ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. These include establishing an agenda for the day and setting reminders for phone calls. They can also use bravado as a buffer against social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms could become unsustainable. They could also develop comorbid disorders like mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behavior like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women with ADHD tend to have the inattentive subtype which makes it difficult for them to stay focused on their work and more likely to forget things. They may also have trouble organizing their personal and professional lives, which can hinder their performance at work. They might miss appointments, fail to pay bills or delay their work. They might have difficulty in math or reading. These problems may get worse when, prior to and after menopause.
Experts believe that women and girls are better at hiding their symptoms, making it 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 unorganized or impulsive.
The good news is that it is possible for women suffering from ADHD to lead happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. It is important to select a professional who is well-versed in the disorder and knows how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists patients identify negative beliefs and thoughts that can lead to problematic behaviors; neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is a blend of CBT and other therapies designed to enhance self-regulation and impulse control; and dialectical behavior therapy, which helps people learn skills to help them manage emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD also have a tendency to struggle with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection that makes it more difficult to keep relationships. This can result in women with ADHD being more prone than others to engage in sexually dangerous behaviors, get pregnant without planning or seek out 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 difficult to be accepted at school, work or other social situations. It is also difficult for them to read body language and recognize social signals.
adhd in women uk with ADHD are unable to wait or have a desire to move forward. This can make it hard to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning the home or paying bills. Women might also have difficulty to stick to their social obligations or stick to their commitments. Women may also experience emotional outbursts or lack of self-control.
It is essential for women with ADHD to seek assistance when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. With lifestyle changes and medication, it is possible to decrease or completely eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's sleep can help reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine and a slowed down the time you spend on screens at night, and eating according to a schedule can all aid in improving sleeping habits. A woman with ADHD can benefit from a weighted blanket or calming music to help them sleep.
Depression, though not an indicator of ADHD is quite common among women who suffer from the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating consequences of untreated ADD or because of the root causes like low self-esteem, poor work performance and difficulty with relationships. Women who suffer from ADD are often low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as girls and women who are the same age. Inability to recognize social signals and have difficulty in social interactions may contribute to 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 misinterpret the symptoms of ADD in women as signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially relevant during pregnancy, puberty and during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones are undergoing changes.
It is also more easy for women to conceal their symptoms than for men and boys. It can be challenging to manage the demands of society with ADHD symptoms. This can cause anxiety, depression, and stress. It can be a factor in the development non-suicidal-self-injury which is common among teens and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
If you're suffering from impulsive type ADHD symptoms, you're quick to act without thinking. You can't wait to get your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt other people or end their sentences. You are also unable to judge the social appropriateness of your actions. These behaviors can affect your ability to maintain a job or a relationship and they can make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family, colleagues and friends.
Women who suffer from impulsive-type ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions, which can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They may feel like others are judging them or are disrespectful because they can't keep up or concentrate. They might not be able to complete tasks at work or home, or misplace their keys or wallet. They might be prone to spending money on things that do not provide value or lose track of important dates and appointments.
Women with ADHD may conceal their symptoms. This is especially true in their professional lives. They might have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services that can help them deal with the disorganization which can cause them to miss deadlines, forget appointments or pay their bills. It could be easier for them to manage their impulsive ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than at the office.
Gender bias could be one of the reasons women with the 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.
Depression, which is often caused by or is co-exists with ADD It could also be a reason why a woman suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD might not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior that is associated with ADD is often difficult for depression sufferers to manage, and it's a challenge to treat depression while struggling with an impulsive personality. These impulsive symptoms may contribute to feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt that some women with ADD have, which may be compounded by a lack of support from loved ones.
Here are a few ways to lower your risk:
Women with ADHD may experience symptoms that resemble depression. The symptoms may include feeling worthless and low as well as difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating, as well as being irritable. In many cases, the two disorders are combined and treated together by a physician. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships. In romantic or platonic partnerships your struggles with attention and focus can create tension and confusion which can lead to conflict. These issues can result in coworkers or colleagues thinking that your behavior in work or school settings as a lack of interest, commitment or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women can be more difficult to identify than men due to women being more adept at masking their symptoms. They change their behavior to conform to social expectations and avoid being labelled as fragile or emotionally unstable. In some cases they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking and drug abuse, particularly during the adolescent stage. This can make it hard for them to recognize their ADHD is causing their issues and delay getting an accurate diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptoms severity may differ. Certain people have milder symptoms that are called high-functioning ADHD. Some sufferers have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily activities.
The good news is that there are treatment options available to adults with ADHD, including cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. These therapies can help improve self-regulation and control of impulses and also help you manage your emotions.
There are also a variety of 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 like atomoxetine (Strattera), viloxazine (Qelbree), clonidine (Kapvay), and Guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will be able to tell you more about these medications as well as their benefits and risks. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for managing your symptoms. For instance, you can consider using a planner and note-taking reminders and taking notes during meetings to help you stay organized. You could also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.