ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms. Some of these include creating an everyday routine and setting up phone reminders. They can also use bravado as a buffer against social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms could become ineffective. They may also develop compulsive disorders, such as mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviours such as 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 also may have issues organizing their personal and professional lives, which may affect their work performance. They might miss appointments, not pay bills, and are prone to procrastination. They may have difficulty reading or doing math. These issues can get worse when, prior to and after menopause.
Experts believe that girls and women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose 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 could be viewed as less socially acceptable particularly if they're chaotic or impulsive.
The good news is that it is possible for women with ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. But it's crucial to find a provider who is well-versed in the disorder and knows how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients identify negative beliefs and thoughts that lead to problematic behaviors; neurocognitive psychotherapy, a combination of CBT and other therapeutic practices that are designed to improve self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavioral therapy, which helps individuals develop skills that assist them in managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are also often afflicted with sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection that makes it more difficult for them to maintain relationships. This could mean that they are more likely to look for intimate partners, engage in sexually risky behaviors or have unplanned pregnancies.
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 fit in with others at school, at work or in other social environments. They may also have difficulty learning to read bodylanguage and detect social cues.
Impatient
Women who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to wait or are driven to move forward. This can make it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to fulfill their social obligations or stick to their commitments. They also have to deal with emotional outbursts and lack of self-control.
When women are experiencing symptoms of ADHD It is essential to seek assistance. Treatment can help improve their lives and increase self-esteem and confidence. It is also possible to lessen or eliminate symptoms through modifications to lifestyle, therapy and medication.
A restful night's sleep can reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine and a reduction in the time you spend on screens at night, and eating on a regular schedule can all help improve sleeping habits. A woman with ADHD may also benefit from using blankets that are weighted or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression is common among women with ADHD, even though it's not an indication of the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating effects of untreated ADD, or related issues such as low self-esteem and relationship difficulties. Women who suffer from ADD often struggle with self-esteem as they aren't performing in the same way as women of similar older. Inability to recognize social cues and difficulty in social interactions may cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women may have a tougher when it comes to being diagnosed with ADD. This is due to the fact that doctors often make the mistake of interpreting the symptoms of ADD in women as symptoms that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly evident during puberty, pregnancy and during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormone levels are changing.
Women can also hide their symptoms more easily than boys or men. Additionally there are a lot of expectations for women, which can be difficult to manage with the symptoms of ADHD. undiagnosed adhd in women can lead depression, stress and anxiety. It could also play a role in the development non-suicidal-self-injury which is a common occurrence among teens and young women who have ADHD.
Impulsive
If you suffer from impulsive-type ADHD symptoms You're quick to react without thinking. You don't want to wait to get your turn in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt others or finish their sentences. You also have difficulty judging the social adequacy of your actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to maintain your job or maintain a relationship and can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family, friends and coworkers.
Women with impulsive type ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions, which can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They may feel that others are judging them or disdaining them because they can't concentrate or keep up. They may not be able to complete tasks at work or at home, or they might misplace their keys or wallet. They could be at risk of spending money on things that are not valuable or they may forget important dates or appointments.
Some women with ADHD can conceal their symptoms, especially 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. They might find it easier to cope with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their loved ones than in the workplace.
Gender bias could be one of the reasons why women suffering from 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 women with impulsive-type ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. Patients suffering from depression might have difficulty in attempting to manage the impulsive behavior that are associated with ADD. It is also difficult to treat depression when impulsive behaviour is present. Those impulsive symptoms can also contribute to feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt that women suffering from ADD have, which may be compounded by a lack of support from family members.
Here are a few ways to lower your risk:
Women with ADHD can have symptoms that are similar to those seen in depression. This can include feeling depressed and unimportant, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating, or being irritable and easily annoyed. Many times, the two conditions are paired and treated together by a doctor. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships with other people. In romantic or platonic partnerships your issues with focus and attention can cause frustration and miscommunication that can cause conflict. In work or school settings These issues can cause coworkers and colleagues to interpret your behavior as insecurity, hostility, or lack of commitment.
adhd in older women and ADHD in women can be more difficult to identify than men because women are better at hiding their symptoms. They tend to alter their behavior to conform to social expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotionally unstable. In some cases, they resort to unhealthy methods to cope, such as excessive drinking and drug use, especially in the adolescent years. This could make it difficult for them to understand that their ADHD is the cause of their issues, and can delay getting a diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from person to person, even within the same family. Some suffer from milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some people have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily life.
There are several treatment options available for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive therapy (NCP) and dialectical behavior therapy. These therapies can improve self-regulation and impulse control. They also teach you to manage your emotions.
There are also a number medications that can be prescribed to treat ADHD among 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 risks of these medications. Your doctor might also offer other suggestions to help you manage your symptoms. For instance, you could use a planner and note-taking reminders and taking notes during meetings to help you stay on track. You may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.