ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD develop strategies to disguise their symptoms. These include establishing an everyday schedule and setting phone reminders. They may also use bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ may not be sustainable. They may also develop co-morbid disorders like mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women with ADHD are more likely to be inattentive, meaning they have a difficult time staying focused and are more likely to lose track of things. They can also have trouble organizing their personal and professional lives, which may affect their work performance. They may miss appointments, not pay their bills or delay their work. adhd symptoms in women test may have trouble in math or reading. These problems may get worse during, before and after menopause.
Experts believe that women and girls are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it 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 could be viewed as unsocially acceptable particularly if they're impulsive or disorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women with ADHD to lead full, happy and fulfilling lives. It is important to find a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder and knows how it affects women. There are a variety of treatment options, including cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is which is a combination of CBT and other therapeutic methods that are designed to enhance self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavioral therapy, which assists people learn skills to help manage their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women suffering from ADHD typically have issues with rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection, whether it is real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. This means that they are more likely to pursue romantic partners on a casual basis, engage in sexually risky 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 difficult to fit in at school, work or in other social settings. It can also be difficult for them to read body language and pick up on social signals.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD find it hard to stay in a rut or are driven to move forward. This can make it difficult to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to keep their social commitments or follow through with their commitments. They may also be afflicted by emotional outbursts and lack of self-control.
It is essential for women with ADHD to seek assistance when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and increase self-esteem and confidence. It is also possible to minimize or eliminate symptoms by making lifestyle changes treatment, therapy and medications.
Getting enough sleep can also help reduce ADHD symptoms. The way you sleep can be improved with having a regular bedtime routine by limiting screen time at night and eating according to a schedule. A person suffering from ADHD may benefit from a blanket that is weighted or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression, though not a symptom of ADHD is a common occurrence in women who have the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating effect of untreated ADD, or underlying issues such as low self-esteem and relationships issues. Women suffering from ADD tend to be lacking self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as women and girls similar to them. They have difficulty socializing and an inability to pick up on social cues can contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be harder for women to be diagnosed with ADD than it is for men. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially relevant during pregnancy, puberty and during perimenopause and menopause when hormone levels are changing.
It is also easier for women to hide their symptoms than it is for males and males. Additionally there are a lot of expectations for women. It can be stressful to juggle with the symptoms of ADHD. This can lead to stress, depression and anxiety. It could also contribute to the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which is prevalent in teenagers and young women who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
When you have impulsive-type ADHD symptoms, you're quick to act without thinking. You don't want to wait to get your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt other people or interrupt them in their conversation. You may also find it difficult to judge appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These behaviors can impact your ability to keep relationships or work and make it difficult to meet the expectations of family, friends and colleagues.
Women who suffer from impulsive-type ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions and this can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that people are unkind or apathetic because they are unable to keep up or focus. They might not be able to finish tasks at work or home, or misplace their keys or wallet. They may be at risk of spending money on things that do not bring value or forget important dates and appointments.
Some women who have ADHD can conceal their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They may have assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them cope with the chaos that can make them forget appointments, not pay bills or fail to meet deadlines. It might be easier for them to manage their impulsive ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than at the office.
Gender bias could be one of the reasons why women suffering from 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 that a woman with an impulsive type of ADHD might go undiagnosed include depression, which can coexist with or is caused by ADD. Patients suffering from depression may find it difficult to manage the impulsive behavior that are associated with ADD. It can also be difficult to deal with depression when impulsive behavior is present. The impulsive behavior can contribute to feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that women suffering from ADD suffer from, which can be exacerbated by an absence of support from family members.
Depression
Women who suffer from ADHD can have symptoms that are similar to those experienced in depression. They may feel depressed and worthless, having trouble sleeping or concentrating or being angry and easily angry. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them both. Depression and ADD could also impact your relationships. Your inability to concentrate and pay attention can result in frustrations and misunderstandings that can lead to conflicts. These issues can lead to coworkers or colleagues misinterpreting your behavior in school or at work settings as a lack of interest, commitment or hostility.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder to diagnose depression and ADHD. They often change their behavior to meet societal expectations and avoid being judged as weak or emotional. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly in the adolescent stage. This can make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is causing their problems and delay obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Symptom severity 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 people have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily lives.
The good news is that there are treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD, including cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical therapy for behavioral disorders. These treatments can aid in improving self-regulation and control of impulses and also teach you how to manage your emotions.
There are also a variety of medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants are also available such as atomoxetine (Strattera) viloxazine (Qelbree) as well as clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will be able to tell you more about these medications as well as their advantages and potential risks. They may also be able to give you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. You can use a planner to stay organized or make notes during meetings and make reminders. You might also benefit from joining an women's ADHD support group.