ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD come up with strategies to mask their symptoms. This could include creating an everyday schedule and setting phone reminders. They may also use bravado to shield themselves from social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ may become unsustainable. They may also develop co-morbid disorders such as depression, anxiety, and self-harming behavior like cutting.
adhd in adult women or Hypoactive
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be inattentive which makes it more difficult to keep their attention on their tasks and are more likely forget things. They also may have issues with organizing their professional and personal lives, which could affect their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, fail to pay bills or put off paying bills. They might have difficulty in reading or with math. These issues can get worse during, before and after menopause.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for girls and women to be 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). Those behaviors can be perceived as being less acceptable to society, especially if they are chaotic or impulsive.
The good news is that it's possible for women with ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. However, it's important to find a doctor who is well-versed in the disorder and understands how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which helps patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that lead to problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a combination of CBT along with other therapeutic methods to improve impulse control and self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy helps people learn skills for managing emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD also have a tendency to struggle with sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection that makes it difficult to keep relationships. This could mean that they are more likely to seek out romantic partners on a casual basis and engage in sexually risky behavior or have unplanned pregnancies.
In addition, women with ADHD may have trouble making friends and interacting naturally with others, especially if they have hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms. add adult women can make it difficult to fit in at work, school, or in other social situations. They may also find it difficult to understand body language and detect social signals.
Impatient
Women who suffer from ADHD find it hard to wait or feel the need to move forward. This can make it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying the bills. Women may also find it difficult to fulfill their social obligations or keep their commitments. Women may also experience emotional outbursts, or be lacking of self-control.
When women experience symptoms of ADHD It is crucial to seek out help. Treatment can help improve their lives and boost self-esteem and confidence. It is also possible to reduce or eliminate symptoms by making modifications to lifestyle as well as therapy and medication.
A good night's rest can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Sleeping habits can be improved by a good bedtime routine and limiting the amount of screen time at night and eating on a schedule. A woman suffering from ADHD may also benefit from using a blanket that is weighted or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression, while not a symptom of ADHD is a common occurrence in women who have the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating impact of untreated ADD or other related issues such as low self-esteem and relationships issues. Women suffering from ADD tend to be lacking self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as women and girls of the same age. Inability to recognize social cues and difficulties with social interactions can also result in feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women may have a tougher to be diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially true during puberty, pregnancy and during perimenopause and menopause when hormones are undergoing changes.
It is also easier for women to conceal their symptoms than it is for men and boys. It can be difficult to balance the demands of society and ADHD symptoms. This can cause stress, depression and anxiety. It could be a contributing factor to the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which is a common occurrence in teens and young women suffering from ADHD.
Impulsive
You react quickly and without thinking when you have impulsive ADHD symptoms. You can't wait to be the first person to speak in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt other people or interrupt them in their conversation. You are also unable to judge the social adequacy of your actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to keep a relationship or a job and make it difficult to live up to expectations of family or friends.
Women suffering from impulsive ADHD have a hard time managing their emotions. This can cause conflicts in relationships and at the workplace. They may feel that others are judging them or disdaining them because they can't concentrate or keep up. They might be unable to finish tasks at the office or at home or lose their wallet or keys. They may be prone towards spending money on items that are not valuable or they may lose track of important dates or appointments.
Some women with ADHD are able to hide their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They may employ assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them deal with the chaos that can make them forget appointments, not pay bills or fail to meet deadlines. They might find it easier to deal with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home with their loved ones than when they're at the workplace.
Gender bias may be one of the reasons women with an impulsive type of 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.
Other reasons why women suffering from impulsive-type ADHD might go undiagnosed include depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. Depression sufferers may have difficulty attempting to manage the impulsive behaviors that are characteristic of ADD. It can be difficult to treat depression when impulsive behavior is present. The impulsive behavior can contribute to the feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that some women with ADD have, which can be exacerbated by the lack of support from family members.
Here are a few of the ways you can reduce your risk:
Women suffering from ADHD may experience symptoms similar to those seen in depression. The symptoms may include feeling worthless and low, having difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and being angry. Doctors often combine both conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD can affect your relationships with other people. In platonic or romantic relationships your issues with focus and attention can cause frustration and miscommunication that can cause conflict. In work or school settings These issues can make colleagues and coworkers misinterpret your behavior as hostility, disinterest, or lack of commitment.
Depression and ADHD in women are harder to diagnose than in males because women are more adept in hiding their symptoms. They alter their behavior to meet social expectations and avoid being seen as fragile or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking and drug abuse, especially during adolescence. This can make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the cause of their problems and delay obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from one person to another even within the same family. Some people have milder symptoms, and are known as high-functioning ADHD. Others have severe symptoms that interfere with their lives.
There are several treatment options for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and 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 myriad 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) 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. You can use a planner to stay on top of things, or take notes during meetings and record reminders. You could also benefit by joining an ADHD support group for women.