ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD often develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. Some of these include creating an everyday routine and setting up phone reminders. They may also use bravado as a buffer against social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms can become unsustainable. They could also develop comorbid disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviors such as cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be unfocused which means they have a harder time staying focused and tend to forget things. They also may have issues with organizing their professional and personal lives, which may affect their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, fail to pay bills or put off paying bills. They may have trouble in math or reading. These problems can worsen during, before and after menopause.
Experts believe that women and girls are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes 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 may be viewed by others as being less acceptable especially if they are impulsive or disorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women with ADHD to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. It is important to select a provider that is familiar with the disorder and understands how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which aids patients recognize negative thoughts and beliefs that lead to problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a blend of CBT with other therapeutic practices to enhance impulse control and self-regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy assists people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improving interpersonal interactions.
Women suffering from ADHD typically have issues with rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection, whether it's real or perceived. This causes them to be unable to maintain relationships. This can lead to women with ADHD being more prone than others to engage in risky sexual behaviors, get pregnant without planning 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 can make it difficult to fit in with others at work, at school or in other social environments. They may also have difficulty learning to read bodylanguage and detect social signals.
Impatient
Women with ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to stay in a rut or are driven to move forward. This can make it difficult to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to stick to their social obligations or follow through with their commitments. They also have to deal with emotional outbursts as well as a lack of self-control.
It is important for women suffering from ADHD to seek treatment when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can make a difference in their lives and increase confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to lessen or eliminate symptoms through changes in lifestyle, therapy and medication.
Getting enough sleep can also help reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine, limiting screen time at night, and eating on a regular basis can all aid in improving sleeping habits. Women with ADHD could benefit from a weighted quilt or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression is common among women with ADHD although it's not a sign of the condition. It may occur as a result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or due to root issues, such as low self-esteem, poor work performance and difficulty with relationships. Women with ADD are often struggling with self-esteem as they do not perform as well as women of similar age. Inability to read social cues and difficulties with social interactions can also cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be more difficult for women to be diagnosed with ADD than men. This is because doctors often misinterpret the symptoms of ADD in women as signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially true during puberty and pregnancy, as well as during perimenopause or menopause as hormones change.
Women also have the ability to conceal their symptoms easier than boys or men. It can be difficult to balance the demands of society with ADHD symptoms. This can cause anxiety, depression, and anxiety. It can also contribute to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (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 don't want to wait to be the first person to speak in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt others or finish their sentences. You might also find it difficult to judge social appropriateness or your actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to maintain relationships or work and can make it hard to live up to expectations from family or friends.
Women who suffer from impulsive ADHD have a hard time managing their emotions. This can lead to conflict in relationships as well as the workplace. They may feel like others are unkind or apathetic because they are unable to keep up or concentrate. They might not be able to complete tasks at work or home, or misplace their wallet or keys. They might be inclined to spending money on things that are not valuable or forget important dates or appointments.
Some women who have ADHD are able to conceal their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They may have assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them cope with the disorder that may cause them to forget appointments, not pay bills, or miss deadlines. They may find it easier to cope with their impulsive ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their loved ones than when they're at the workplace.
Gender bias is one reason 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.
Depression, which is often caused by or coexists alongside ADD is also one of the reasons why a woman with an impulsive type ADHD might not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior that comes with ADD is often difficult for depression sufferers to control, and it's difficult to treat depression while being afflicted by an impulsive personality. Impulsive behavior can contribute towards the feelings of self-doubt, and a sense of worthlessness that some women with ADD suffer from. This can be made worse due to a lack of support from loved ones.
Depression
Women suffering from ADHD might exhibit symptoms that are similar to those seen in depression. This can include feeling depressed and worthless, having trouble in concentrating or sleeping or being anxious and easily angry. In many cases, the two disorders are combined and treated by a physician. Depression and ADD can affect your relationships with others. Inability to focus and pay attention can lead to frustrations and miscommunications that can lead to conflicts. In school or work settings, these problems can cause coworkers and colleagues to misinterpret your behavior as hostile, disinterest or lack of commitment.
adhd in women adults are more adept at hiding their symptoms, making it harder to identify depression and ADHD. They tend to alter their behavior to meet societal expectations and avoid being judged as weak or emotionally unstable. In some cases they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive drinking and substance abuse, especially during the adolescent years. This can make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is causing their issues and delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can differ from one person to another even within the same family. Some people experience milder symptoms that are called high-functioning ADHD. Some sufferers have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily life.
There are many treatment options for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive therapy (NCP), and dialectical behavior therapy. These treatments can help improve self-regulation and impulse control. They also help you manage your emotions.
Additionally to that, there are a variety of medications used to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants include atomoxetine, the clonidine and guanfacine. Your doctor can tell you more about the benefits and dangers of these drugs. Your doctor could also provide other suggestions for managing your symptoms. For instance, you can consider using an organizer and note-taking reminders and taking notes during meetings to keep your schedule organized. You may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.