ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD frequently develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. This could include creating a daily schedule and setting reminders on their phones. They could also resort to bravado to shield themselves from social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms could become unsustainable. They may also develop comorbid disorders like mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be distracted and are more difficult to stay focused and tend to forget things. They may also have difficulty managing their professional and personal lives, which may affect their work performance. They may miss appointments, or fail to pay their bills and may be prone to procrastination. They may have trouble understanding or completing math. These problems can worsen during, before and after menopause.
Many experts believe that it is more difficult for females and females to get diagnosed with ADHD because they are better at 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 less socially acceptable particularly if they're chaotic or impulsive.
The good news is that it is possible for women with ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. It is important to find a provider who is well-versed in the disorder and can explain how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which helps patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors. Neurocognitive psychotherapy combines CBT with other therapeutic practices to enhance impulse control and self-regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy can help people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD are also often afflicted with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional response to real or perceived rejection that makes it difficult to keep relationships. This can mean that they are more likely to pursue casual sexual partners, 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 makes it difficult for them to be a part of a group at work, at school or in other social settings. They may also have difficulty learning to read body language and detect social signals.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to wait for something or feel a urgent need to complete the task. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning house or paying bills. It can be a challenge for women to keep up on their commitments and social interactions. women and adhd may also be afflicted by emotional outbursts as well as a lack of self-control.
It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to seek treatment when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and increase their confidence and self-esteem. It is also possible to lessen or eliminate symptoms with changes in lifestyle as well as therapy and medication.
Getting enough sleep can also help to reduce ADHD symptoms. The way you sleep can be improved through a good bedtime routine by limiting screen time at night and eating according to a schedule. Women suffering from ADHD could also benefit from a weighted quilt or soothing music to aid in their sleep.
Depression is a common occurrence among women suffering from ADHD however, it's not an indication of the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating effects of untreated ADD or due to underlying issues like low self-esteem, poor work performance and difficulty in relationships. Women with ADD are often struggling with self-esteem since they aren't performing in the same way as other girls and women their older. They have difficulty socializing and an inability to pick up on social cues can also contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women have a difficult when it comes to being diagnosed with ADD. This is because doctors frequently mistake the symptoms of ADD in women for signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly true during puberty, pregnancy as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transitions when hormones are changing.
It is also easier for women to conceal their symptoms than it is for males and males. In addition, society has many expectations for women that can be stressful to juggle with the symptoms of ADHD. This can lead to anxiety, depression and stress. It may also contribute to the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which is a common occurrence in teens and young women who suffer from ADHD.
high functioning adhd in women
When you have impulsive-type ADHD symptoms You're quick to react without thinking. You can't wait to be the first person to speak in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt others or interrupt them in their conversation. You also have difficulty judging the appropriateness of your social actions. These behaviors can affect your ability to maintain the relationship or job you have and they can make it difficult to live up to the expectations of family, colleagues and friends.
Women with impulsive type ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions and this can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They may feel that others are judging them or disdaining them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. They may not be able to finish their work at the office or at home, or they might misplace their keys or wallet. They could be prone to spending money on items that don't bring value or forget important dates and 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 chaos that can cause them to miss appointments, forget to pay bills or miss deadlines. It could be easier for them to deal with their impulsive ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than in the office.
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 a woman with an impulsive type of ADHD may not be diagnosed is depression, which can coexist with or is caused by ADD. People suffering from depression might have difficulty in attempting to manage the impulsive behaviors that are associated with ADD. It can also be difficult to treat depression when impulsive behavior is present. Those impulsive symptoms can also contribute to feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that some women with ADD have, which may be exacerbated by the lack of support from family members.
Here are a few of the ways to reduce your risk:
Women suffering from ADHD may experience symptoms similar to depression. The symptoms may include feeling unworthy and low, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating, as well as being angry. Many times, the two conditions are paired and treated by a physician. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships. In platonic or romantic relationships your struggles with attention and focus could create tension and confusion that can cause conflict. These issues can lead to colleagues or coworkers thinking that your behavior in work or school settings as a lack of commitment, disinterest or hostility.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder to identify depression and ADHD. They alter their behavior to comply with social norms and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive drinking and drug abuse, particularly in the adolescent stage. This can also make it difficult for them to recognize their ADHD is causing their issues and delay obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can vary from one person to another, even within the same family. Some sufferers have milder symptoms, and are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some people have severe symptoms that affect their daily life.
The good news is that there are treatments available for adults with ADHD which include cognitive behavior therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. These therapies can improve self-regulation and impulse control, as well as teach you to manage your emotions.
There are a variety of medicines that can be 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, viloxazine, Clonidine, and Guanfacine. Your doctor can provide more about these drugs, including their benefits and risks. They may also be able to give you additional suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. For instance, you could use a planner, writing down reminders, and taking notes during meetings to help you stay organized. You could also benefit by joining an ADHD support group for women.