ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD often develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. Some of these include creating a daily routine and establishing phone reminders. They can also make use of bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ may become unsustainable. They may also develop compulsive disorders, such as mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be inattentive, meaning they are more difficult to stay focused and tend to forget things. They may also have trouble organizing their personal and professional lives, which may affect their performance at work. They might miss appointments, fail to pay bills or put off paying bills. They might have difficulty understanding or completing math. recommended site may get worse during, before and after menopausal changes.
Experts believe that girls and women are better at hiding their symptoms, making it more difficult to diagnose 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 can be perceived by others as being less acceptable particularly if they are impulsive and unorganized.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to lead full, happy and fulfilled lives. It is essential to select a professional who is familiar with the disorder and understands how it affects women. There are a variety of treatment options, including cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that can lead to problematic behaviors neurocognitive psychotherapy, a combination of CBT and other therapies designed to improve self-regulation and impulse control; and dialectical behavior therapy, which assists patients develop the skills needed to help manage their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women suffering from ADHD often have a problem with rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection whether it's real or perceived. This causes them to be unable to maintain relationships. This can result in women with ADHD being more prone than other women to engage in risky sexual behaviors, get pregnant without planning 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 make friends at school, work or in other social situations. It can also be challenging for them to comprehend body language and recognize social cues.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel a urgent need to move on. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to stick to their social obligations or stick to their commitments. Women can also have emotional outbursts, or be lacking of self-control.
It is crucial for women with ADHD to seek help when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and increase confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to minimize or eliminate symptoms with changes in lifestyle, therapy and medication.
A good night's sleep can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Sleeping habits can be improved with a good bedtime routine and limiting the amount of screen time at night and eating on an established schedule. A person suffering from ADHD may also benefit from using blankets that are weighted or soothing music to help them fall asleep.
Depression is common for women suffering from ADHD although it's not a sign of the condition. It could be the result of the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or due to root causes like low self-esteem, poor work performance, and difficulties with relationships. Women who suffer from ADD are often low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform well as women and girls of the same age. Inability to discern social cues and difficulties with social interactions can also cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be more difficult for women to get diagnosed with ADD than it is for men. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is particularly evident during pregnancy and puberty as well as during perimenopause or menopause, when hormones are changing.
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 society and ADHD symptoms. This can cause anxiety, depression, and anxiety. It can also be a factor in the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which is prevalent in teenagers and young women who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
If you're suffering from impulsive type ADHD symptoms, you're quick to act without thinking. You're not able to wait for your turn to speak during the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or finish sentences of others. You also have difficulty judging the social adequacy of your actions. These behaviors can affect your ability to maintain your job or maintain a relationship and can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family members, friends and coworkers.
Women who suffer from an impulsive ADHD have trouble managing their emotions. This can cause conflict in relationships as well as the workplace. They may feel that others are criticizing or disrespecting them because they are unable to focus or keep up. They may not be able to finish tasks at the office or at home or lose their wallet or keys. They might be prone to spending money on items that don't bring value or forget important dates and appointments.
Some women who have ADHD are able to conceal their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They might have secretaries, assistants or cleaning services to help them deal with the disorganization that can cause them to forget appointments, not pay bills or miss deadlines. They may find it easier to deal with their impulsive ADHD symptoms when they're at home with their loved ones than in the workplace.
Gender bias could be one of the reasons women who suffer from 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 why women suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. Depression sufferers may have difficulty attempting to manage the impulsive behaviors that come with ADD. It is also difficult to treat depression when impulsive behavior is present. The impulsive behavior can contribute to feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that some women with ADD suffer from, which can be compounded by a lack of support from family members.
Depression
Women who suffer from ADHD might exhibit symptoms similar to those that are seen in depression. The symptoms may include feeling depressed and worthless, having difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and being anxious. Doctors often combine the two disorders and treat them in conjunction. Depression and ADD may also affect your relationships. Your inability to focus and pay attention can result in confusion and frustration, which may lead you to conflicts. These issues can lead to coworkers or colleagues thinking that your behavior in school or at work settings as a lack of interest, commitment or hostility.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to recognize depression and ADHD. They alter their behavior to comply with social norms and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some cases, they resort to unhealthy methods of coping, such as excessive alcohol and substance use especially during the adolescent years. This makes it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the root of their issues, and can delay getting a diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptom severity may differ. Certain people experience milder symptoms, and are known as high-functioning ADHD. Some sufferers have severe symptoms that affect their daily activities.
There are several treatment options available for adults suffering from ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive therapy (NCP) and dialectical behavior therapy. These treatments can help improve self-regulation and impulse control, as well as teach you to manage your emotions.
Additionally, there are a number 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, viloxazine, clonidine, and guanfacine. Your doctor can tell you more about these drugs along with their advantages and potential risks. Your doctor may also have other suggestions to help you manage your symptoms. You can use a planner to stay organized, or take notes during meetings and record reminders. You may also benefit from joining a women's ADHD support group.