficulty to keep their social commitments or follow through with their commitments. They also have to deal with emotional outbursts and a inability to control their emotions.
When women are experiencing symptoms of ADHD It is essential to seek assistance. Treatment can help improve their lives and boost confidence and self-esteem. With changes in lifestyle as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to lessen or completely eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's rest can help reduce ADHD symptoms. The way you sleep can be improved with following a routine for bedtime and limiting the amount of screen time at night and eating on an established schedule. Women suffering from ADHD could also benefit from a weighted quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression, though not a symptom of ADHD, is common in women with the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating impact of untreated ADD, or related issues such as low self-esteem and relationship difficulties. Women who suffer from ADD are often struggling with self-esteem as they don't perform in the same way as other women and girls their older. Having difficulty with social interaction and a lack of ability to recognize social signals can contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be more difficult for women to get diagnosed with ADD than it is for men. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially evident during pregnancy and puberty and also during menopausal perimenopausal transition as hormones change.
It is also easier for women to hide their symptoms than for boys and men. Additionally, society has a lot of expectations for women that can be stressful to juggle with the symptoms of ADHD. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and stress. It could also play a role in self-injury that is not suicide-related which is common in young women and teens with ADHD.
Impulsive
You are quick and without thinking when you have the impulsive ADHD symptoms. You're not patiently waiting to get your turn in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt others or interrupt them in their conversation. It can also be difficult to judge appropriateness of your actions in the context of social situations. These actions can impact your ability to keep a relationship or a job and can make it hard to live up to expectations from family, friends and colleagues.
Women with impulsive type ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions and this can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They may feel that others are unkind or apathetic because they are unable to keep up or focus. They might be unable to finish their work at home or at work or even lose their keys or wallet. They may be prone towards spending money on items that aren't valuable, or they could forget important dates or appointments.
Women with ADHD are able to hide their symptoms. This is especially the case in their professional lives. They may employ assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them cope with the chaos that can make them forget appointments, not pay bills or fail to meet deadlines. It may be easier for them to deal with their impulse-driven ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than in the office.
Gender bias may be one of the reasons women with 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 that a woman with impulsive-type ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which often coexists with or is caused by ADD. see it here suffering from depression might have difficulty in attempting to control the impulsive behaviors that are associated with ADD. It is also difficult to treat depression when impulsive behavior is present. These impulsive symptoms may contribute to the feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt that some women with ADD suffer from, which can be compounded by an absence of support from loved ones.
Depression
Women with ADHD might experience symptoms similar to depression. These can include feeling low and worthless, having trouble in concentrating or sleeping or being angry and easily angered. A lot of times, these two disorders are combined and treated by a physician. Depression and ADD may also affect 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 situations as a lack of interest, commitment, or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are harder to diagnose than in males because women are more adept in hiding their symptoms. They frequently alter their behavior to fit in with society expectations and avoid being judged as weak or emotional. In some cases they turn to unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking and substance abuse, especially during the adolescent stage. This can also make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is causing their issues and delay getting an accurate diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can vary from individual to individual even within the same family. Some people experience milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Others have severe symptoms that hinder their lives.
There are several treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive therapy (NCP), and dialectical behavior therapy. These treatments can help improve self-regulation and impulse control and teach you how to manage your emotions.
There are also a variety of medicines that can be prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants include atomoxetine, viloxazine, clonidine, and guanfacine. Your doctor can explain the benefits and dangers of these drugs. Your doctor could also provide other suggestions for managing your symptoms. For instance, you could consider using an organizer or notepad to record reminders, and taking notes at meetings to help you stay on track. You might also benefit from joining a women's ADHD support group.