ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD develop coping strategies to manage their symptoms. Some of these include establishing an everyday routine and setting up phone reminders. They could also employ bravado to ward off social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms could become unsustainable. They may also develop comorbid disorders like mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have the inattentive subtype, which makes it harder to keep their attention on their work and are more likely forget things. They can also have trouble with organizing their professional and personal lives, which could affect their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, not pay bills or procrastinate. They might have trouble reading or doing math. These problems may get worse during, before and after menopause.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for women and girls to be diagnosed with ADHD because they are better 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). Those behaviors can be perceived as being less acceptable to society, especially if they are chaotic or impulsive.
The good news is that it is possible for women with ADHD to live happy, full and satisfying lives. It's important to choose a provider that is well-versed in the disorder and understands how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists patients recognize negative thoughts and beliefs that result in problematic behavior neurocognitive psychotherapy, a combination of CBT and other therapeutic methods that are designed to improve self-regulation and impulse control; and dialectical behavior therapy, which assists patients develop the skills needed to help them manage emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are often plagued with sensitivity to rejection. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. This can lead to women with ADHD being more likely than others to engage in risky sexual 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 fit in at school, work or other social situations. They might also find it difficult to understand body language and pick up social cues.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel the urgent need to move on. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying bills. It can be a challenge for women to keep up on their commitments and social interactions. Women may also experience emotional outbursts, or be lacking of self-control.
When women are experiencing symptoms of ADHD It is essential that they seek help. Treatment can help improve their lives and increase their confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to minimize or eliminate symptoms by making modifications to lifestyle as well as therapy and medication.
Getting enough sleep can also help reduce ADHD symptoms. A good bedtime routine and a slowed down the time you spend on screens at night, and eating on a regular basis can all contribute to improved sleeping habits. Women suffering from ADHD could also benefit from a heavier quilt or soothing music to aid in their sleep.
Depression, while not an indication of ADHD, is common in women with the condition. women and adhd could be the result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or due to root issues, such as low self-esteem, poor work performance and difficulty with relationships. Women who suffer from ADD are often struggling with self-esteem since they don't perform like other women and girls their age. Having difficulty with social interaction and a lack of ability to pick up on social cues can cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be harder for women to be diagnosed with ADD than males. This is due to the fact that doctors often mistake the symptoms of ADD in women for signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially true during puberty and pregnancy and also during menopausal perimenopausal transition, when hormones are changing.
Women are also able to hide their symptoms better than men or boys. It can be challenging to cope with the demands of society and ADHD symptoms. This can lead depression, stress and anxiety. It can also be a factor in the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which is a common occurrence in teens and young women who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
You are quick and without thinking when you have the impulsive ADHD symptoms. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak during the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or end sentences of other people. You are also unable to judge the appropriateness of your social actions. These behaviors can affect the ability to sustain relationships or work and make it hard to live up to expectations of family friends, colleagues and other family members.
Women suffering from an impulsive ADHD have trouble managing their emotions. This can lead to conflict in relationships as well as in the workplace. They might feel that people are criticizing or disrespecting them because they can't concentrate or keep up. They may be unable to finish tasks at the office or at home or even lose their keys or wallet. They might be prone to spending money on things that don't add value or they might forget important dates and appointments.
Women with ADHD can hide their symptoms. This is especially the case in their professional lives. They may have assistants, secretary or cleaning services who help them deal with the disorganization which can cause them to miss deadlines, forget appointments or pay bills. They may find it easier to cope with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their loved ones than in the workplace.
Gender bias is one of the reasons why women suffering from 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 might go undiagnosed include depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. Depression sufferers may find it difficult to control the impulsive behaviors that come with ADD. It can be difficult to deal with depression when impulsive behavior is present. These impulsive behaviors may cause feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD experience. This can be exacerbated due to a lack of support from family members.
The following are some of the ways you can reduce your risk:
Women who suffer from ADHD might exhibit symptoms similar to those experienced in depression. These symptoms could include feeling depressed and worthless, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating, as well as being angry. Doctors often combine both conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD may also affect your relationships. In romantic or platonic partnerships your struggles with attention and focus can cause frustration and miscommunication that can cause conflict. These problems can lead to colleagues or coworkers misinterpreting your behaviour in school or work settings as lack of interest, commitment, or hostility.
Women are better at hiding their symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose depression and ADHD. They alter their behavior to conform to 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, particularly in adolescence. This could make it difficult for them to realize that their ADHD is the reason for their problems, and may delay getting a correct diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from one person to another even within the same family. Certain people have 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 for adults suffering from ADHD, including cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical therapy for behavioral disorders. These therapies can aid in improving self-regulation and impulse control and help you manage your emotions.
There are also a number medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD among adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). women and adhd -stimulants are also available such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree), Clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can tell you more about these drugs, including their benefits and dangers. They may also be able to give you suggestions on how to deal with your symptoms. For instance, you could try using an organizer and note-taking reminders and taking notes at meetings to help you stay organized. You may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.