ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD develop coping strategies to manage their symptoms. These may include building a daily schedule and setting reminders on their phones. They could also employ bravado as a buffer against social isolation.
Their coping strategies may become unsustainable. They could also develop comorbid conditions including mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviours such as cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women with ADHD tend to have the inattentive subtype which makes it difficult for them to remain focused on tasks and are more likely to forget things. They can also have trouble organizing their personal and professional lives, which could affect their performance at work. They might miss appointments, not pay bills or delay their work. They might have difficulty understanding or completing math. These problems can get worse before, during and after menopausal transition.
Experts believe that women and girls are more adept at concealing their symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose 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 by others as unacceptable especially if they are impulsive or unorganized.
It is possible for women with ADHD to lead full, happy and fulfilled lives. It is essential to select a provider that is well-versed in the disorder and knows how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which helps patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that lead to problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a combination of CBT together with other therapies to improve impulse control and self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy assists people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women suffering from ADHD typically have issues with rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection whether it's real or perceived. adhd in older women causes them to be unable to keep relationships. This can result in women with ADHD being more likely than other people to engage in risky sexual behavior, have unplanned pregnancy or look for 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 settings. They may also find it difficult to read body language and detect social signals.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD find it hard to stay in a rut or are driven to move forward. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks such as cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. Women might also have difficulty to fulfill their social obligations or stick to their commitments. Women can also have emotional outbursts or a lack in self-control.
When women are experiencing symptoms of ADHD It is essential to seek out help. Treatment can help improve their lives and increase their confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to reduce or eliminate symptoms by making modifications to lifestyle treatment, therapy and medications.
A good night's sleep can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Sleeping habits can be improved by following a routine for bedtime and limiting the amount of screen time at night and eating according to a schedule. Women suffering from ADHD might benefit from a weighted quilt or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence for women suffering from ADHD, even though it's not a sign of the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or because of the root issues, such as low self-esteem, poor work performance and difficulty with relationships. Women suffering from ADD are often lacking self-esteem due to their inability to perform well as girls and women similar to them. They have difficulty socializing and an inability to detect social signals can cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women can have a harder when it comes to being diagnosed with ADD. This is because doctors frequently make the mistake of interpreting the symptoms of ADD in women as signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially true during puberty, pregnancy and during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones are changing.
adhd in older women is also more easy for women to conceal their symptoms than it is for men and boys. In addition there are many expectations for women, which can be stressful to juggle with symptoms of ADHD. This can cause anxiety, depression, and stress. It can also contribute to self-injury that is not suicide-related, which is common in young women and teens who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
If you're suffering from impulsive type ADHD symptoms you're quick to make decisions without thinking. You aren't able to wait for your turn to speak in the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or end other people's sentences. You might also find it difficult to determine the appropriateness of your actions in the context of social situations. These actions can impact your ability to maintain relationships or work, and can make it difficult to live up to expectations from family friends, colleagues and other family members.
Women with impulsive-type ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions, which can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They may feel that others are judging them or are disrespectful because they're unable to keep pace or concentrate. They might not be able complete tasks at work or home or even lose their keys or wallet. They may be prone towards spending money on things that aren't valuable, or lose track of important dates or appointments.
Some women with ADHD are able to 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 may be able to deal with their impulsive ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their loved ones than when they're at the workplace.
Gender bias is a reason why women suffering from impulsive-type ADHD are not 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 a woman with an impulsive type of ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior that is associated with ADD is often difficult for those suffering from depression to control, and it's difficult to treat depression while being afflicted by an impulsive personality. Those impulsive symptoms can also contribute to the feeling of insecurity 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 who suffer from ADHD may exhibit symptoms that are similar to depression. They may feel depressed and unimportant, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating or being angry and easily angered. Doctors often combine both conditions and treat them both. Depression and ADD can also affect your relationships with other people. Your inability to concentrate and pay attention can cause confusion and frustration that can lead into conflict. In school or at work such issues could cause colleagues and coworkers to think that your behavior is a sign of hostile, disinterest or lack of commitment.
Depression and ADHD in women are more difficult to diagnose than men due to women being more adept at masking their symptoms. They frequently alter their behavior to fit in with society expectations and avoid being judged as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive drinking and substance abuse, particularly during the adolescent years. This makes it difficult for them to understand that their ADHD is the cause of their problems, and delay getting a diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from individual to individual even within the same family. Some people experience milder symptoms that are called high-functioning ADHD. Some have severe symptoms that affect their daily lives.
There are many treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive therapy (NCP), and dialectical behavior therapy. These therapies can improve self-regulation and impulse control. They also teach you to manage your emotions.
Additionally 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). Non-stimulants include atomoxetine, Clonidine, and Guanfacine. Your doctor can tell you more about the benefits and dangers of these medications. They might be able to offer you suggestions on how to deal with your symptoms. For example, you might use a planner, writing down reminders, and taking notes during meetings to help you stay on track. You may also benefit from joining a women's ADHD support group.
