ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD develop strategies to mask their symptoms. These include establishing an agenda for the day and setting reminders on their phones. They may also use bravado to protect themselves from social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms could become ineffective. They may also experience compulsive disorders, such as mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be unfocused and have a harder time staying focused and are more likely to forget things. They also may have issues with organizing their professional and personal lives, which can impact their work performance. They might miss appointments, not pay bills or put off paying bills. They may have difficulty understanding or completing math. These issues can get worse in the months prior to, and following menopausal symptoms.
Experts believe that girls and women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making it more 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 may be viewed by others as less acceptable particularly if they are impulsive and chaotic.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to lead full, happy and fulfilled lives. It's important to choose a professional who is knowledgeable about the disorder and how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors; neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is a blend of CBT and other therapeutic methods designed to improve self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavioral therapy, which helps individuals develop skills that help manage their emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD also often struggle with sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional response to real or perceived rejection that makes it more difficult for them to maintain relationships. This can lead to women with ADHD being more prone than other people to engage in risky sexual 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 difficult to be a part of a group at school, at work or in other social situations. They might also have difficulty learning to read bodylanguage and recognize social signals.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD are unable to stay in a rut or feel the need to move forward. This makes it difficult to finish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying the bills. It can be a challenge for women to stay focused on their commitments and social interactions. Women can also have emotional outbursts, or be lacking in self-control.
When women are experiencing symptoms of ADHD It is essential that they seek help. Treatment can make a difference in their lives and boost confidence and self-esteem. Through changes in lifestyle, medication and therapy it is possible to lessen or eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's sleep can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Sleeping habits can be improved through a good bedtime routine, limiting the amount of screen time at night, and eating according to a schedule. Women suffering from ADHD may also benefit from a heavier quilt or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression is common for women suffering from ADHD however, it's not an indication of the condition. It could be the result of the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or because of the root causes like low self-esteem, poor work performance and difficulty with relationships. Women with ADD tend to be low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform well as girls and women similar to them. Having difficulty with social interaction and being unable to recognize social signals can contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to be diagnosed with ADD than it is for males. This is due to the fact that doctors often misinterpret the symptoms of ADD in women as signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly evident during puberty, pregnancy and during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormone levels are changing.
Women can also hide their symptoms better than boys or men. It can be challenging to cope with the demands of society and ADHD symptoms. undiagnosed adhd in women can lead stress, depression and anxiety. It can also contribute to the development non-suicidal-self-injury, which is common in young women and teens who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
You are quick and without thinking when you are suffering from the impulsive ADHD symptoms. You aren't able to wait for your turn to speak in the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or complete sentences of other people. You might also find it difficult to judge appropriateness of your actions in the context of social situations. These actions can impact your ability to keep a relationship or a job and make it difficult to meet the expectations from family friends, colleagues and other family members.
Women with impulsive-type ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions and this can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that other people are judging or ignoring them because they can't concentrate or keep up. They may be unable to complete tasks at work or at home or even lose their wallet or keys. They could be at risk of spending money on items that aren't valuable, or they could forget important dates or appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD are able to conceal their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They may employ 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. They may be able to deal with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their loved ones than in the workplace.
Gender bias is one reason that women suffering from impulsive type ADHD are not 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 a woman with an impulsive type of ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which can coexist with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior that comes with ADD can be hard for those suffering from depression to manage, and it's a challenge to manage depression when struggling with an impulsive personality. These impulsive symptoms may cause feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt that women suffering from ADD suffer from, which can be compounded by an absence of support from loved ones.
Here are a few ways to lower your risk:
Women with ADHD can have symptoms similar to those that are seen in depression. These can include feeling low and worthless, having trouble sleeping or concentrating or being angry and easily angered. Many times, the two conditions are combined and treated by a doctor. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships. Your inability to concentrate and pay attention can cause frustrations and misunderstandings which can lead you to conflicts. In school or at work, these problems can make colleagues and coworkers misinterpret your behavior as hostile, disinterest or lack of commitment.
Depression and ADHD in women are harder to diagnose than in males because women are more adept at masking their symptoms. They change their behavior in order to meet social expectations and avoid being labelled as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking and substance abuse, especially during the adolescent years. This can also make it hard to realize that their ADHD is the cause of their problems and delay obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptom severity may differ. Certain people have milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Certain people experience severe symptoms that interfere with their daily activities.
There are many treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as neurocognitive therapy (NCP) and dialectical behavior therapy. These therapies can improve self-regulation as well as impulse control, and can help you manage your emotions.
There are a variety of medicines that can be prescribed to treat ADHD among adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). There are also non-stimulants available such as atomoxetine (Strattera), viloxazine (Qelbree) as well as clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can provide more about these drugs along with their benefits and dangers. Your doctor could also provide other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. For instance, you could use an organizer or notepad to record reminders, and taking notes during meetings to keep your schedule organized. You could also benefit by joining an ADHD support group for women.