ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. These include establishing an everyday schedule and setting reminders for phone calls. They can also use bravado to ward off social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ may not be sustainable. They may also develop comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and self-harming behaviors such as cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women with ADHD tend to have the inattention subtype which makes it difficult for them to remain focused on tasks and more likely to forget things. They can also have trouble with organizing their professional and personal lives, which may affect their work performance. They may miss appointments, fail to pay bills and can be prone to procrastination. They might have difficulty reading or doing math. These problems may get worse in the months prior to, and following menopause.
Experts believe that girls and women are better at hiding their symptoms, making it harder 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 are often viewed as less socially acceptable, especially if they are unorganized or impulsive.
The good news is that it is possible for women with ADHD to live full, happy and fulfilling lives. It is important to find a provider who is knowledgeable about the disorder and understands how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists patients identify negative beliefs and thoughts that result in problematic behavior Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is a combination of CBT and other therapies that are designed to improve impulse control and self-regulation and dialectical behavior therapy, which assists patients develop the skills needed to help them manage emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
inattentive add in women with ADHD also often struggle with rejection sensitivity, an intense emotional response to real or perceived rejection which makes it harder to keep relationships. This can lead to women who suffer from ADHD being more likely than other women to engage in sexually risky actions, become pregnant unintentionally 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 makes it difficult for them to be a part of a group at school, at work or in other social settings. It can also be difficult for them to comprehend body language and pick up on social cues.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD are unable to stay in a rut 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 may also be challenging for women to keep up on their commitments and social activities. Women may also experience emotional outbursts or a lack of self-control.
When women are experiencing symptoms of ADHD It is crucial to seek out help. Treatment can make a difference in their lives and increase self-esteem and confidence. It is also possible to minimize or eliminate symptoms by making modifications to lifestyle as well as therapy and medication.
Sleeping enough can help reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine, limiting the time you spend on screens at night, and eating on a regular basis can all help improve sleeping habits. A woman suffering from ADHD can benefit from blankets that are weighted or soothing music to help them fall asleep.
Depression is common among women with ADHD however, it's not a sign of the condition. It may occur as a result of the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or due to underlying issues like low self-esteem, low work performance and difficulty in relationships. Women who suffer from ADD are often struggling with self-esteem since they do not perform as well as other women and girls their older. They have difficulty socializing and being unable to recognize social cues can also cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be more difficult for women to be diagnosed with ADD than males. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is particularly true during puberty, pregnancy and during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormone levels are changing.
It is also easier for women to hide their symptoms than it is for boys and men. It can be difficult to balance the demands of society with ADHD symptoms. This can cause anxiety, depression, and stress. It could also contribute to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which is common in teens and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
If you suffer from impulsive-type ADHD symptoms, you're quick to act without thinking. You aren't able to wait for your turn to speak in a conversation, and you're more likely to interrupt or finish other people's sentences. You might also find it difficult to judge appropriateness of your actions in the context of social situations. 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 hyperactive ADHD have trouble controlling their emotions. This can cause conflicts in relationships and at the workplace. They may feel that others are judging them or disdaining them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. They may not be able to finish tasks at work or at home or even lose their wallet or keys. They might be inclined to spending money on things that are not valuable or they may forget important dates or appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can conceal their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretary or cleaning services that can assist them in overcoming the disorganization which can cause them to miss deadlines, forget appointments or pay their bills. It may be easier for them to manage their impulse-driven ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than in 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 often caused by or is co-exists with ADD is also the reason for why a woman suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD may not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD can be difficult for people suffering from depression to manage, and it can be difficult to manage depression when dealing with the impulsive behavior. Those impulsive symptoms can also contribute to the feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that women suffering from ADD have, which can be compounded by a lack of support from loved ones.
The following are some ways to lower your risk of contracting a disease:
Women with ADHD can have symptoms similar to those experienced in depression. The symptoms may include feeling worthless and low and having trouble getting enough sleep or concentrating, as well as being irritable. A lot of times, these two disorders are combined and treated by a physician. Depression and ADD can also affect your relationships with others. Your inability to concentrate and pay attention can result in frustrations and misunderstandings which can lead you to conflicts. These problems can lead to coworkers or colleagues not understanding your behaviour in school or work situations as a lack of interest, commitment or hostility.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms, making it more difficult to recognize depression and ADHD. They often change their behavior to meet societal expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive drinking and drug abuse, particularly during the adolescent years. This can also make it hard for them to recognize that their ADHD is the cause of their problems and delay getting an accurate diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can differ from one person to another even within the same family. Some suffer from milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Certain people experience severe symptoms that affect their daily lives.
The good news is that there are treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD that include cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical therapy for behavior. These treatments can help improve self-regulation and control of impulses and also help you manage your emotions.
There are a variety of medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD among adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants are also available like atomoxetine (Strattera) viloxazine (Qelbree) as well as clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can provide more about these drugs, including their benefits and dangers. They may also give you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. For instance, you could use a planner, writing down reminders, and taking notes at meetings to keep your schedule organized. You may also benefit from joining an women's ADHD support group.