ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD come up with strategies to mask their symptoms. These may include building a daily schedule and setting reminders for phone calls. They could also employ bravado as a way to avoid social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms may become ineffective. They may also experience co-occurring conditions like anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behaviors such as cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be unfocused and have a harder time staying focused and are more likely to lose track of things. They may also have difficulty managing their personal and professional lives, which could affect their work performance. They might miss appointments, or fail to pay bills and can be inclined to delay their work. They may have difficulty reading or doing math. These difficulties can worsen in the months prior to, during or after menopause.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for girls and women to get diagnosed with ADHD because they are more adept in 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 less socially acceptable particularly if they're chaotic or impulsive.
It is possible for women with ADHD to live full, happy and fulfilled lives. But it's crucial to find a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder and understands how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which helps patients recognize negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a blend of CBT along with other therapeutic methods to improve self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy assists individuals develop skills for managing emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD often have a problem 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 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 hard to fit in at work, school, or in other social situations. It is also difficult for them to read body language and understand social cues.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD find it hard to stay in a rut or have a desire to move forward. This can make it difficult to accomplish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to fulfill their social obligations or keep their commitments. Women can also have emotional outbursts, or be lacking in self-control.
It is important for women suffering from ADHD to seek help when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and increase their confidence and self-esteem. Through lifestyle changes and medication, it is possible to lessen or eliminate the symptoms.
A restful night's sleep can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. A routine for bedtime and a reduction in screen time at night, and eating according to a schedule can all help improve sleeping habits. high functioning adhd in women who suffer from ADHD may benefit from a weighted quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence for women suffering from ADHD, even though it's not a sign of the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or deeper issues like low self-esteem or relationship issues. Women suffering from ADD tend to be insecure about their self-esteem because of their inability to perform well as women and girls who are the same age. Inability to discern social cues and difficulty in social interactions may cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to be diagnosed with ADD than it is for males. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially true during puberty, pregnancy as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transitions when hormones are changing.
It is also easier for women to hide their symptoms than it is for males and males. It can be difficult to cope with the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can cause stress, depression and anxiety. It could also be a factor in the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which is common in teens and young women suffering from ADHD.
Impulsive
You react quickly and without thinking when you suffer from an impulsive ADHD symptoms. You can't wait to be the first person to speak in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt others or end their sentences. You are also unable to judge the appropriateness of your social actions. These actions can impact your ability to sustain relationships or even a job, and can make it difficult to meet the expectations from family friends, colleagues and other family members.
Women with impulsive-type ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions, which can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that other people are criticizing or disrespecting them because they are unable to focus or keep up. They may not be able complete tasks at work or home or even lose their keys or wallet. They might be inclined to spending money on things that aren't valuable, or forget important dates or appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can hide their symptoms. This is particularly true in their professional lives. They might have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services who help them cope with the chaos that can cause them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or pay their bills. It could be easier for them to manage their impulsive ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than in the office.
Gender bias may be one of the reasons women with 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.
Depression, which is usually caused by or coexists alongside ADD is also one of the reasons why a woman suffering from impulsive type ADHD might not be diagnosed. People suffering from depression may find it difficult to manage the impulsive behavior that come with ADD. It can also be difficult to treat depression when impulsive behaviour is present. The impulsive behavior can contribute to feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that women suffering from ADD suffer from, which can be compounded by the lack of support from loved ones.
Depression
Women suffering from ADHD can have symptoms similar to those experienced in depression. This can include feeling depressed and depressed, having difficulty sleeping or concentrating or being anxious and easily angered. In many cases, the two disorders are combined and treated together by a doctor. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships. Inability to focus and pay attention can cause frustrations and misunderstandings, which may lead you into conflicts. In school or at work, these problems can cause colleagues and coworkers to interpret your behavior as insecurity, hostility, or lack of commitment.
Depression and ADHD in women can be harder to diagnose than in males because women are more adept at masking their symptoms. They tend to alter their behavior to fit in with society expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some cases they turn to unhealthy methods to cope, such as excessive drinking and drug use particularly during adolescence. This can make it hard for them to recognize that their ADHD is causing their problems and delay getting an accurate diagnosis.
Within the same family, symptoms severity may differ. Certain people experience milder symptoms, and are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some people have severe symptoms that affect their daily activities.
The good news is that there are treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD which include cognitive behavior therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. These therapies can improve self-regulation and impulse control, as well as teach you to manage your emotions.
Additionally to that, there are a variety of drugs that treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). There are other non-stimulants such as atomoxetine (Strattera), viloxazine (Qelbree) and Clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will be able to tell you more about these drugs, including their benefits and risks. Your doctor might also offer other suggestions to help you manage your symptoms. Planners can be used to stay on top of things and take notes during meetings and record reminders. You may also benefit from joining an women's ADHD support group.