ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms. This could include creating an agenda for the day and setting reminders on their phones. They can also make use of bravado to protect themselves from social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms may become ineffective. They may also develop co-morbid disorders such as anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have the inattention subtype, which makes it harder for them to stay focused on their tasks and are more likely forget things. They can also have trouble organizing their professional and personal lives, which may affect their work performance. They may miss appointments, fail to pay bills or put off paying bills. They might have difficulty understanding or completing math. These problems can get worse in the months prior to, during or after menopausal changes.
Many experts believe 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). These behaviors could be viewed as being less acceptable to society, especially if they are unorganized or impulsive.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to lead full, happy and fulfilled lives. It's important to choose a professional who is well-versed in the disorder and understands how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which aids patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a blend of CBT along with other therapeutic methods to improve self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy assists people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD often have a problem with sensitivity to rejection. This is a strong emotional reaction to rejection, whether it's real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them to keep relationships. This can result in women with ADHD being more likely than other people to engage in sexually dangerous behavior, have unplanned pregnancy 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 hard to be accepted at work, school or other social situations. They might also find it difficult to understand body language and detect social signals.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel the urgent need to get moving. This can make it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the home or paying bills. It can be a challenge for women to follow through on their commitments and social activities. Women may also experience emotional outbursts, or be lacking in self-control.
It is essential for women with ADHD to seek help when they are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can help improve their lives and increase confidence and self-esteem. With lifestyle changes as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to lessen or eliminate the symptoms.
A restful night's sleep can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Sleeping habits can be improved through following a routine for bedtime by limiting screen time at night, and eating according to an established schedule. A woman suffering from ADHD could benefit from a blanket that is weighted or relaxing music to help them sleep.
Depression, although not an indicator of ADHD, is common in women with the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or deeper issues like low self-esteem and relationship difficulties. Women suffering from ADD tend to be insecure about their self-esteem because of their inability to perform as well as women and girls who are the same age. Having difficulty with social interaction and being unable to recognize social cues can contribute to their feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women may have a tougher to be diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is particularly evident during pregnancy and puberty, as well as during perimenopause or menopause, when hormones are changing.
Women also have the ability to conceal their symptoms better than boys or men. It can be difficult to manage the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can cause anxiety, depression, and stress. It could also contribute to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which is a common occurrence in teens and young women who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
You act quickly and without thinking when you are suffering from the impulsive ADHD symptoms. adhd in women uk can't wait to get your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt other people or end their sentences. You may also be unable to judge the appropriateness of your social actions. These actions can impact your ability to sustain a relationship or a job and make it difficult to live up to expectations from family friends, colleagues and other family members.
Women suffering from hyperactive 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 are disrespectful because they can't keep up or focus. They might not be able to finish tasks at home or at work or lose their wallet or keys. They could be prone to spending money on things that don't provide value or forget important dates and appointments.
Women with ADHD are able to hide their symptoms. This is particularly true in their professional lives. They may have secretaries, assistants or cleaning services to help them deal with the chaos that can cause them to forget appointments, pay bills or fail to meet deadlines. It might be easier for them to manage their impulsive ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than in the office.
Gender bias is 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.
Depression, which is usually caused by or is co-exists with ADD is also one of the reasons for why a woman suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD might not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD can be difficult for depression sufferers to manage, and it can be difficult to treat the depression while being afflicted by an impulsive personality. Impulsive behavior can contribute to feelings of self-doubt, and a sense of worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD feel. This can be exacerbated due to a lack of support from loved ones.
Here are a few ways to lower your risk of contracting a disease:
Women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit symptoms that resemble depression. These symptoms can include feeling depressed and worthless as well as difficulty in concentrating or sleeping, and being angry. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships with other people. In platonic or romantic relationships your struggles with attention and focus could heighten frustrations and misunderstandings that can cause conflict. These issues can lead to coworkers or colleagues thinking that your behaviour in school or work settings as a lack of interest, commitment, or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to identify than men due to women being more adept at hiding their symptoms. They alter their behavior in order to conform to social expectations and avoid being seen as fragile or emotionally unstable. In some cases, they resort to unhealthy ways to cope, like excessive alcohol and substance use especially during the adolescent years. This could make it difficult for them to realize that their ADHD is the reason for their problems, and delay getting a correct diagnosis.
Even within the same family, symptom severity can vary. Some suffer from milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Others have severe symptoms that affect their lives.
The good news is that there are treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD which include cognitive behavior therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical therapy for behavioral disorders. These therapies can help improve self-regulation, impulse control, and teach you to manage your emotions.
In addition to that, there are a variety of medications used 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, including atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree), Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can explain the benefits and risks of these drugs. They might be able to offer you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. For instance, you could consider using an organizer or notepad to record reminders, and taking notes at meetings to keep your schedule organized. You might also benefit from joining an women's ADHD support group.