ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD develop strategies to mask their symptoms. Some of these include creating a daily routine and establishing phone reminders. They can also use bravado to ward off social isolation.
However, their coping strategies could become unsustainable. They could also develop comorbid conditions including anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have the inattentive subtype, which makes it harder for them to stay focused on tasks and are more likely 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, or fail to pay bills and can be prone to procrastination. They might have difficulty reading or doing math. These issues can get worse when, prior to and after menopausal changes.
Many experts believe it is more difficult for women and girls to get diagnosed with ADHD because they are more adept at masking 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 are often viewed by others as unacceptable particularly if they are impulsive and unorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women suffering from ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. However, it's important to find a provider who is knowledgeable about the disorder and can explain the way it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps patients identify negative beliefs and thoughts that can result in problematic behavior Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is a combination of CBT and other therapies that aim to enhance self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavioral therapy, which helps individuals develop skills that assist them in managing their emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD often have a problem with sensitivity to rejection. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection whether it is real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them keep relationships. This can mean that they are more likely to pursue romantic partners on a casual basis or engage in sexually risky behavior or have unplanned pregnancies.
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 work, school or in other social situations. They might also find it difficult to read bodylanguage and detect social cues.
adhd symptoms in women with ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel a urgent need to move on. This makes it difficult to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. It can also be difficult for women to keep up on their commitments as well as social interactions. They may also be afflicted by emotional outbursts and a lack of self-control.
It is important for women with ADHD to seek help when they are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to reduce or eliminate symptoms by making lifestyle changes treatment, therapy and medications.
A restful night's sleep can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. The way you sleep can be improved by following a routine for bedtime, limiting the amount of screen time at night and eating on the schedule. Women suffering from ADHD could benefit from a weighted quilt or soothing music to aid in their sleep.
Depression, although not an indicator of ADHD, is common in women who suffer from the condition. It could be the result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or because of the root issues, such as low self-esteem, poor job performance and difficulty in relationships. Women who suffer from ADD tend to be low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform well as girls and women who are the same age. Having difficulty with social interaction and an inability to pick up on social cues can also cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
adhd in women can be more difficult for women to get diagnosed with ADD than it is for men. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially evident during puberty, pregnancy as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transitions when hormones are undergoing changes.
It is also easier for women to hide their symptoms than for men and boys. Additionally, society has many expectations for women. It can be stressful when juggling with the symptoms of ADHD. This can lead anxiety, depression, and anxiety. It can also contribute to the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which is prevalent in teenagers and young women suffering from ADHD.
Impulsive
If you're suffering from impulsive type ADHD symptoms You're quick to react without thinking. You don't want to wait for your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt other people or end their sentences. You are also unable to judge the appropriateness of your social actions. These behaviors can affect your ability to maintain the relationship or job you have and they can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family, friends and coworkers.
Women who suffer from impulsive-type ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions which can cause more conflict in relationships and at work. They may feel that others are criticizing or disrespecting them because they are unable to focus or keep up. They may not be able to finish tasks at work or at home or even lose their wallet or keys. They may be prone towards spending money on things that aren't valuable, or they may forget important dates or appointments.
Some women with ADHD are able to hide their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They may have assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them deal with the disorder that may make them forget appointments, not pay bills or miss deadlines. It might be easier for them to manage their impulsive ADHD symptoms at home with their friends and family than in the office.
Gender bias may be one of the reasons women with 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.
Depression, which is typically caused by or coexists with ADD is also the reason for why a woman suffering from an impulsive type ADHD might not be diagnosed. People suffering from depression may find it difficult to control the impulsive behaviors that come with ADD. It can also be difficult to treat depression when impulsive behavior is present. Those impulsive symptoms can also contribute to feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt that some women with ADD have, which can be exacerbated by an absence of support from family members.
The following are some ways to lower your risk:
Women who suffer from ADHD can have symptoms similar to those experienced in depression. This can include feeling depressed and worthless, having trouble in concentrating or sleeping, or being irritable and easily annoyed. Doctors often combine the two disorders and treat them in conjunction. Depression and ADD can also affect your relationships with other people. In platonic or romantic relationships your issues with focus and attention can create tension and confusion which can lead to conflict. These issues can result in coworkers or colleagues not understanding your behavior in work or school situations as a lack of commitment, disinterest or hostility.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to diagnose depression and ADHD. They alter their behavior in order to conform to social expectations and avoid being labelled as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly in adolescence. This makes it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the root of their issues, and can delay getting a correct diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can differ from person to person even within the same family. Some people have milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that affect their daily lives.
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, as well as help you manage your emotions.
Additionally there are a myriad of drugs that treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). There are other non-stimulants, including atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree), clonidine (Kapvay), and Guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will be able to tell you more about the advantages and risks of these drugs. Your doctor could also provide other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. You can use a planner to keep track of your schedule, or take notes during meetings and make reminders. You could also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.