ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD frequently develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms. This could include creating an agenda for the day and setting phone reminders. They could also employ bravado as a buffer against social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms may become unsustainable. They may also experience compulsive disorders, such as anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be inattentive, which makes it harder to keep their attention on tasks and more likely to forget things. They can also have trouble managing their professional and personal lives, which could affect their work performance. They might miss appointments, fail to pay bills and can be prone to procrastination. They may have trouble understanding or completing math. These issues can get worse when, prior to and after menopausal symptoms.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for girls and women 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 by others as unacceptable especially if they are impulsive or disorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women with ADHD to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. However, it's important to find a professional who is well-versed in the disorder and understands the way it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which assists patients recognize negative thoughts and beliefs 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 helps people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are also often afflicted with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection that makes it difficult to keep relationships. This means that they are more likely to look for romantic partners on a casual basis or engage in risky sexual 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 could make it difficult to make friends with other people at school, at work or in other social environments. They might also have difficulty learning to understand body language and pick up social signals.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often find it difficult to wait for something or feel a urgent need to complete the task. This can make it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to keep their social commitments or stick to their commitments. Women can also have emotional outbursts or a lack in self-control.
It is crucial for women with ADHD to seek treatment when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and increase their confidence and self-esteem. With undiagnosed adhd in women as medication and therapy, it is possible to decrease or eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's rest can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. The way you sleep can be improved through having a regular bedtime routine by limiting screen time at night and eating on a schedule. Women who suffer from ADHD may also benefit from a weighted quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression is common among women with ADHD although it's not a symptom of the condition. It may occur as a result of the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or due to root issues, such as low self-esteem, low work performance and difficulty with relationships. Women who suffer from ADD are often struggling with self-esteem as they do not perform like women of similar age. Being unable to interact with others and a lack of ability to pick up on social signals can contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to get diagnosed with ADD than it is for males. This is because doctors frequently misinterpret the symptoms of ADD in women for symptoms that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially evident during pregnancy and puberty and also during perimenopause or menopause, when hormones are changing.
Women are also able to hide their symptoms more easily than boys or men. In addition there are a lot of expectations for women that can be stressful to juggle with the symptoms of ADHD. This can lead stress, depression, and anxiety. It may be a contributing factor to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which is a common occurrence in teens and young women suffering from ADHD.
Impulsive
When you have impulsive-type ADHD symptoms you're quick to make decisions without thinking. You're not patiently waiting for your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt others or interrupt them in their conversation. You may also find it difficult to judge the appropriateness of your actions in the context of social situations. These actions can impact your ability to keep relationships or even a job and can make it hard to meet the expectations of family friends, colleagues and other family members.
Women who suffer from hyperactive ADHD have a hard time controlling their emotions. This can lead to conflicts in relationships and at in the workplace. They may feel like others are unkind or apathetic because they are unable to keep up or focus. They may not be able to finish tasks at work or home, or misplace their keys or wallet. They may be prone towards spending money on items that aren't valuable, or they may lose track of important dates or appointments.
Some women with ADHD may conceal their symptoms. This is particularly the case in their professional lives. They may have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services who can help them cope with the chaos that can cause them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or even pay bills. It might be easier for them to manage their impulsive ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than at the office.
Gender bias may 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 a woman with impulsive-type ADHD may not be recognized is depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior that is associated with ADD can be hard for those suffering from depression to control, and it's difficult to treat depression while dealing with impulsive behavior. These impulsive symptoms may contribute to the feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that some women with ADD have, which can be compounded by a lack of support from family members.
Depression
Women with ADHD may exhibit symptoms similar to depression. This can include feeling depressed and unimportant, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating or being angry and easily angered. In many cases, the two disorders are combined and treated by a doctor. Depression and ADD may also affect your relationships. Inability to focus and pay attention can lead to confusion and frustration which can lead you into conflict. In school or at work These issues can make colleagues and coworkers think that your behavior is a sign of hostility, disinterest, or lack of commitment.
Depression and ADHD in women can be more difficult to identify than males because women are more adept in hiding their symptoms. They often change their behavior to fit in with society expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive drinking and substance abuse, especially during the adolescent stage. This could make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the cause of their problems, and may delay getting a correct diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptom severity can vary. Certain people experience milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some have severe symptoms that affect their daily lives.
The good news is that there are treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD that include cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical therapy for behavior. These therapies can improve self-regulation and impulse control. They also teach you to manage your emotions.
There are a variety of medications that can be 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 like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree), clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can explain the advantages and risks of these drugs. They might also give you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. For example, you might consider using an organizer or notepad to record reminders, and taking notes at meetings to help you stay on track. You could also benefit by joining an women's ADHD support group.