ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often develop coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms. This could include creating an agenda for the day and setting reminders for phone calls. They could also resort to bravado to protect themselves from social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms may become ineffective. They may also experience compulsive disorders, such as anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behavior such as cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women suffering from ADHD tend to have the inattention subtype which makes it difficult to keep their attention on their tasks and are more likely forget things. They may also have difficulties organizing their personal and work lives, which can affect their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, not pay bills, and are susceptible to procrastination. They might have difficulty understanding or completing math. These issues can become more difficult in the months prior to, during or after menopausal transition.
Experts believe that women and girls are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes 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 are often viewed as less socially acceptable, especially if they are impulsive or disorganized.
inattentive add in women is possible for women who have ADHD to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. It is important to find a professional who is well-versed in the disorder and understands the way it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists patients identify negative beliefs and thoughts that result in problematic behavior; neurocognitive psychotherapy, a combination of CBT and other therapies designed to enhance self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavioral therapy, which helps people learn skills to assist them in managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are also often afflicted with sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection that makes it difficult for them to keep relationships going. This could mean that they are more likely to seek out intimate partners, 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 school, work or in other social settings. It is also difficult for them to read body language and recognize social cues.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often have a difficult time waiting for something or feel a pressing need to get moving. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. Women might also have difficulty to keep their social commitments or keep their commitments. They can also struggle with emotional outbursts and lack of self-control.
It is important for women suffering from ADHD to seek treatment when they are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to lessen or eliminate symptoms with changes in lifestyle, therapy and medication.
A restful night's sleep can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. A good bedtime routine and a reduction in the time you spend on screens at night, and eating according to a schedule can all contribute to improved sleeping habits. Women with ADHD could benefit from a weighted quilt or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression, while not an indication of ADHD is a common occurrence in women who have the condition. It can be caused by the debilitating impact of untreated ADD, or underlying issues such as low self-esteem and relationships issues. Women who suffer from ADD are often struggling with self-esteem because they aren't performing like women of similar older. They have difficulty socializing and an inability to recognize social cues can also cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women can have a harder to be diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is particularly evident during puberty, pregnancy as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transitions when hormones are undergoing changes.
It is also more easy for women to conceal their symptoms than for males and males. It can be challenging to manage the demands of society with ADHD symptoms. This can lead depression, stress, and anxiety. It could also play a role in the development non-suicidal-self-injury which is common in young women and teens who have ADHD.
Impulsive
You react quickly and without thinking when you suffer from the impulsive ADHD symptoms. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak during the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or complete sentences of other people. You might also find it difficult to determine the appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These actions can impact your ability to maintain relationships or work and can make it difficult to live up to expectations of family, friends and colleagues.
Women who suffer from an impulsive ADHD struggle with controlling their emotions. This can lead to conflicts in relationships and at in the workplace. They may feel that others are judging them or disdaining them because they can't concentrate or keep up. They might not be able complete tasks at work or home or even lose their wallet or keys. They could be prone to spending money on things that don't add value or they might lose track of important dates and appointments.
Some women who have ADHD can conceal their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They may employ assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them cope with the disorder that may cause them to forget appointments, not pay bills or miss deadlines. They might be able to deal with their impulsive ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their family members than at the workplace.
Gender bias may be one of the reasons women who suffer from the 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 why women with an impulsive type of ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which often coexists with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD can be hard for people suffering from depression to control, and it's difficult to manage depression when struggling with the impulsive behavior. These impulsive behaviors may contribute towards the feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that some women with ADD feel. This can be exacerbated by a lack support from loved ones.
Depression
Women with ADHD may exhibit symptoms that are similar to depression. The symptoms may include feeling depressed and worthless, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating, as well as being irritable. Many times, the two disorders are combined and treated together by a doctor. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships with other people. In platonic or romantic relationships your issues with attention and focus could cause frustration and miscommunication that can cause conflict. In work or school settings, these problems can cause coworkers and colleagues to think that your behavior is a sign of hostility, disinterest, or lack of commitment.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to identify than males because women are more adept at masking their symptoms. They often change their behavior to meet societal expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking and drug abuse, particularly in adolescence. This can also make it hard for them to recognize that their ADHD is causing their issues and delay getting an accurate diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from individual to individual, even within the same family. Certain people have milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some sufferers have severe symptoms that affect their daily life.
There are many 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 therapies can improve self-regulation and impulse control. They also teach you to manage your emotions.
There are also a number medicines 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, including atomoxetine (Strattera) viloxazine (Qelbree) as well as clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can tell you more about the benefits and risks of these drugs. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. Planners can be used to keep track of your schedule or make notes during meetings and record reminders. You could also benefit by joining an ADHD support group for women.