ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD develop strategies to manage their symptoms. These may include building a daily schedule and setting reminders for phone calls. They may also use bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms may become ineffective. They could also develop comorbid disorders like mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviors such as cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be distracted, meaning they have a difficult time staying focused and are more likely to lose track of things. They can also have trouble organizing their professional and personal lives, which can impact their performance at work. They may miss appointments, not pay bills and can be susceptible to procrastination. They might have trouble reading or doing math. These issues can become more difficult before, during and after menopausal transition.
Many experts believe it is more difficult for women and girls 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). These behaviors could be viewed as unsocially acceptable particularly if they're unorganized or impulsive.
read this article is that it is possible for women with ADHD to live full, happy and fulfilling lives. It's important to choose a professional who is knowledgeable about the disorder and how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that can result in problematic behavior; neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is a combination of CBT and other therapies designed to improve impulse control and self-regulation; and dialectical behavior therapy, which helps individuals develop skills that help manage their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD also often struggle with sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection that makes it more difficult to keep relationships. This could mean that they are more likely to look for romantic partners on a casual basis, engage in sexually risky behaviors 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 fit in with others at school, at work or in other social situations. They may be unable to read body language and detect social cues.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to wait for something or feel the urgent need to move on. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. It may also be challenging for women to stay focused on their commitments and social interactions. They can also struggle with emotional outbursts as well as a lack of self-control.
It is important for women suffering from ADHD to seek help when they are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can help improve their lives and increase confidence and self-esteem. Through changes in lifestyle, medication and therapy it is possible to lessen or completely eliminate the symptoms.
A restful night's sleep can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. A good bedtime routine and a reduction in screen time at night, and eating according to a schedule can all help improve sleeping habits. A woman suffering from ADHD may also benefit from using 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 is often caused by the debilitating effect of untreated ADD, or related issues such as low self-esteem and relationship difficulties. Women with ADD frequently struggle with self-esteem since they aren't performing as well as other girls and women their age. Being unable to interact with others and a lack of ability to recognize social cues can contribute to their feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women have a difficult time getting diagnosed with ADD. This is because doctors frequently make the mistake of interpreting the symptoms of ADD in women for signs that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially relevant during pregnancy, puberty and during perimenopause and menopause when hormones are undergoing changes.
It is also more easy for women to conceal their symptoms than it is for men and boys. It can be challenging to balance the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and stress. It could also play a role in self-injury that is not suicide-related which is common among teens and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
If you're suffering from impulsive type ADHD symptoms you're quick to make decisions without thinking. You don't want to wait to be the first person to speak in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt others or end their sentences. You may also be unable to judge the social appropriateness of your actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to keep a job or a relationship and they can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family members, friends and coworkers.
Women with hyperactive ADHD have trouble controlling their emotions. This can cause conflicts in relationships and at in the workplace. They may feel like others are critical or disrespectful because they can't keep up or concentrate. They may be unable to finish tasks at work or at home or even lose their keys or wallet. They might be inclined to spending money on items that are not valuable or they could forget important dates or appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD are able to conceal their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them cope with the chaos that can make them forget appointments, not pay bills or fail to meet deadlines. They may find it easier to cope with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home with their family members than at the workplace.
Gender bias is a 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 typically caused by or is co-exists with ADD is also a reason why a woman with impulsive type ADHD may not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior that comes with ADD can be hard for those suffering from depression to control, and it's difficult to manage depression when struggling with the impulsive behavior. These impulsive symptoms may cause feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that women suffering from ADD have, which may be compounded by the lack of support from family members.
Here are a few ways to lower your risk:
Women suffering from ADHD may experience symptoms similar to depression. These can include feeling low and depressed, having difficulty in concentrating or sleeping or being anxious and easily annoyed. A lot of times, these two conditions are combined and treated together by a doctor. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships. Inability to focus and pay attention can result in frustrations and misunderstandings which can lead you into conflicts. These issues can lead to colleagues or coworkers misinterpreting your behavior in school or at work situations as a lack of commitment, disinterest or hostility.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder to diagnose depression and ADHD. They often change their behavior to conform to social expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotional. In some cases they turn to unhealthy methods of coping, such as excessive drinking and drug use especially during the adolescent years. This can make it difficult for them to realize that their ADHD is the cause of their issues, and can delay getting a correct diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can differ from individual to individual, even within the same family. Certain people have milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some sufferers have severe symptoms that affect their daily activities.
There are a variety of treatment options for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive therapy (NCP), and dialectical behavior therapy. These treatments can help improve self-regulation and impulse control. They also help you manage your emotions.
In addition to that, there are a variety of medications 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, the clonidine and guanfacine. Your doctor can provide more about these drugs along with their benefits and risks. They may also give you suggestions on how to deal with your symptoms. You can use a planner 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.