ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD develop coping strategies to manage their symptoms. This could include creating an everyday schedule and setting reminders on their phones. They may also use bravado as a buffer against social isolation.
Their coping strategies could become ineffective. They could also develop comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and self-harming behaviors such as cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women with ADHD are more likely to be inattentive and have a harder time staying focused and are more likely to lose track of things. They may also have difficulty with organizing their professional and personal lives, which may affect their work performance. They might miss appointments, not pay bills or procrastinate. They might have difficulty understanding or completing math. These difficulties can worsen prior to, during and after menopause.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for women and girls to be diagnosed with ADHD because they are more adept 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 can be perceived by others as less acceptable especially if they are impulsive or chaotic.
The good news is that it is possible for women with ADHD to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. It is important to select a provider that 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 identify negative beliefs and thoughts that can cause them to engage in problematic behaviors neurocognitive psychotherapy, a combination of CBT and other therapeutic methods that aim to improve impulse control and self-regulation; and dialectical behavior therapy, which assists individuals develop skills that help them manage emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD often have a problem with sensitivity to rejection. This is a strong emotional reaction to rejection whether it's real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them maintain relationships. This can lead to women with ADHD being more likely than other people to engage in sexually risky actions, become pregnant unintentionally or look for 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 makes it difficult for them to be a part of a group at work, at school or in other social settings. They may be unable to understand body language and pick up social cues.
Impatient
Women with ADHD find it hard to sit still or have a desire to move forward. This can make it hard to finish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying the bills. It may also be challenging for women to stay focused on their commitments and social activities. They can also struggle with emotional outbursts as well as a lack of self-control.
When women experience symptoms of ADHD, it is important to seek out help. Treatment can improve their lives and increase their confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to minimize or eliminate symptoms with lifestyle changes, therapy and medication.
A good night's rest can reduce ADHD symptoms. A routine for bedtime and a reduction in screen time at night and eating on a regular schedule can all contribute to improved sleeping habits. A person suffering from ADHD may also benefit from using a blanket that is weighted or relaxing music to help them fall asleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women suffering from ADHD, even though it's not a sign of the condition. It could be the result of the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or because of the root causes like low self-esteem, poor work performance and difficulty with relationships. Women with ADD are usually low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as women and girls similar to them.
inattentive adhd in women to read social cues and difficulties in social interactions may contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women may have a tougher to be diagnosed with ADD. This is because doctors frequently mistake the symptoms of ADD in women for signs that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly evident during pregnancy and puberty, as well as during perimenopause or menopause as hormones change.
It is also more easy for women to conceal their symptoms than for boys and men. In addition there are a lot of expectations for women. It can be stressful when juggling with symptoms of ADHD. This can cause anxiety, depression, and stress. It could also be a factor in the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which is common in teens and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
If you're suffering from impulsive type ADHD symptoms You're quick to react without thinking. You don't want to wait for your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt others or interrupt them in their conversation. It can also be difficult to judge appropriateness of your actions in the context of social situations. These behaviors can impact your ability to keep a job or a relationship and they can make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family, friends and coworkers.
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 other people are judging or ignoring them because they are unable to focus or keep up. They may not be able complete tasks at work or home or lose their keys or wallet. They may be prone towards spending money on things that aren't valuable, or forget important dates or appointments.
Some women with ADHD are able to conceal their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They might employ assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them deal with the disorder that may cause them to forget appointments, pay bills, or miss deadlines. They might be able to deal with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their loved ones than in the workplace.
Gender bias is a reason why women suffering from 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 why a woman suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD might not be diagnosed. Depression sufferers may have difficulty attempting to manage the impulsive behavior that are characteristic of ADD. It is also difficult to treat depression when impulsive behavior is present. Those impulsive behaviors can also cause feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that some women with ADD experience. This can be exacerbated by a lack support from family members.
Depression
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience symptoms that are similar to depression. They may feel depressed and depressed, having difficulty in concentrating or sleeping, or being irritable and easily angry. In many cases, the two conditions are combined and treated by a physician. Depression and ADD could also impact your relationships. In romantic or platonic partnerships your issues with attention and focus can create tension and confusion that can cause conflict. These problems can lead to coworkers or colleagues thinking that your behavior in work or school settings as lack of commitment, disinterest or hostility.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making it difficult to recognize depression and ADHD. They change their behavior in order to conform to social expectations and avoid being labelled as fragile or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly during the adolescent stage. This can make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the cause of their problems, and may delay getting a diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptoms severity may differ. Certain people have milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some have severe symptoms that affect their daily activities.
There are a variety of 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, as well as help you manage your emotions.
In addition, there are a number of medications that are used 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 will be able to provide more information about the benefits and dangers of these medications. They may be able to offer you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. For instance, you can consider using a planner or notepad to record reminders, and taking notes during meetings to help you stay on track. You may also benefit from joining a women's ADHD support group.