ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD often develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. One of them is creating an everyday routine and setting up phone reminders. They could also employ bravado to ward off social isolation.
However, their coping strategies can become unsustainable. They may also develop comorbid disorders like depression, anxiety, and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be inattentive which means they have a harder time staying focused and are more likely to forget things. They can also have trouble organizing their personal and professional lives, which can impact their work performance. They may miss appointments, or fail to pay bills, and are prone to procrastination. They may have difficulty in reading or with math. adhd in women checklist can worsen in the months prior to, and following menopausal changes.
Experts believe that women and girls are more adept at concealing their symptoms, which makes it 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 especially if they are impulsive or chaotic.
The good news is that it is possible for women with ADHD to lead happy, full and satisfying lives. However, it's important to find a provider who is knowledgeable about the disorder and knows how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which helps patients recognize negative thoughts and beliefs that lead to problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy combines CBT along with other therapeutic methods to enhance impulse control and self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy helps people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD also often struggle with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection that makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. This can result in women with ADHD being more prone than others to engage in sexually risky 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. adhd traits in women can make it difficult to make friends with other people at work, at school or in other social settings. They might also find it difficult to read body language and detect social cues.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to wait for something or feel a urgent need to move on. This can make it difficult to accomplish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to stick to their social obligations or stick to their commitments. They also have to deal with emotional outbursts as well as a lack of self-control.
If a woman is experiencing symptoms of ADHD, it is important to seek assistance. Treatment can help improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to reduce or eliminate symptoms by making modifications to lifestyle as well as therapy and medication.
A restful night's sleep can help reduce ADHD symptoms. The way you sleep can be improved with having a regular bedtime routine and limiting the amount of screen time at night, and eating according to a schedule. Women suffering from ADHD might also benefit from a heavier quilt or soothing music to aid in their sleep.
Depression, though not an indication of ADHD is quite common among women who suffer from the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or because of the underlying issues like low self-esteem, poor job performance and difficulty with relationships. Women who suffer from ADD are usually low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as girls and women similar to them. Being unable to interact with others and a lack of ability to detect social cues can cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women have a difficult time getting diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially evident during puberty, pregnancy and during perimenopause and menopause when hormone levels are changing.
It is also easier for women to conceal their symptoms than for boys and men. It can be difficult to balance the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can cause depression, stress and anxiety. It could be a contributing factor 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 are quick and without thinking when you have an impulsive ADHD symptoms. You can't wait for 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 appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These actions can affect your ability to keep the relationship or job you have and can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family members, friends and coworkers.
Women with impulsive ADHD have trouble managing their emotions. This can lead to conflict in relationships as well as the workplace. They might feel that people are judging or ignoring them because they can't concentrate or keep up. They might not be able complete tasks at work or home or lose their keys or wallet. They might be inclined to spending money on things that are not valuable or forget important dates or appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD can hide their symptoms. This is particularly the case in their professional lives. They may employ assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them deal with the disorder that may make them forget appointments, pay bills or fail to meet deadlines. They may find it easier to deal with their impulsive ADHD symptoms when they're at home and with their loved ones than in the workplace.
Gender bias is a reason 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.
Other reasons that women suffering from an impulsive type of ADHD might go undiagnosed include depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. Patients suffering from depression may find it difficult to control the impulsive behaviors that come with ADD. It can also be difficult to treat depression when impulsive behaviour is present. Those impulsive behaviors can also contribute towards the feelings of self-doubt, and a sense of worthlessness that some women with ADD experience. This can be exacerbated by the lack of support from loved ones.
The following are some of the ways to reduce your risk:
Women who suffer from ADHD might exhibit symptoms similar to those experienced in depression. The symptoms may include feeling worthless and low as well as difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and being irritable. In many cases, the two conditions are paired and treated by a physician. Depression and ADD may also affect your relationships. In romantic or platonic partnerships your issues with attention and focus can heighten frustrations and misunderstandings which can lead to conflict. These issues can result in colleagues or coworkers misinterpreting your behaviour in school or work settings as lack of interest, commitment, or hostility.
Women are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it difficult to recognize depression and ADHD. They often change their behavior to conform to social expectations and avoid being viewed as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances they turn to unhealthy methods of coping, such as excessive drinking and drug use particularly during the adolescent stage. This can also make it hard to realize that their ADHD is causing their issues and delay obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can vary from person to person, even within the same family. Some people have milder symptoms, which are known as high-functioning ADHD. Some people have severe symptoms which interfere with their daily activities.
There are a variety of treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive therapy (NCP) and dialectical behavior therapy. These treatments can help improve self-regulation and impulse control, and can teach you to manage your emotions.
There are a variety of medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD among adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). There are other non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera) viloxazine (Qelbree), clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can tell you more about these drugs, including their benefits and risks. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for managing your symptoms. Planners can be used to stay on top of things, or take notes during meetings and make reminders. You might also benefit from joining a women's ADHD support group.