ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD often develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. These may include building an agenda for the day and setting reminders for phone calls. They can also make use of bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms may become ineffective. They could also develop comorbid disorders such as anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women with ADHD are more likely to be unfocused, meaning they have a harder time staying focused and tend to forget things. They may also have difficulty managing their work and personal lives, which could affect their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, not pay their bills and may be inclined to delay their work. They may have difficulty in reading or with math. These problems can get worse before, during and after menopausal changes.
Experts believe that girls and women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making it difficult to recognize 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 less acceptable especially if they are impulsive or unorganized.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to live full, happy and fulfilled lives. It is essential to select a provider that is knowledgeable about the disorder and knows how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which helps patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts 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 helps individuals develop skills for managing emotions and improving interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have issues with sensitivity to rejection. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection, whether it is real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them maintain relationships. This can result in women with ADHD being more prone than others to engage in sexually dangerous behaviors, get pregnant without planning 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 could make it difficult to make friends with other people at work, at school or in other social settings. They might be unable to read bodylanguage and detect social cues.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel a pressing need to move on. This can make it difficult to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying the bills. Women may also have difficulty to keep their social commitments or keep their commitments. Women may also experience emotional outbursts or a lack in self-control.
It is important for women suffering from ADHD to seek treatment when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and increase self-esteem and confidence. It is also possible to lessen or eliminate symptoms with lifestyle changes as well as therapy and medication.
A restful night's sleep can help reduce ADHD symptoms. A good bedtime routine and a reduction in the time you spend on screens at night, and eating on a regular schedule can all contribute to improved sleeping habits. A woman with ADHD may benefit from a weighted blanket or calming music to help them sleep.
Depression is common for women suffering from ADHD, even though it's not a symptom of the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating impact of untreated ADD, or deeper issues like low self-esteem and relationship difficulties. Women who suffer from ADD are usually insecure about their self-esteem because of their inability to perform as well as women and girls who are the same age. Inability to recognize social cues and difficulties in social interactions may result in feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to get diagnosed with ADD than males. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is particularly relevant during pregnancy, puberty and during perimenopause and menopause when hormone levels are changing.
Women are also able to hide their symptoms more easily than boys or men. It can be challenging to balance the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can cause 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 with ADHD.
Impulsive
If you suffer from impulsive-type ADHD symptoms you're quick to make decisions without thinking. You're not able to wait for your turn to speak during the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or end sentences of other people. You may also find it difficult to judge social appropriateness or your actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to maintain a job or a relationship and they can make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family, friends and coworkers.
Women who suffer from impulsive-type ADHD frequently have difficulty managing their emotions, which can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They may feel like others are unkind or apathetic because they can't keep up or concentrate. They may not be able to finish their work at the office or at home, or they might misplace their wallet or keys. They might be prone to spending money on things that don't bring value or lose track of important dates and appointments.
Women with ADHD may conceal their symptoms. This is particularly relevant to their professional lives. They might employ assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them cope with the chaos that can cause them to miss appointments, forget to pay bills or fail to meet deadlines. They may find it easier to cope with their impulsive ADHD symptoms when they're at home with their loved ones than in the workplace.
Gender bias is a reason why women with 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 why a woman with impulsive-type ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. add symptoms in women that is associated with ADD is often difficult for depression sufferers to manage, and it can be difficult to treat the depression while dealing with impulsive behavior. Those impulsive behaviors can also cause feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD feel. This can be made worse by the lack of support from family members.
Depression
Women with ADHD may experience symptoms that resemble depression. They may feel depressed and unimportant, having difficulty sleeping or concentrating or being anxious and easily angry. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD may also affect your relationships. Inability to focus and pay attention can lead to frustrations and misunderstandings, which may lead you into conflicts. These issues can lead to coworkers or colleagues thinking that your behaviour in school or work settings as a lack of interest, commitment, or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are harder to diagnose than in men because women are better at masking their symptoms. They alter their behavior to conform to social expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy ways to cope, like excessive alcohol and substance use particularly during the adolescent stage. This can make it difficult for them to understand that their ADHD is the root of their issues, and can delay getting a correct diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptom severity can vary. Some people have milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Certain people experience severe symptoms that interfere with their daily lives.
There are a variety of treatment options for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive therapy (NCP), and dialectical behavior therapy. These therapies can aid in improving self-regulation and impulse control and teach you to 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). Non-stimulants include atomoxetine, viloxazine, clonidine, and guanfacine. Your doctor can provide more information about the benefits and risks of these drugs. Your doctor could also provide other suggestions for managing your symptoms. For example, you might use a planner or notepad to record reminders, and taking notes during meetings to keep your schedule organized. You could also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.