ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD develop coping strategies to manage their symptoms. These include establishing an agenda for the day and setting reminders on their phones. They can also make use of bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
Their coping strategies may become unsustainable. They may also develop comorbid disorders such as depression, anxiety, and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women with ADHD are more likely to be unfocused and have a harder time staying focused and are more likely to forget things. They may also have difficulties organizing their personal and work lives, which can impact their work performance. They might not attend appointments, or fail to pay their bills and may be susceptible to procrastination. They might have difficulty in math or reading. These problems can worsen during, before and after menopause.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for females and females to get diagnosed with ADHD because they are better at 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 are often viewed as unsocially acceptable particularly if they're impulsive or disorganized.
The good news is that it is possible for women suffering from ADHD to live full, happy and fulfilling lives. However, adhd in adults women to find a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder and can explain how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which aids patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that lead to problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy combines CBT with other therapeutic practices to enhance impulse control and self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy assists individuals develop skills for managing emotions and improving interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD also have a tendency to struggle with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection which makes it harder for them to keep relationships going. This means that they are more likely to pursue casual sexual partners and engage in sexually risky behavior or even have unplanned pregnancy.
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 difficult to be accepted at school, work or other social situations. It can also be challenging for them to comprehend body language and pick up on social signals.
Impatient
Women with ADHD are unable to stay in a rut or feel the need to move forward. This can make it difficult for them to accomplish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. Women might also have difficulty to keep their social commitments or follow through with their commitments. Women may also experience emotional outbursts or lack in self-control.
If a woman is experiencing symptoms of ADHD, it is important that they seek help. Treatment can help improve their lives and boost their confidence and self-esteem. Through lifestyle changes as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's rest can help reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine, limiting screen time at night, and eating on a regular schedule can all aid in improving sleeping habits. Women who suffer from ADHD might also benefit from a heavier quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression, although not an indication of ADHD, is common in women with the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or due to root causes like low self-esteem, low work performance, and difficulties with relationships. Women who suffer from ADD are usually low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform well as women and girls similar to them. They have difficulty socializing and being unable to detect social cues can cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women may have a tougher time getting diagnosed with ADD. This is due to the fact that doctors often make the mistake of interpreting the symptoms of ADD in women for signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly true during puberty, pregnancy and during perimenopause and menopause when hormones are undergoing changes.
Women are also able to hide their symptoms better than men or boys. It can be challenging to manage the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can cause stress, depression, and anxiety. It could also be a factor in the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which is prevalent in teenagers and young women suffering from ADHD.
Impulsive
You are quick and without thinking when you suffer from impulsive ADHD symptoms. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak in the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or complete sentences of others. It can also be difficult to judge the appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These behaviors can impact your ability to maintain a job or a relationship and make it difficult to meet the expectations of family, colleagues and friends.
Women with impulsive type ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions and this can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that people are critical or disrespectful because they can't keep up or focus. They may not be able complete tasks at home or at work or even lose their keys or wallet. They might be inclined to spending money on things that are not valuable or they could lose track of important dates or appointments.
Women with ADHD may conceal their symptoms. This is especially the case in their professional lives. They may have assistants, secretary or cleaning services who help them deal with the disorder that can lead them to be late for deadlines, forget appointments or even pay bills. They may be able to deal with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their family members than at the workplace.
Gender bias is one of the reasons women with impulsive type 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 suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior that comes with ADD can be difficult for depression sufferers to manage, and it's a challenge to treat depression while dealing with the impulsive behavior. These impulsive behaviors may contribute towards the feelings of self-doubt, and a sense of worthlessness that some women with ADD experience. This can be made worse by a lack support from family members.
Depression
Women suffering from ADHD might exhibit symptoms that are similar to those that are seen in depression. These symptoms can include feeling unworthy and low as well as difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and being irritable. In many cases, the two conditions are paired and treated by a doctor. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships with others. Your inability to focus and pay attention can result in confusion and frustration, which may lead you into conflict. These problems can lead to coworkers or colleagues thinking that your behaviour in school or work settings as lack of interest, commitment or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women can be more difficult to identify than men due to women being more adept at masking their symptoms. They alter their behavior to comply with social norms and avoid being labelled as weak or emotionally unstable. In some cases they turn to unhealthy ways to cope, such as excessive alcohol consumption and use of drugs, especially in adolescence. This could make it difficult for them to understand that their ADHD is the cause of their issues, and can delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from one person to another even within the same family. Certain people experience milder symptoms, which are known as high-functioning ADHD. Others have severe symptoms that affect their daily lives.
There are many treatment options available for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive therapy (NCP), and dialectical behavior therapy. These therapies can help improve self-regulation and impulse control. They also teach you to manage your emotions.
There are a variety of medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). There are also non-stimulants available such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree), clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will be able to explain the benefits and dangers of these drugs. Your doctor might also offer other suggestions to help you manage your symptoms. Planners can be used to stay on top of things and take notes during meetings and record reminders. You could also benefit by joining a women's ADHD support group.