ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often develop coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms. Some of these include creating an everyday routine and setting up phone reminders. They could also employ bravado as a buffer against social isolation.
Their coping strategies may become unsustainable. They may also develop compulsive disorders, such as anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behaviours 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 can also have trouble with organizing their professional and personal lives, which could affect their work performance. They might miss appointments, not pay bills or delay their work. They might have trouble in reading or with math. These problems can worsen during, before and after menopausal changes.
Many experts believe that it is more difficult for females and females to get 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). These behaviors could be viewed as unsocially acceptable particularly if they're chaotic or impulsive.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to live full, happy and fulfilled lives. But it's crucial to find a professional who is knowledgeable about the disorder and can explain how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which assists patients identify 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 can help people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improving interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are also often afflicted with rejection sensitivity, an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection that makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. This could mean that they are more likely to pursue casual sexual partners and engage in risky sexual behaviors 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 can make it hard to be accepted at school, work or other social settings. They might also have difficulty learning to read body language and recognize social signals.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel the urgent need to complete the task. This can make it hard to finish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the home 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 be lacking of self-control.
It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to seek assistance when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and boost self-esteem and confidence. Through lifestyle changes, medication and therapy it is possible to lessen or eliminate the symptoms.
Getting enough sleep can also aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. The way you sleep can be improved with a good bedtime routine, limiting the amount of screen time at night, and eating according to the schedule. Women suffering from ADHD might also benefit from a weighted quilt or soothing music to aid in their sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women suffering from ADHD however, it's not a sign of the condition. online can be caused by the debilitating effects of untreated ADD, or deeper issues like low self-esteem and relationships issues. Women with ADD tend to be insecure about their self-esteem because of their inability to perform well as girls and women who are the same age. They have difficulty socializing and being unable to detect social cues can also cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be harder for women to get diagnosed with ADD than men. This is because doctors often make the mistake of interpreting the symptoms of ADD in women for signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially relevant during pregnancy and puberty as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transition when hormones are undergoing changes.
Women are also able to hide their symptoms easier than boys or men. It can be challenging to manage the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can lead depression, stress, and anxiety. It may be a contributing factor to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which is common in teens and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
You are quick and without thinking when you have an impulsive ADHD symptoms. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak in the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or end sentences of others. You also have difficulty judging the appropriateness of your social actions. These actions can affect your ability to keep a job or a relationship and they can make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family, colleagues and friends.
Women with impulsive ADHD struggle with controlling their emotions. This can lead to conflict in relationships and the workplace. They may feel that others are judging them or are disrespectful because they are unable to keep up or focus. They might be unable to finish their work at work or at home, or they might misplace their wallet or keys. They could be prone to spending money on items that don't bring value or forget important dates and appointments.
Some women who have ADHD are able to hide their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them cope with the disorganization that can make them miss appointments, forget to pay bills or miss deadlines. It could be easier for them to manage their hyperactive ADHD symptoms at home with their friends and family than in the office.
Gender bias may be one of the reasons women with the impulsive type ADHD aren't recognized as having the disorder. 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 why women with impulsive-type ADHD may not be recognized is depression, which often coexists with or is caused by ADD. Depression sufferers may find it difficult to manage the impulsive behaviors that come with ADD. It can be difficult to treat depression when impulsive behaviour is present. These impulsive symptoms may cause feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that women suffering from ADD suffer from, which can be compounded by an absence of support from family members.
The following are some ways to lower 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 irritable. In many cases, the two disorders are combined and treated together by a doctor. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships with others. In platonic or romantic relationships your issues with focus and attention can create tension and confusion that may lead to conflict. These issues can lead to coworkers or colleagues thinking that your behaviour in school or work situations as a lack of interest, commitment, or hostility.
Women are better at hiding their symptoms, making it harder to diagnose depression and ADHD. They frequently alter their behavior to fit in with society expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotional. In some cases they turn to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking and drug abuse, especially during the adolescent years. This could make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the root of their problems, and delay getting a correct diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from individual to individual, even within the same family. Certain people experience milder symptoms, and are known as high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that affect their daily activities.
The good news is that there are treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD which include cognitive behavior therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical therapy for behavior. These therapies can help improve self-regulation and control of impulses and also teach you how to manage your emotions.
There are also a variety of medications 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, clonidine, and guanfacine. Your doctor can tell you more about the benefits and dangers of these medications. They might also be able to give you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. For example, you might use 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.