ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD often develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. These may include building an everyday schedule and setting reminders for phone calls. They may also use bravado to shield themselves from social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ may not be sustainable. They may also develop comorbid disorders like mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women with ADHD are more likely to be distracted, meaning they have a harder time staying focused and are more likely to lose track of things. They can also have trouble organizing their personal and professional lives, which may affect their performance at work. They may miss appointments, not pay bills, and are inclined to delay their work. They might have difficulty reading or doing math. These issues can get worse when, prior to and after menopausal symptoms.
Experts believe that girls and women are better at hiding their symptoms, making it more 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). adult female adhd symptoms could be viewed as less socially acceptable, especially if they are impulsive or disorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women suffering from ADHD to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. It is important to select a professional who is knowledgeable about the disorder and understands how it affects women. There are a variety of treatment options, including cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that can result in problematic behavior Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is which is a blend of CBT and other therapies designed to improve self-regulation and impulse control; and dialectical behavior therapy, which assists individuals develop skills that help manage their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are also often afflicted with sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection that makes it more difficult for them to keep relationships going. This can result in women with ADHD being more prone than other women to engage in sexually risky 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 make friends at work, school or in other social settings. They might also have difficulty learning to read body language and detect social cues.
Impatient
Women with ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to stay in a rut or are driven to move forward. This can make it hard to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the home or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to keep their social commitments or keep their commitments. Women may also experience emotional outbursts or lack of self-control.
It is important for women with ADHD to seek assistance when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can help improve their lives and boost their confidence and self-esteem. With changes in lifestyle, medication and therapy it is possible to decrease or eliminate the symptoms.
Getting enough sleep can also aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. The way you sleep can be improved with following a routine for bedtime, limiting the amount of screen time at night and eating according to a schedule. Women suffering from ADHD might also benefit from a heavier quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women suffering from ADHD although it's not a symptom of the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating effect of untreated ADD or other deeper issues like low self-esteem and relationships issues. Women who suffer from ADD tend to be lacking self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as girls and women of the same age. Inability to discern social cues and difficulty with social interactions can cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to be diagnosed with ADD than men. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is particularly relevant during pregnancy, puberty and during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormone levels are changing.
Women can also hide their symptoms more easily than men or boys. Additionally there are many expectations for women. It can be difficult to manage with symptoms of ADHD. This can lead stress, depression, and anxiety. It can also contribute to the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which is common in teens and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
If you're suffering from impulsive type ADHD symptoms, you're quick to act without thinking. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak during the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or complete sentences of others. You also have difficulty judging the appropriateness of your social actions. These behaviors can affect your ability to maintain your job or maintain a relationship and can make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family, colleagues and friends.
Women with impulsive-type ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions and this can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They may feel that others are judging them or are disrespectful because they can't keep up or focus. They may not be able to complete tasks at work or at home or lose their wallet or keys. They may be prone towards spending money on items that aren't worth the money or they could lose track of important dates or appointments.
Some women with ADHD are able to hide their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They may have assistants, a 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 could be easier for them to deal with their impulse-driven ADHD symptoms at home with their friends and family than in the office.
Gender bias is one reason why women suffering from impulsive-type ADHD are not diagnosed. 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 why a woman with impulsive-type ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. Depression sufferers may have difficulty attempting to control the impulsive behaviors that are characteristic of ADD. It is also difficult to deal with depression when impulsive behavior is present. These impulsive symptoms may contribute to the feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that women suffering from ADD have, which can be compounded by the lack of support from family members.
Depression
Women who suffer from ADHD can have symptoms similar to those seen in depression. These symptoms can include feeling worthless and low and having trouble sleeping or concentrating, and being anxious. In many cases, the two conditions are paired and treated by a doctor. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships with others. In platonic or romantic relationships your struggles with focus and attention can create tension and confusion that can cause conflict. These problems can lead to colleagues or coworkers not understanding your behaviour in school or work settings as a lack of commitment, disinterest or hostility.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to diagnose depression and ADHD. They change their behavior in order to conform to social expectations and avoid being labeled weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly in the adolescent stage. This can make it difficult for them to recognize their ADHD is causing their problems and delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from person to person, even within the same family. Some people experience milder symptoms that are called high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that hinder their lives.
The good news is that there are treatment options for adults with ADHD which include cognitive behavior therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. These treatments can help improve self-regulation, impulse control, and teach you to manage your emotions.
Additionally, there are a number of drugs that 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 tell you more about these drugs along with their advantages and potential risks. Your doctor might also offer other suggestions to help you manage your symptoms. Planners can be used to stay organized and take notes during meetings and record reminders. You may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.