ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD often develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. These may include building a daily schedule and setting phone reminders. They can also use bravado as a buffer against social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ may not be sustainable. They may also develop compulsive disorders, such as mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women with ADHD are more likely to be unfocused which means they have a harder time staying focused and tend to forget things. They can also have trouble managing their personal and professional lives, which can impact their work performance. They might not attend appointments, or fail to pay bills and can be susceptible to procrastination. They might have trouble reading or doing math. adhd in older women can worsen before, during and after menopause.
Experts believe that women and girls are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making it more difficult to recognize 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 could be viewed as less socially acceptable particularly if they're chaotic or impulsive.
The good news is that it is possible for women suffering from ADHD to live happy, full and satisfying lives. It is essential to select a provider that is familiar with the disorder and how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists patients identify negative beliefs and thoughts that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is which is a blend of CBT and other therapies that are designed to improve self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavioral therapy, which helps individuals develop skills that help them manage emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD often have a problem with sensitivity to rejection. This is a strong emotional reaction to rejection whether real or perceived. This causes them to be unable to keep relationships. This can lead to women with ADHD being more likely than others to engage in sexually risky behaviors, get pregnant without planning 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 can make it hard to be accepted at work, school, or other social situations. They might also find it difficult to read bodylanguage and pick up social cues.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel the urgent need to complete the task. This makes it difficult to finish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. It can also be difficult for women to follow through on their commitments as well as social interactions. Women can also have emotional outbursts or lack in self-control.
It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to seek help when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and boost their confidence and self-esteem. Through lifestyle changes and medication, it is possible to lessen or eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's sleep can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Sleeping habits can be improved by a good bedtime routine by limiting screen time at night, and eating according to a schedule. Women who suffer from ADHD could benefit from a weighted quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression is common among women suffering from ADHD however, it's not a sign of the condition. It can be caused by the debilitating effects of untreated ADD, or underlying issues such as low self-esteem or relationship issues. Women with ADD are often lacking self-esteem due to their inability to perform well as girls and women who are the same age. Being unable to interact with others and being unable to recognize social cues can also contribute to their feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women may have a tougher to be diagnosed with ADD. This is because doctors often make the mistake of interpreting the symptoms of ADD in women as signs that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly evident during pregnancy and puberty and also during menopausal perimenopausal transition when hormones are undergoing changes.
Women are also able to hide their symptoms more easily than boys or men. Additionally the society has a lot of expectations for women that can be stressful to juggle with the symptoms of ADHD. This can lead to anxiety, depression and stress. It could be a factor in self-injury that is not suicide-related, which is common among teens and young women who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
When you have impulsive-type ADHD symptoms you're quick to make decisions without thinking. You're not able to wait for your turn to speak in the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or complete other people's sentences. You also have difficulty judging the social adequacy of your actions. These behaviors can affect the ability to keep relationships or even a job, and can make it hard to live up to expectations of family friends, colleagues and other family members.
Women with impulsive type ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions and this can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They may feel that others are judging or ignoring them because they can't concentrate or keep up. They might not be able complete tasks at work or home or even lose their keys or wallet. They may be prone towards spending money on items that aren't worth the money or they could lose track of important dates or appointments.
Some women with ADHD may conceal their symptoms. This is especially the case in their professional lives. They may have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services who can assist them in overcoming the disorder that can lead them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or pay bills. They may find it easier 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 one reason that women suffering from impulsive type ADHD aren't 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 usually caused by or is co-exists with ADD is also the reason why a woman suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD might not be diagnosed. Patients suffering from depression might have difficulty in attempting to control the impulsive behaviors that are characteristic of ADD. It is also difficult to deal with depression when impulsive behavior is present. Those impulsive behaviors can also contribute to feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that some women with ADD feel. This can be made worse due to a lack of support from family members.
Here are a few of the ways to reduce your risk of contracting a disease:
Women with ADHD may experience symptoms that are similar to those that are seen in depression. These symptoms could include feeling worthless and low, having difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and being irritable. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them both. Depression and ADD can also affect your relationships with others. In platonic or romantic relationships your issues with attention and focus can cause frustration and miscommunication that can cause conflict. These problems can lead to colleagues or coworkers misinterpreting your behavior in work or school settings as a lack of commitment, disinterest or hostility.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to identify depression and ADHD. They often change their behavior to fit in with society expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotional. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive drinking and drug abuse, particularly in the adolescent years. This can make it hard for them to recognize that their ADHD is the cause of their problems and delay obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can vary from person to person, even within the same family. Some people have milder symptoms, which are known as high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that affect their lives.
There are a variety of treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as neurocognitive therapy (NCP) and dialectical behavior therapy. These therapies can improve self-regulation and impulse control, as well as help you manage your emotions.
There are also a number 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 other non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) as well as Clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will be able to tell you more about these medications, including 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 on top of things and take notes during meetings and make reminders. You could also benefit by joining an women's ADHD support group.