ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD develop strategies to mask their symptoms. Some of these include creating a daily routine and establishing phone reminders. They could also employ bravado as a buffer against social isolation.
However, their coping strategies could become unsustainable. They could also develop comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women with ADHD are more likely to be distracted and have a harder time staying focused and tend to forget things. They may also have difficulties managing their work and personal lives, which could impact their work performance. They might not attend appointments, fail to pay bills or procrastinate. They might have trouble understanding or completing math. These issues can become more difficult in the months prior to, during or after menopausal changes.
Experts believe that women and girls are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making it more difficult to identify 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 may be viewed by others as unacceptable particularly if they are impulsive and disorganized.
It is possible for women with ADHD to live full, happy and fulfilled lives. It is important to select an expert who is well-versed in the disorder and understands how it affects women. There are a variety of treatment options, including cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that can lead to problematic behaviors Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is which is a combination of CBT and other therapeutic practices that aim to improve self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavioral therapy, which helps people learn skills to assist them in managing their emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD typically have issues with sensitivity to rejection. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection whether it's real or perceived. This causes them to be unable to maintain relationships. This means that they are more likely to look for casual sexual partners or 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 can make it difficult to fit in at work, school or in other social settings. It is also difficult for them to comprehend body language and understand social cues.
Impatient
Women who suffer from ADHD are unable to wait or have a desire to move forward. This makes it difficult to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. It may also be challenging for women to keep up on their commitments and social interactions. Women can also have emotional outbursts or lack of self-control.
It is essential for women with ADHD to seek treatment when they are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can help improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. adhd in women symptoms I Am Psychiatry is also possible to minimize or eliminate symptoms with lifestyle changes treatment, therapy and medications.
A restful night's sleep can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Sleeping habits can be improved with a good bedtime routine by limiting screen time at night, and eating according to an established schedule. A woman suffering from ADHD may also benefit from using a weighted blanket or calming music to help them sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence for women suffering from ADHD although it's not a symptom of the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or due to underlying issues like low self-esteem, poor job performance, and difficulties with relationships. Women with ADD are usually insecure about their self-esteem because of their inability to perform well as girls and women similar to them. Inability to discern social signals and have difficulty with social interactions can also result in feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women can have a harder time getting diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially evident during pregnancy and puberty, as well as during perimenopause or menopause when hormones are undergoing changes.
Women also have the ability to conceal their symptoms more easily than boys or men. It can be difficult to cope with the demands of society and ADHD symptoms. This can lead to stress, depression and anxiety. It may also play a role in self-injury that is not suicide-related which is common in young women and teens who have ADHD.
Impulsive
You are quick and without thinking when you have the impulsive ADHD symptoms. You can't wait to get your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt other people or interrupt them in their conversation. You may also find it difficult to determine the social appropriateness or your actions. These actions can impact your ability to keep a relationship or a job and make it difficult to live up to expectations of family, friends and colleagues.
Women with impulsive type ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions which can cause more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that people are judging or ignoring them because they can't concentrate or keep up. They might not be able to finish tasks at work or home or even lose their wallet or keys. They may be at risk of spending money on things that do not provide value or forget important dates and appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can hide their symptoms. This is particularly true in their professional lives. They may have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services who can help them cope with the chaos that can cause them to miss deadlines, forget appointments or pay bills. It might be easier for them to deal with their hyperactive ADHD symptoms at home with their friends and family than in the office.
Gender bias is among the reasons why women with impulsive-type ADHD are underdiagnosed. 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 typically caused by or coexists alongside ADD, can also be a reason for why a woman suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD may not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD can be hard for those suffering from depression to manage, and it can be difficult to treat the depression while struggling with the impulsive behavior. These impulsive symptoms may contribute to feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt that some women with ADD have, which may be compounded by the lack of support from family members.
Depression
Women with ADHD may experience symptoms that are similar to those experienced in depression. These can include feeling low and unimportant, having difficulty sleeping or concentrating or being anxious and easily angered. Doctors often combine the two disorders and treat them in conjunction. Depression and ADD can also affect your relationships with other people. Your inability to focus and pay attention can lead to frustrations and misunderstandings, which may lead you into conflict. These problems can lead to colleagues or coworkers thinking that your behavior in work or school situations as a lack of interest, commitment, or hostility.
Depression and ADHD in women are harder to diagnose than in men due to women being more adept at hiding their symptoms. They change their behavior to conform to social expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some cases, they resort to unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive alcohol consumption and use of drugs especially during adolescence. This could make it difficult for them to understand that their ADHD is the cause of their problems, and delay getting a correct diagnosis.
Within the same family, symptoms severity may differ. Some suffer from milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that hinder their lives.
There are several treatment options available for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive therapy (NCP) and dialectical behavior therapy. These treatments can aid in improving self-regulation and control of impulses and also teach you how to manage your emotions.
There are also 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 include atomoxetine, the clonidine and guanfacine. Your doctor will be able to explain the benefits and dangers of these drugs. They may also be able to give you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. Planners can be used to keep track of your schedule or make notes during meetings and record reminders. You may also benefit from joining a women's ADHD support group.