ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often develop coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms. These may include building a daily schedule and setting reminders for phone calls. They could also resort to bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
However, their coping strategies may become ineffective. They may also develop comorbid disorders such as depression, anxiety, and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be inattentive, meaning they have a difficult time staying focused and are more likely to lose track of things. They may also have difficulty with organizing their personal and professional lives, which may affect their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, fail to pay bills, and are susceptible to procrastination. They may have trouble understanding or completing math. These problems can worsen during, before and after menopausal symptoms.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for girls and women to get diagnosed with ADHD because they are better 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). These behaviors can be perceived by others as unacceptable, especially if impulsive and unorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women suffering from ADHD to lead happy, full and satisfying lives. It is important to find a professional who is well-versed in the disorder and can explain the way it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which aids patients recognize negative thoughts and beliefs that can trigger problematic behavior. Neurocognitive psychotherapy combines CBT together with other therapies to improve self-regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy assists people learn skills for managing emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD typically have issues with rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection, whether it is 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 sexually risky actions, become pregnant unintentionally 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 hard to fit in at school, work or in other social situations. It can also be difficult for them to read body language and recognize social cues.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often have a difficult time waiting for something or feel a pressing need to complete the task. This makes it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. It can be a challenge for women to stay focused on their commitments as well as social interactions. Women may also experience emotional outbursts or lack in self-control.
When women are experiencing symptoms of ADHD It is crucial to seek out help. Treatment can help improve their lives and increase self-esteem and confidence. Through lifestyle changes, medication and therapy it is possible to lessen or completely eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's rest can reduce ADHD symptoms. A routine for bedtime, limiting the time you spend on screens at night, and eating on a regular schedule can all contribute to improved sleeping habits. A woman suffering from ADHD may also benefit from using blankets that are weighted or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women with ADHD, even though it's not a symptom of the condition. It could be the result of the debilitating consequences of untreated ADD or because of the root issues, such as low self-esteem, poor job performance, and difficulties with relationships. Women who suffer from ADD are often struggling with self-esteem because they don't perform like other women and girls their age. They have difficulty socializing and an inability to pick up on social signals can contribute to their feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be harder for women to get diagnosed with ADD than males. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially true during puberty, pregnancy and during perimenopause and menopause when hormones are changing.
It is also easier for women to hide their symptoms than for men and boys. In addition the society has many expectations for women, which can be stressful when juggling with the symptoms of ADHD. This can lead to stress, depression and anxiety. It can be a contributing factor to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which is common in teens and young women suffering from ADHD.
Impulsive
You act quickly and without thinking when you suffer from an impulsive ADHD symptoms. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak in a conversation, and you're more likely to interrupt or finish sentences of others. It can also be difficult to judge social appropriateness or your actions. These behaviors can affect your ability to keep your job or maintain a relationship and can make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family members, friends and coworkers.
Women suffering from an impulsive ADHD struggle with managing their emotions. This can lead to conflicts in relationships and at the workplace. They may feel that others are critical or disrespectful because they are unable to keep up or concentrate. They may not be able complete tasks at work or home or lose their keys or wallet. They could be at risk of spending money on things that aren't valuable, or they could forget important dates or appointments.
Some women with ADHD can conceal their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They may have assistants, secretary or cleaning services who assist them in overcoming the chaos that can cause them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or pay their bills. 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 is a reason why women suffering from impulsive-type ADHD are underdiagnosed. 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 is co-exists with ADD, can also be the reason why a woman with an impulsive type ADHD may not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior that is associated with ADD can be difficult for those suffering from depression to manage, and it can be difficult to treat the depression while struggling with an impulsive personality. inattentive add in women can contribute to feelings of self-doubt and despair that women who suffer from ADD suffer from. This can be exacerbated by a lack support from loved ones.
Here are a few of the ways to reduce your risk:
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience symptoms similar to those seen in depression. These symptoms could include feeling unworthy and low and having trouble getting enough sleep or concentrating, as well as being anxious. In many cases, the two disorders are combined and treated by a doctor. Depression and ADD can also affect your relationships with other people. In platonic or romantic relationships your issues with attention and focus could heighten frustrations and misunderstandings which can lead to conflict. These problems can lead to colleagues or coworkers not understanding your behavior in school or at work situations as a lack of interest, commitment or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to diagnose than males because women are more adept at masking their symptoms. They frequently alter their behavior to meet societal expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotional. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly in the adolescent stage. This can also make it difficult to realize that their ADHD is the cause of their problems and delay getting an accurate diagnosis.
Within the same family, symptom severity can differ. Certain people have milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily activities.
The good news is that there are treatment options available to adults with ADHD, including cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical therapy for behavior. These therapies can help improve self-regulation and impulse control. inattentive add in women teach you to manage your emotions.
In addition to that, there are a variety 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 like atomoxetine (Strattera), viloxazine (Qelbree), clonidine (Kapvay), and Guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will be able to tell you more about the benefits and dangers of these drugs. Your doctor could also provide other suggestions to help you manage your symptoms. You can use a planner to stay organized and take notes during meetings and write down reminders. You might also benefit from joining an women's ADHD support group.