ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD frequently develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms. These may include building an everyday schedule and setting phone reminders. They can also make use of bravado to buffer them from social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms may become ineffective. adhd traits in women may also develop co-morbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be distracted, meaning they have a harder time staying focused and are more likely to lose track of things. They can also have trouble managing their personal and professional lives, which can impact their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, not pay their bills or delay their work. They might have difficulty reading or doing math. These problems can get worse in the months prior to, during or after menopause.
Many experts believe it is more difficult for females and females to get diagnosed with ADHD because they are better in 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 unorganized.
It is possible for women with ADHD to live full, happy and fulfilled lives. It is essential to select a professional who is knowledgeable about the disorder and knows how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which aids patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that can trigger problematic behavior. Neurocognitive psychotherapy combines CBT along with other therapeutic methods to enhance impulse control and self-regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy assists people learn skills for managing emotions and improving interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are also often afflicted with sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection which makes it harder for them to keep relationships going. This could mean that they are more likely to pursue romantic partners on a casual basis and 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 makes it difficult to be accepted at work, school, or in other social settings. It is also difficult for them to read body language and understand social cues.
Impatient
Women who suffer from ADHD find it hard to wait or are driven to move forward. This can make it hard to finish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying the bills. It can be a challenge for women to follow through on their commitments and social activities. They can also struggle with emotional outbursts and a lack of self-control.
It is essential for women suffering from ADHD to seek help when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and increase their confidence and self-esteem. With changes in lifestyle as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
Sleeping enough can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Sleeping habits can be improved through a good bedtime routine by limiting screen time at night and eating on a schedule. A person suffering from ADHD may benefit from a blanket that is weighted or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression is common among women with ADHD although it's not a sign of the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating consequences of untreated ADD or due to root causes like low self-esteem, low work performance and difficulty in relationships. Women suffering from ADD are often lacking self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as girls and women of the same age. Inability to read social signals and have difficulty with social interactions can also cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women have a difficult when it comes to being diagnosed with ADD. This is due to the fact that doctors often make the mistake of interpreting the symptoms of ADD in women for symptoms that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly evident during pregnancy and puberty and also during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles, when hormones are changing.
Women can also hide their symptoms better than boys or men. In addition the society has a lot of expectations for women that can be stressful to juggle with symptoms of ADHD. This can lead to stress, depression and anxiety. It can also contribute to self-injury that is not suicide-related, which is common among teens and young women who have ADHD.
Impulsive
When you have impulsive-type ADHD symptoms You're quick to react without thinking. You're not patiently waiting for your turn in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt other people or end their sentences. You also have difficulty judging the social adequacy of your actions. These actions can affect your ability to keep your job or maintain a relationship and they can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family members, colleagues and friends.
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 people are judging or ignoring them because they are unable to focus or keep up. They may not be able to finish their work at the office or at home or even lose their wallet or keys. They could be prone to spending money on items that don't add value or they might forget important dates and appointments.
Women with ADHD may conceal their symptoms. This is particularly relevant to their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretary or cleaning services who can help them cope with the disorganization which can cause them to miss deadlines, forget appointments or pay bills. 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 among the reasons 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.
Other reasons a woman with impulsive-type ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD is often difficult for those suffering from depression to control, and it's difficult to manage depression when dealing with the impulsive behavior. These impulsive behaviors may cause feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD feel. This can be made worse by a lack support from loved ones.
Depression
Women with ADHD may experience symptoms that are similar to those that are seen in depression. The symptoms may include feeling depressed and worthless as well as difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and being irritable. Doctors often combine both conditions and treat them both. Depression and ADD can also affect your relationships with other people. In romantic or platonic partnerships, your trouble with attention and focus could cause frustration and miscommunication which can lead to conflict. These issues can result in colleagues or coworkers not understanding 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 more difficult to identify depression and ADHD. They alter their behavior to meet social expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly during the adolescent years. This makes it difficult for them to understand that their ADHD is the root of their problems, and may delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
Within the same family, symptoms severity may differ. Certain people have milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some have severe symptoms that hinder their lives.
There are a variety of treatment options available for adults suffering from ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as neurocognitive therapy (NCP) and dialectical behavior therapy. These treatments can help improve self-regulation and impulse control, as well as help you manage your emotions.
There are a variety of medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants are also available like atomoxetine (Strattera), viloxazine (Qelbree) as well as clonidine (Kapvay), and Guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will explain the benefits and dangers of these drugs. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for managing your symptoms. Planners can be used to stay on top of things or make notes during meetings and make reminders. You may also benefit from joining a women's ADHD support group.