ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD often develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. This could include creating a daily schedule and setting reminders on their phones. They can also make use of bravado to protect themselves from social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ could become ineffective. They may also develop co-morbid disorders like mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviors such as cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have the inattentive subtype, which makes it harder for them to remain focused on their tasks and are more likely to forget things. They may also have difficulties managing their work and personal lives, which could hinder their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, or fail to pay their bills and may be prone to procrastination. They might have difficulty reading or doing math. These issues can get worse during, before and after menopausal symptoms.
Experts believe that girls and women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making it more difficult to identify 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 are often viewed by others as unacceptable particularly if they are impulsive and chaotic.
The good news is that it's possible for women with ADHD to lead happy, full and satisfying lives. It is essential to select a provider that is familiar with the disorder and how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors; neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is a blend of CBT and other therapies that are designed to improve self-regulation and impulse control; and dialectical behavior therapy, which helps patients develop the skills needed to assist them in managing their emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have issues 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 who suffer from ADHD being more likely than other women to engage in risky sexual behaviors, get pregnant without planning 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 make friends with other people at school, at work or in other social situations. They may be unable to read body language and detect social cues.
Impatient
Women with ADHD are unable to sit still or feel the need to move forward. This makes it difficult to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. It can also be difficult for women to follow through on their commitments as well as social interactions. Women can also have emotional outbursts, or be lacking in self-control.
It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to seek assistance when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to reduce or eliminate symptoms by making lifestyle changes as well as therapy and medication.
A good night's sleep can help reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine and a slowed down screen time at night, and eating according to a schedule can all aid in improving sleeping habits. A woman with ADHD can also benefit from using blankets that are weighted or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression is common among women suffering from ADHD although it's not a symptom of the condition. It may occur as a result of the debilitating consequences of untreated ADD or because of the root issues, such as low self-esteem, low work performance and difficulty with relationships. Women suffering from ADD are usually low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as girls and women who are the same age. Having difficulty with social interaction and being unable to recognize social cues can cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to get diagnosed with ADD than it is for men. This is because doctors frequently make the mistake of interpreting the symptoms of ADD in women as signs that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly relevant during pregnancy and puberty, as well as during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles, when hormones are changing.
It is also easier for women to conceal their symptoms than for men and boys. It can be challenging to balance the demands of society and ADHD symptoms. This can cause anxiety, depression and stress. It can also play a role in the development non-suicidal-self-injury, which is common among teens and young women who have ADHD.
Impulsive
You are quick 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 other people or end their sentences. You also have difficulty judging the social appropriateness of your actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to maintain the relationship or job you have and make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family, colleagues and friends.
Women suffering from an impulsive ADHD have a hard time managing their emotions. This can cause conflict in relationships and the workplace. They might feel that people are criticizing or disrespecting them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. They may not be able complete tasks at home or at work or lose their wallet or keys. They may be prone towards spending money on things that are not valuable or forget important dates or appointments.
Some women with ADHD can conceal their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretary or cleaning services who help them deal with the disorder that can lead them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or pay bills. It might be easier for them to manage their impulse-driven ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than at the office.
Gender bias is one reason why women suffering from impulsive-type ADHD are underdiagnosed. 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 typically caused by or is co-exists with ADD is also the reason for why a woman suffering from an impulsive type ADHD may not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD can be hard for depression sufferers to control, and it's difficult to treat the depression while being afflicted by an impulsive personality. Those impulsive symptoms can also contribute to feeling of insecurity and self-doubt 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 might experience symptoms that resemble depression. These can include feeling low and depressed, having difficulty in concentrating or sleeping, or being irritable and easily angered. Doctors often combine both conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships with other people. Your inability to focus and pay attention can result in confusion and frustration that can lead into conflicts. These issues can result in colleagues or coworkers not understanding your behavior in school or at work settings as lack of interest, commitment or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are harder to diagnose than in men because women are better at hiding their symptoms. They change their behavior to comply with social norms 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 stage. This can also make it hard for them to recognize their ADHD is causing their problems and delay getting an accurate diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can vary from individual to individual, even within the same family. Some people have milder symptoms, and are known as high-functioning ADHD. Others have severe symptoms that affect their daily activities.
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 treatments can help improve self-regulation and impulse control, as well as teach you to manage your emotions.
There are 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). There are other non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera) viloxazine (Qelbree) and clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will tell you more about the benefits and dangers of these medications. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. adult add in women can use a planner to stay organized and take notes during meetings and record reminders. You may also benefit from joining a women's ADHD support group.