ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD frequently develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. These may include building an agenda for the day and setting phone reminders. They could also employ bravado as a way to avoid social isolation.
Their coping strategies may become unsustainable. They could also develop co-occurring conditions like mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviours such as cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women with ADHD tend to be inattentive, which makes it harder for them to stay focused on their work and are more likely to forget things. They may also have difficulties managing their work and personal lives, which may impact their work performance. They might not attend appointments, not pay bills and can be susceptible to procrastination. They might have difficulty in math or reading. These problems may get worse when, prior to and after menopausal symptoms.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for girls and women to be diagnosed with ADHD because they are more adept 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 may be viewed by others as less acceptable, especially if impulsive and chaotic.
The good news is that it's possible for women with ADHD to lead full, happy and fulfilling lives. It is important to find a doctor who is knowledgeable about the disorder and can explain the way it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which aids patients recognize negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a combination of CBT with other therapeutic practices to improve self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy assists people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD often have a problem with rejection sensitivity. This is a strong emotional reaction to rejection whether it is real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them to keep relationships. This can mean that they are more likely to seek out casual sexual partners and 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 work, at school or in other social environments. They may also find it difficult to read body language and pick up social cues.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD are unable to wait or feel the need to move forward. This can make it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. It may also be challenging for women to follow through on their commitments and social activities. Women may also experience emotional outbursts or lack in self-control.
It is essential for women suffering from ADHD to seek assistance when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can help improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to lessen or eliminate symptoms by making changes in lifestyle as well as therapy and medication.
A good night's rest can reduce ADHD symptoms. A routine for bedtime and a slowed down screen time at night, and eating on a regular schedule can all help improve sleeping habits. A woman suffering from ADHD could benefit from blankets that are weighted or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression, although not an indicator of ADHD is a common occurrence in women who suffer from the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or other deeper issues like low self-esteem and relationships issues. Women with ADD frequently struggle with self-esteem because they don't perform as well as other women and girls their older. Having difficulty with social interaction and being unable to recognize social cues can cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women can have a harder time getting diagnosed with ADD. This is because doctors often mistake the symptoms of ADD in women for symptoms that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially relevant during pregnancy and puberty, as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transition when hormones are undergoing changes.
It is also more easy for women to conceal their symptoms than for boys and men. Additionally, society has a lot of expectations for women. It can be stressful to juggle with the symptoms of ADHD. This can cause stress, depression, and anxiety. It can be a contributing factor to the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which is common in teens and young women suffering from ADHD.
adhd in adult women act quickly and without thinking when you have impulsive ADHD symptoms. You're not patiently waiting to be the first person to speak in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt others or finish their sentences. You may also be unable to judge the social appropriateness of your actions. These actions can affect your ability to keep the relationship or job you have and they can make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family members, friends and coworkers.
Women suffering from hyperactive ADHD have trouble controlling their emotions. This can lead to conflict in relationships and the workplace. They might feel that other people are criticizing or disrespecting them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. They may not be able to finish tasks at home or at work, or misplace their keys or wallet. They could be prone to spending money on things that do not bring value or forget important dates and appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD may conceal their symptoms. This is particularly the case in their professional lives. They may have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services that can help them cope with the disorganization which can cause them to miss deadlines, forget appointments or pay their bills. It may 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 may 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 women with an impulsive type of ADHD might go undiagnosed include depression, which often coexists with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior that is associated with ADD can be hard for those suffering from depression to control, and it's difficult to treat the depression while being afflicted by impulsive behavior. Those impulsive behaviors can also contribute towards the feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that some women with ADD experience. This can be made worse by the lack of support from loved ones.
Depression
Women with ADHD might experience symptoms similar to depression. These can include feeling low and worthless, having trouble in concentrating or sleeping or being angry and easily angry. A lot of times, these two disorders are combined and treated together by a physician. Depression and ADD can affect your relationships with others. Your inability to concentrate and pay attention can cause frustrations and miscommunications which can lead you to conflicts. In school or at work, these problems can cause coworkers and colleagues to interpret your behavior as hostile, disinterest or lack of commitment.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to diagnose depression and ADHD. They often change their behavior to fit in with society expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotional. In some instances they may resort to unhealthy methods to cope, like excessive alcohol consumption and use of drugs especially during the adolescent years. This can also make it difficult for them to recognize their ADHD is causing their issues and delay getting an accurate diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from individual to individual even within the same family. Some people have milder symptoms, and are known as high-functioning ADHD. Some people have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily lives.
The good news is that there are treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD which include cognitive behavior therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. These therapies can aid in improving self-regulation and control of impulses and also teach you to manage your emotions.
In addition there are a myriad 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). There are other non-stimulants such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) as well as Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will be able to tell you more about these medications as well as their benefits and dangers. They may also give you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. You can use a planner to stay on top of things or make notes during meetings and record reminders. You could also benefit by joining an women's ADHD support group.
