ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD develop strategies to disguise their symptoms. Some of these include creating routines for their day and establishing phone reminders. They can also use bravado as a way to avoid social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms could become ineffective. They may also develop comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and self-harming behaviors such as cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women with ADHD are more likely to be distracted and have a harder time staying focused and tend to forget things. They may also have trouble managing their work and personal lives, which can affect their performance at work. They might miss appointments, not pay their bills or procrastinate. They may have trouble reading or doing math. These problems may get worse when, prior to and after menopausal symptoms.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for females and females to be diagnosed with ADHD because they are better 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). These behaviors are often viewed as less socially acceptable particularly if they're unorganized or impulsive.
It is possible for women with ADHD to live happy, fulfilled and full lives. But it's crucial to find a provider who is well-versed in the disorder and can explain how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which helps patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a combination of CBT together with other therapies to enhance impulse control and self-regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy can help people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are often plagued with rejection sensitivity. This is a strong emotional reaction to rejection whether real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them maintain relationships. This can lead to women who suffer from ADHD being more likely than others to engage in risky sexual actions, become pregnant unintentionally or look for 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 could make it difficult to make friends with other people at work, at school or in other social environments. It can also be challenging for them to comprehend body language and recognize social signals.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel the urgent need to move on. This can make it hard to finish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the home or paying bills. Women might also have difficulty to fulfill their social obligations or follow through with their commitments. Women may also experience emotional outbursts or lack in self-control.
It is important for women suffering from ADHD to seek treatment when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. With changes in lifestyle, medication and therapy it is possible to lessen or eliminate the symptoms.
Sleeping add test for women can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Sleeping habits can be improved with following a routine for bedtime by limiting screen time at night, and eating according to an established schedule. Women who suffer from ADHD may also benefit from a weighted quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression is common among women with ADHD although it's not a sign of the condition. It may occur as a result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or due to root issues, such as low self-esteem, poor work performance and difficulty in relationships. Women who suffer from ADD tend to be insecure about their self-esteem because of their inability to perform well as women and girls similar to them. They have difficulty socializing and being unable to detect social signals can contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to be diagnosed with ADD than men. This is because doctors frequently mistake 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 perimenopause or menopause as hormones change.
It is also easier for women to hide their symptoms than for males and males. It can be challenging to cope with the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can cause anxiety, depression, and stress. It could be a contributing factor to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which is a common occurrence in teens and young women suffering from ADHD.
Impulsive
You are quick and without thinking when you have an impulsive ADHD symptoms. You're not able to wait for your turn to speak during conversations, and you're more likely to interrupt or finish other people's sentences. You are also unable to judge the social adequacy of your actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to keep relationships or even a job and can make it difficult to live up to expectations from family or friends.
Women with impulsive-type ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions, which can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that people are critical or disrespectful because they can't keep up or concentrate. They might be unable to finish their work at the office or at home or lose their wallet or keys. They may be at risk of spending money on items that don't provide value or lose track of important dates and appointments.
Some women who have ADHD are able to conceal their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They may have secretaries, assistants or cleaning services to help them deal with the disorganization that can make them forget appointments, not pay bills, or miss deadlines. It may be easier for them to deal with their impulse-driven ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than at the office.
Gender bias could be one of the reasons women with an impulsive type of 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 may not be diagnosed is depression, which often coexists with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD can be hard for depression sufferers to manage, and it can be difficult to manage depression when struggling with an impulsive personality. Those impulsive behaviors can also contribute to feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that some women with ADD feel. This can be exacerbated due to a lack of support from loved ones.
Here are a few of the ways to reduce your risk of contracting a disease:
Women with ADHD may exhibit symptoms similar to depression. The symptoms may include feeling depressed and worthless and having trouble sleeping or concentrating, and being anxious. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD can also affect your relationships with others. Your inability to focus and pay attention can lead to frustrations and misunderstandings which can lead you to conflicts. In school or work settings These issues can cause coworkers and colleagues to think that your behavior is a sign of hostile, disinterest or lack of commitment.
Depression and ADHD in women can be more difficult to diagnose than men due to women being more adept at masking their symptoms. They alter their behavior to meet social expectations and avoid being labelled as fragile or emotionally unstable. In some cases they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly in adolescence. This makes it difficult for them to understand that their ADHD is the cause of their issues, and can delay getting a correct diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptom severity can vary. Certain people experience milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Others have severe symptoms that interfere with 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 therapies can help improve self-regulation and impulse control, as well as help you manage your emotions.
Additionally, there are a number of medications that are used to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants include atomoxetine, viloxazine, Clonidine, and Guanfacine. Your doctor can explain the benefits and dangers of these drugs. They might also give you additional suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. You can use a planner to stay on top of things and take notes during meetings and make reminders. You could also benefit by joining an women's ADHD support group.