ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD develop strategies to disguise their symptoms. These may include building a daily schedule and setting reminders on their phones. They may also use bravado to ward off social isolation.
However, their coping strategies could become unsustainable. They may also develop co-occurring conditions like anxiety disorders, mood disorders and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be inattentive and have a harder time staying focused and tend to forget things. They may also have difficulties organizing their personal and professional lives, which can impact their work performance. They might not attend appointments, not pay bills or delay their work. They might have trouble in reading or with math. These issues can become more difficult in the months prior to, during or after menopause.
Experts believe that girls and women are more adept at concealing 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). These behaviors could be viewed as being less acceptable to society particularly if they're unorganized or impulsive.
The good news is that it's possible for women suffering from ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. It is important to find a provider who is knowledgeable about the disorder and understands how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which assists patients identify negative beliefs and thoughts that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a combination of CBT with other therapeutic practices to improve impulse control and self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy assists individuals develop skills for managing emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD also have a tendency to struggle with rejection sensitivity, an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection which makes it harder to keep relationships. This can result in women who suffer from ADHD being more likely than other women to engage in risky sexual behavior, have unplanned pregnancy 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 be accepted at school, work or other social situations. They may also have difficulty learning to read body language and pick up social cues.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD find it hard to stay in a rut or feel the need to move forward. This can make it hard to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the home or paying bills. It can also be difficult for women to stay focused on their commitments and social activities. They can also struggle with emotional outbursts and a inability to control their emotions.
It is important for women suffering from ADHD to seek help when they are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and boost their confidence and self-esteem. Through lifestyle changes, medication and therapy it is possible to lessen or eliminate the symptoms.
Sleeping enough can help reduce ADHD symptoms. A good bedtime routine and a slowed down screen time at night, and eating on a regular schedule can all aid in improving sleeping habits. A woman suffering from ADHD can benefit from a weighted blanket or calming music to help them sleep.
Depression, though not an indication of ADHD, is common in women who suffer from the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating consequences of untreated ADD or due to root causes like low self-esteem, poor work performance and difficulty in relationships. Women suffering from ADD tend to be low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as girls and women who are the same age. Inability to read social cues and difficulty in social interactions may result in feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be harder for women to be diagnosed with ADD than it is for males. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially relevant during pregnancy and puberty and also during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones are undergoing changes.
It is also more easy for women to conceal their symptoms than for boys and men. adhd women uk can be challenging to manage the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can cause stress, depression and anxiety. adhd in adult women treatment can also contribute to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which is prevalent in teenagers and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
You act quickly and without thinking when you suffer from impulsive ADHD symptoms. You're not able to wait for your turn to speak in a conversation, and you're more likely to interrupt or end sentences of others. It can also be difficult to determine the social appropriateness or your actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to maintain a job or a relationship and they can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family, colleagues and friends.
Women with impulsive-type ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions, which can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that people are critical or disrespectful because they're unable to keep pace or concentrate. They may not be able to complete tasks at home or at work or even lose their keys or wallet. They could be at risk of spending money on items that aren't valuable, or they may forget important dates or appointments.
Some women who have ADHD can conceal their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They might employ assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them cope with the chaos that can make them miss appointments, forget to pay bills or fail to meet deadlines. It might be easier for them to deal with their impulsive ADHD symptoms at home with their friends and family than in the office.
Gender bias is one reason why women with 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.
Depression, which is often caused by or is co-exists with ADD, can also be a 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 control, and it's difficult to treat depression while struggling with impulsive behavior. These impulsive behaviors may contribute towards the feelings of self-doubt, and a sense of worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD suffer from. This can be exacerbated due to a lack of support from family members.
Depression
Women with ADHD may experience symptoms similar to depression. This can include feeling depressed and unimportant, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating or being anxious and easily angered. A lot of times, these two conditions are combined and treated together by a doctor. Depression and ADD can also affect your relationships with other people. In romantic or platonic partnerships your struggles with attention and focus could heighten frustrations and misunderstandings that can cause conflict. In school or at work These issues can cause colleagues and coworkers to interpret your behavior as hostile, disinterest or lack of commitment.
Women are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose depression and ADHD. They frequently alter their behavior to meet societal expectations and avoid being judged as weak or emotional. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking and drug abuse, particularly in adolescence. This can make it difficult for them to realize that their ADHD is the cause of their issues, and can delay getting a diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptoms severity can vary. Certain people have milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that hinder their daily lives.
There are a variety of treatment options available for adults suffering from ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as neurocognitive therapy (NCP) and dialectical behavior therapy. These therapies can help improve self-regulation, impulse control, and help you manage your emotions.
There are also a number medicines 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 tell you more about the benefits and risks of these medications. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. For instance, you could consider using an organizer or notepad to record reminders, and taking notes during meetings to keep your schedule organized. You might also benefit from joining a women's ADHD support group.