ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD often develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. One of them is creating an everyday routine and setting up phone reminders. They could also resort to bravado to protect themselves from social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms may not be sustainable. They could also develop compulsive disorders, such as mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be distracted, meaning they have a harder time staying focused and are more likely to forget things. They may also have difficulties organizing their personal and work lives, which could hinder their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, fail to pay bills, and are susceptible to procrastination. They might have difficulty understanding or completing math. These problems can get worse in the months prior to, during or after menopause.
Experts believe that women and girls are better at hiding their symptoms, making 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 impulsive or disorganized.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to live full, happy and fulfilled lives. It is essential to select an expert who is knowledgeable about the disorder and how it affects women. There are a variety of treatment options, including cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists patients identify negative beliefs and thoughts that can lead to problematic behaviors; neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is a combination of CBT and other therapeutic methods that aim to improve impulse control and self-regulation and dialectical behavioral therapy, which assists people learn skills to assist them in managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women suffering from ADHD typically have issues with sensitivity to rejection. This is a strong emotional reaction to rejection whether real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. This can result in women with ADHD being more likely than other women to engage in sexually dangerous behavior, have unplanned pregnancy 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 could make it difficult to fit in with others at work, at school or in other social settings. They might also have difficulty learning to read bodylanguage and detect social cues.
Impatient
Women who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to stay in a rut or have a desire to move forward. 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 may also experience emotional outbursts or lack in self-control.
When women experience symptoms of ADHD It is essential to seek assistance. Treatment can improve their lives and boost self-esteem and confidence. With lifestyle changes and medication, it is possible to lessen or completely eliminate the symptoms.
Sleeping enough can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. A routine for bedtime, limiting the time you spend on screens at night, and eating on a regular schedule can all aid in improving sleeping habits. A woman with ADHD may benefit from a blanket that is weighted or relaxing music to help them fall asleep.
Depression, though not a symptom of ADHD, is common in women who suffer from the condition. It may occur as a result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or due to underlying issues like low self-esteem, poor job performance, and difficulties with relationships. Women who suffer from ADD tend to be insecure about their self-esteem because of their inability to perform well as women and girls similar to them. Inability to discern social signals and have difficulty with social interactions can also cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be more difficult for women to be diagnosed with ADD than men. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is particularly relevant during pregnancy and puberty, as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transition, when hormones are changing.
Women also have the ability to conceal their symptoms better than men or boys. In addition the society has many expectations for women that can be stressful to juggle with symptoms of ADHD. This can lead to stress, depression and anxiety. It may also be a factor in 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 are suffering from the impulsive ADHD symptoms. add symptoms in women 're not patiently waiting to get your turn in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt others or end their sentences. You might also find it difficult to determine the appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These behaviors can impact your ability to maintain a job or a relationship and can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family members, colleagues and friends.
Women with impulsive-type ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions and this can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They may feel that others are critical or disrespectful because they are unable to keep up or concentrate. They may be unable to finish their work at home or at work or lose their keys or wallet. They might be prone to spending money on things that don't provide value or forget important dates and appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can conceal their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They may have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services who help them deal with the chaos that can cause them to miss deadlines, forget appointments or pay their bills. They might find it easier to cope with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their loved ones than when they're at the workplace.
Gender bias is one of the reasons why women suffering 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 that women with impulsive-type ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. Patients suffering from depression may have difficulty attempting to manage the impulsive behavior that are characteristic of ADD. It is also difficult to treat depression when impulsive behaviour is present. These impulsive symptoms may cause feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that some women with ADD have, which may be exacerbated by an absence of support from loved ones.
Depression
Women suffering from ADHD may exhibit symptoms that are similar to depression. These symptoms can include feeling unworthy and low, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating, as well as being irritable. Doctors often combine both disorders and treat them in conjunction. Depression and ADD may also affect your relationships. Inability to focus and pay attention can result in frustrations and miscommunications which can lead you to conflict. In school or at work such issues could cause colleagues and coworkers to think that your behavior is a sign of hostility, disinterest, or lack of commitment.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, which makes it harder to recognize depression and ADHD. They change their behavior in order to meet social expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking and drug abuse, particularly during the adolescent years. This can also make it difficult to realize that their ADHD is causing their issues and delay obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptom severity may differ. Some sufferers have milder symptoms, and are known as high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that interfere with their daily lives.
The good news is that there are treatment options available to adults with ADHD that include cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. These therapies can help improve self-regulation and impulse control and help you 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). add in adult women -stimulants include atomoxetine, viloxazine, Clonidine, and Guanfacine. Your doctor can tell you more about the advantages and risks of these medications. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. For example, you might consider using an organizer or notepad to record reminders, and taking notes at meetings to keep your schedule organized. You could also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.