ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD often develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. One of them is creating a daily routine and setting up phone reminders. They may also use bravado to shield themselves from social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ may become unsustainable. They may also develop compulsive disorders, such as anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be inattentive which means they have a harder time staying focused and tend to forget things. They may also have difficulty organizing their personal and work lives, which may hinder their performance at work. They may miss appointments, not pay their bills or procrastinate. They might have difficulty understanding or completing math. These problems can get worse before, during and after menopause.
Experts believe that women and girls are more adept at concealing their symptoms, which makes it difficult 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 can be perceived by others as being less acceptable particularly if they are impulsive and chaotic.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. However, it's important to find a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder and can explain the way it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which helps patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that lead to problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a blend of CBT together with other therapies to enhance impulse control and self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy can help people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD also have a tendency to struggle with rejection sensitivity, an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection which makes it harder to keep relationships. This can result in women with ADHD being more likely than other people to engage in sexually dangerous actions, become pregnant unintentionally or seek out 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 be a part of a group at work, at school or in other social situations. It is also difficult for them to read body language and recognize social cues.
add test for women with ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel a pressing need to move on. This makes it difficult to accomplish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying bills. It can also be difficult for women to follow through on their commitments and social interactions. They may also be afflicted by emotional outbursts as well as a lack of self-control.
It is important for women with ADHD to seek help when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can help improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. With changes in lifestyle as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
Sleeping enough can help to 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 according to the schedule. Women suffering from ADHD might benefit from a weighted quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression is common for women suffering from ADHD however, it's not a sign of the condition. It can be caused by the debilitating impact of untreated ADD, or related issues such as low self-esteem or relationship issues. Women with ADD are often struggling with self-esteem as they aren't performing as well as other girls and women their age. Inability to read social cues and difficulties with social interactions can cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to get diagnosed with ADD than males. This is due to the fact that doctors often misinterpret the symptoms of ADD in women for signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly true during puberty and pregnancy and also during menopausal perimenopausal transition, when hormones are changing.
Women can also hide their symptoms better than boys or men. It can be difficult to manage the demands of society with ADHD symptoms. This can lead anxiety, depression and anxiety. It can also be a factor in the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which is a common occurrence 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 other people or end their sentences. You may also find it difficult to judge the social appropriateness or your actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to keep a relationship or a job, and can make it difficult to live up to expectations of family or friends.
Women with an impulsive ADHD have trouble controlling their emotions. This can lead to conflicts in relationships and at in the workplace. They might feel that other people are judging them or disdaining them because they are unable to focus or keep up. They might not be able to finish tasks at home or at work or lose their keys or wallet. They might be inclined to spending money on things that aren't valuable, or they may lose track of important dates or appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can conceal their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretary or cleaning services that can help them cope with the chaos that can cause them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or pay bills. They may find it easier to deal with their impulsive ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their family members than at the workplace.
Gender bias is one of the reasons women who suffer from the 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 recognized is depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD is often difficult for people suffering from depression to control, and it's difficult to manage depression when being afflicted by impulsive behavior. The impulsive behavior can contribute to feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that some women with ADD have, which may be compounded by an absence of support from family members.
Depression
Women suffering from ADHD may experience symptoms that are similar to depression. They may feel depressed and unimportant, having difficulty in concentrating or sleeping, or being irritable and easily angered. inattentive adhd in women , the two conditions are combined and treated together by a doctor. Depression and ADD could also impact your relationships. In platonic or romantic relationships your struggles with focus and attention can cause frustration and miscommunication that can cause conflict. These problems can lead to colleagues or coworkers thinking that your behavior in school or at work settings as lack of interest, commitment, or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to identify than men because women are better at masking their symptoms. They tend to alter their behavior to meet societal expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotional. In some instances they may resort to unhealthy ways to cope, like excessive alcohol consumption and use of drugs particularly during adolescence. This could make it difficult for them to understand that their ADHD is the reason for their issues, and can delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptom severity may differ. Some suffer from milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some people have severe symptoms which 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 behavioral therapy. These therapies can help improve self-regulation and impulse control. They also teach you to manage your emotions.
There are a variety of medications that are 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 provide more about these medications along with their advantages and potential risks. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. For example, you might consider using a planner and note-taking reminders and taking notes at meetings to help you stay on track. You may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.