ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD come up with strategies to manage their symptoms. These include establishing an everyday schedule and setting phone reminders. They may also use bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
However, their coping strategies can become unsustainable. They may also develop co-occurring conditions like mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be distracted, meaning they are more difficult to stay focused and tend to forget things. They may also have difficulties managing their work and personal lives, which could impact their work performance. They might not attend appointments, or fail to pay bills and can be prone to procrastination. They may have difficulty in reading or with math. These problems can get worse in the months prior to, during or after menopause.
Experts believe that girls and women are better at hiding their symptoms, making it difficult to recognize 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 can be perceived by others as less acceptable, especially if impulsive and chaotic.
The good news is that it is possible for women suffering from ADHD to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. But it's crucial to find a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder and understands the way it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that can result in problematic behavior; neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is a combination of CBT and other therapeutic methods designed to improve self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavior therapy, which helps patients develop the skills needed to help manage their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD also often struggle with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection which makes it harder for them to maintain relationships. This could mean that they are more likely to look for intimate partners, 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 hard to make friends at school, work or in other social settings. It is also difficult for them to read body language and understand social cues.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often find it difficult to wait for something or feel a urgent need to move on. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. Women may also find it difficult to fulfill their social obligations or stick to their commitments. They may also be afflicted by emotional outbursts as well as a lack of self-control.
It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to seek treatment when they are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and boost confidence and self-esteem. Through lifestyle changes as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to decrease or completely eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's sleep can reduce ADHD symptoms. The way you sleep can be improved with having a regular bedtime routine and limiting the amount of screen time at night, and eating according to an established schedule. Women with ADHD may also benefit from a weighted quilt or soothing music to aid in their sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women with ADHD although it's not an indication of the condition. It can be caused by the debilitating impact of untreated ADD or underlying issues such as low self-esteem and relationships issues. Women who suffer from ADD are often low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform well as girls and women similar to them. They have difficulty socializing and a lack of ability to recognize social cues can also contribute to their feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be more difficult for women to get diagnosed with ADD than it is for males. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially relevant during pregnancy, puberty and during perimenopause and menopause when hormones are changing.
It is also more easy for women to conceal their symptoms than it is for males and males. It can be challenging to manage the demands of society and ADHD symptoms. This can lead anxiety, depression and anxiety. It may be a contributing factor to the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which is prevalent in teenagers and young women suffering from ADHD.
undiagnosed adhd in women are quick 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 other people or finish their sentences. You also have difficulty judging the social appropriateness of your actions. These behaviors can affect your ability to keep a job or a relationship and make it difficult to meet the expectations of family members, friends and coworkers.
Women with impulsive-type ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions which can cause more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that people are criticizing or disrespecting them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. high functioning adhd in women might not be able to complete tasks at home or at work or even lose their keys or wallet. They may be at risk of spending money on things that don't provide value or forget important dates and appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD are able to conceal their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. adhd in women treatment may have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services who help them deal with the disorganization which can cause them to miss deadlines, forget appointments or pay their bills. It could be easier for them to deal with their impulse-driven ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than in the office.
Gender bias is a 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 often caused by or coexists with ADD is also the reason why a woman suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD might not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD can be difficult for those suffering from depression to manage, and it can be difficult to treat depression while struggling with an impulsive personality. Those impulsive symptoms can also cause feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt that women suffering from ADD suffer from, which can be exacerbated by the lack of support from loved ones.
Depression
Women suffering from ADHD may experience symptoms similar to depression. These symptoms could include feeling worthless and low and having trouble sleeping or concentrating, and being irritable. A lot of times, these two conditions are paired and treated together by a doctor. Depression and ADD may also affect your relationships. In platonic or romantic relationships, your trouble with attention and focus could create tension and confusion that can cause conflict. These issues can result in colleagues or coworkers not understanding your behaviour in school or work settings as lack of interest, commitment, or hostility.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms, making it difficult to identify depression and ADHD. They tend to alter their behavior to conform to social expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive drinking and drug abuse, particularly in the adolescent years. This can also make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is causing their problems and delay getting an accurate diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptoms severity may differ. Some people experience milder symptoms that are called high-functioning ADHD. Others have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily activities.
The good news is that there are treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD which include cognitive behavior therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical therapy for behavioral disorders. These therapies can help improve self-regulation and impulse control, as well as teach you to manage your emotions.
There are also a number medications that can be 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, including atomoxetine (Strattera) viloxazine (Qelbree) and clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can provide more about these drugs, including their advantages and potential risks. Your doctor might also offer other suggestions to help you manage your symptoms. Planners can be used to stay on top of things, or take notes during meetings and make reminders. You may also benefit from joining an women's ADHD support group.