ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD come up with strategies to mask their symptoms. This could include creating a daily schedule and setting reminders on their phones. They could also resort to bravado to protect themselves from social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ may become unsustainable. They may also experience comorbid conditions including mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behavior such as cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women with ADHD are more likely to be unfocused, meaning they have a difficult time staying focused and tend to forget things. They can also have trouble with organizing their professional and personal lives, which may affect their performance at work. They might miss appointments, not pay bills or put off paying bills. They might have trouble understanding or completing math. These problems may get worse in the months prior to, and following menopausal symptoms.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for girls and women to get diagnosed with ADHD because they are better 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 may be viewed by others as less acceptable especially if they are impulsive or disorganized.
The good news is that it is possible for women suffering from ADHD to live full, happy and fulfilling lives. It is important to select a provider that is well-versed in the disorder and how it affects women. There are a variety of treatment options, including cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors neurocognitive psychotherapy, a combination of CBT and other therapeutic practices that aim to improve self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavior therapy, which assists individuals develop skills that help them manage emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD are also often afflicted with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection that makes it difficult to keep relationships. This means that they are more likely to look for casual sexual partners, engage in risky sexual 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 make friends at work, school or other social situations. adhd in women signs might be unable to understand body language and recognize social cues.
Impatient
Women with ADHD find it hard to stay in a rut or feel the need to move forward. This can make it hard to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning the home or paying the bills. Women might also have difficulty to stick to their social obligations or keep their commitments. They may also be afflicted by emotional outbursts and inability to control their emotions.
It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to seek assistance when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can help improve their lives and boost their confidence and self-esteem. With changes in lifestyle as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to lessen or completely eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's rest can reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine, limiting the time you spend on screens at night, and eating according to a schedule can all help improve sleeping habits. Women with ADHD may benefit from a weighted quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women with ADHD although it's not an indication of the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or due to root causes like low self-esteem, poor job performance, and difficulties with relationships. Women who suffer from ADD frequently struggle with self-esteem because they don't perform like other girls and women their older. Inability to recognize social cues and difficulty with social interactions can also result in feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women can have a harder when it comes to being diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially evident during pregnancy and puberty, as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transition when hormones are undergoing changes.
Women are also able to hide their symptoms easier than boys or men. It can be difficult to balance the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can lead to stress, depression and anxiety. It may also contribute to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which is a common occurrence in teens and young women suffering from ADHD.
Impulsive
You act quickly and without thinking when you suffer from impulsive ADHD symptoms. You don't want to wait to get your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt others or end their sentences. It can also be difficult to determine the appropriateness of your actions in the context of social situations. These actions can impact your ability to sustain relationships or even a job and make it hard to live up to expectations from family friends, colleagues and other family members.
Women suffering from hyperactive ADHD have a hard time managing their emotions. This can cause conflict in relationships and the workplace. adhd traits in women may feel like others are critical or disrespectful because they can't keep up or focus. They may be unable to finish their work at the office or at home, or they might misplace their wallet or keys. They could be prone to spending money on things that do not bring value or lose track of important dates and appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can hide their symptoms. This is especially relevant to their professional lives. They might have secretaries, assistants or cleaning services to help them deal with the disorganization that can make them 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 could be one of the reasons why women suffering from the impulsive type ADHD aren't 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.
Depression, which is usually caused by or coexists with ADD is also the reason for why a woman suffering from an impulsive type ADHD may not be diagnosed. Depression sufferers may find it difficult to manage the impulsive behaviors that are characteristic of ADD. It is also difficult to deal with depression when impulsive behavior is present. The impulsive behavior can contribute to feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt that women suffering from ADD have, which can be exacerbated by a lack of support from loved ones.
Depression
Women who suffer from ADHD might exhibit symptoms that are similar to those that are seen in depression. They may feel depressed and unimportant, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating or being angry and easily angered. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them both. Depression and ADD could also impact your relationships. In platonic or romantic relationships your issues with attention and focus could heighten frustrations and misunderstandings that may lead to conflict. These problems can lead to coworkers or colleagues not understanding your behavior in school or at work settings as a lack of commitment, disinterest or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to diagnose than men because women are better at hiding their symptoms. They change their behavior in order to meet social expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly during the adolescent years. This can make it difficult to realize that their ADHD is causing their problems and delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptom severity can vary. Certain people experience milder symptoms, and are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some sufferers have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily activities.
There are several 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 help improve self-regulation and impulse control, and can teach you to manage your emotions.
There are a variety of medications 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, the clonidine and guanfacine. Your doctor will be able to tell you more about these drugs, including their benefits and dangers. They may be able to offer you suggestions on how to deal with your symptoms. For instance, you could consider using a planner, writing down reminders, and taking notes at meetings to keep your schedule organized. You could also benefit by joining an ADHD support group for women.