ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. Some of these include establishing a daily routine and establishing phone reminders. They may also use bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
Their coping strategies could become ineffective. They may also develop co-morbid disorders like anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be distracted which means they have a harder time staying focused and are more likely to forget things. They may also have difficulty organizing their personal and work lives, which can hinder their performance at work. They may miss appointments, or fail to pay bills, and are susceptible to procrastination. They might have difficulty in math or reading. These problems may get worse when, prior to and after menopausal changes.
Many experts believe that it is more difficult for girls and women to be diagnosed with ADHD because they are better at masking 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). Those behaviors can be perceived as unsocially acceptable, especially if they are impulsive or disorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women suffering from ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. It is essential to select a professional who is well-versed in the disorder and understands how it affects women. There are a variety of treatment options, including cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists patients recognize negative thoughts and beliefs that lead to problematic behaviors Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is which is a combination of CBT and other therapeutic practices designed to improve self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavioral therapy, which helps patients develop the skills needed to help manage their emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women suffering from ADHD often have a problem with sensitivity to rejection. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection whether it's real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. This means that they are more likely to seek out casual sexual partners and engage in risky sexual 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. It can also be challenging for them to read body language and understand social cues.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel the urgent need to complete the task. This can make it difficult to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning the home or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to stick to their social obligations or keep their commitments. They also have to deal with emotional outbursts and a inability to control their emotions.
It is important for women suffering from ADHD to seek treatment when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can make a difference in their lives and boost confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to lessen or eliminate symptoms by making changes in lifestyle as well as therapy and medication.
Sleeping enough can help reduce ADHD symptoms. The way you sleep can be improved with a good bedtime routine by limiting screen time at night and eating on the schedule. A woman suffering from ADHD could benefit from a weighted blanket or calming music to help them sleep.
Depression, though not an indicator of ADHD is a common occurrence in women with the condition. It can be caused by the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or deeper issues like low self-esteem and relationships issues. Women with ADD are often insecure about their self-esteem because of their inability to perform as well as girls and women who are the same age. Inability to recognize social signals and have difficulty in social interactions may contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women have a difficult when it comes to being diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially evident during puberty, pregnancy and during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormone levels are changing.
Women can also hide their symptoms easier than men or boys. It can be challenging to balance the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can cause stress, depression and anxiety. It can also play a role in the development non-suicidal-self-injury which is common among young women and teens who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
If you're suffering from impulsive type ADHD symptoms you're quick to make decisions without thinking. You aren't able to wait for your turn to speak during the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or complete sentences of others. You may also find it difficult to determine the appropriateness of your actions in the context of social situations. These actions can affect your ability to maintain a job or a relationship and make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family members, colleagues and friends.
Women with hyperactive ADHD struggle with controlling their emotions. This can lead to conflict in relationships as well as the workplace. They may feel that others are judging them or disdaining them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. They might be unable to finish their work at home or at work or lose their wallet or keys. They could be at risk of spending money on things that are not valuable or they may lose track of important dates or appointments.
Some women who have ADHD can conceal their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They may have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services who help them deal with the chaos that can cause them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or even pay 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 is among the reasons why women with impulsive-type ADHD aren't 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.
Depression, which is usually caused by or coexists alongside ADD, can also be one of the reasons for why a woman suffering from impulsive type ADHD might not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD can be hard 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 have, which may be compounded by a lack of support from family members.
Depression
Women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit symptoms similar to depression. These symptoms can include feeling worthless and low and having trouble getting enough sleep or concentrating, as well as being anxious. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD can also affect your relationships with other people. Inability to focus and pay attention can lead to confusion and frustration that can lead to conflicts. In school or at work, these problems can cause colleagues and coworkers to think that your behavior is a sign of insecurity, hostility, or lack of commitment.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making it more difficult to identify depression and ADHD. They frequently alter their behavior to meet societal expectations and avoid being judged as weak or emotional. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking and drug abuse, particularly during the adolescent stage. This can make it hard for them to recognize their ADHD is the cause of their problems and delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can vary from person to person, even within the same family. Some suffer from milder symptoms that are called high-functioning ADHD. Certain people experience severe symptoms which interfere with their daily life.
The good news is that there are treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD, including cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical therapy for behavior. These treatments can help improve self-regulation, impulse control, and teach you to manage your emotions.
In addition to that, there are a variety 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). Non-stimulants include atomoxetine, viloxazine, Clonidine, and Guanfacine. Your doctor can provide more about these drugs as well as their advantages and potential risks. Your doctor could also provide other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. iampsychiatry.uk can be used to keep track of your schedule or make notes during meetings and make reminders. You could also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.