Why Add And ADHD In Women Is Your Next Big Obsession?
ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD often develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. These may include building an everyday schedule and setting phone reminders. They can also make use of bravado to protect themselves from social isolation.
Their coping strategies could become ineffective. They could also develop co-occurring conditions like anxiety disorders, mood disorders and self-harming behaviors such as cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have the inattention subtype which makes it more difficult to keep their attention on their work and more likely to forget things. They also may have issues managing their professional and personal lives, which could affect their performance at work. They might not attend appointments, not pay bills and can be inclined to delay their work. Home may have trouble in math or reading. These problems can worsen in the months prior to, and following menopausal symptoms.
Experts believe that girls and women are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder 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 can be perceived by others as less acceptable, especially if impulsive and unorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women with ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. However, it's important to find a provider who is well-versed in the disorder and knows how it affects women. Some treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists patients identify negative beliefs and thoughts that lead to problematic behaviors Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is which is a combination of CBT and other therapies that are designed to enhance self-regulation and impulse control; and dialectical behavior therapy, which assists patients develop the skills needed to help them manage emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are also often afflicted with sensitivity to rejection, an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection which makes it harder for them to maintain 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 makes it difficult for them to be a part of a group at work, at school or in other social situations. They may also have difficulty learning to read body language and recognize social signals.
Impatient
Women with ADHD find it hard to stay in a rut or have a desire to move forward. This can make it difficult to accomplish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying bills. It may also be challenging for women to stay focused on their commitments and social activities. They may also be afflicted by emotional outbursts and lack of self-control.
It is important for women with ADHD to seek assistance when they are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and boost confidence and self-esteem. Through lifestyle changes as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to reduce or completely eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's sleep can help reduce ADHD symptoms. A routine for bedtime and a reduction in the time you spend on screens at night, and eating on a regular schedule can all help improve sleeping habits. A woman with ADHD can benefit from a weighted blanket or calming music to help them fall asleep.
Depression, though not a symptom of ADHD, is common in women who suffer from the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating consequences of untreated ADD or due to underlying issues like low self-esteem, poor job performance and difficulty in relationships. Women who suffer from ADD often struggle with self-esteem since they do not perform like other women and girls their age. Inability to recognize social cues and difficulties in social interactions may contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women have a difficult when it comes to being diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often misdiagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is particularly evident during puberty, pregnancy as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transitions when hormones are undergoing changes.
Women can also hide their symptoms better than boys or men. It can be difficult to balance the demands of life with ADHD symptoms. This can cause anxiety, depression, and stress. It can be a factor in the development of self-injury that is non-suicidal which is a common occurrence among young women and teens who have ADHD.
Impulsive
You act quickly and without thinking when you are suffering from impulsive ADHD symptoms. You're not able to wait for your turn to speak in the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or finish other people's sentences. It can also be difficult to determine the appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These actions can impact your ability to maintain a relationship or a job and can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family, friends and colleagues.
Women who suffer from impulsive-type ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions, which can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They may feel that others are critical or disrespectful because they're unable to keep pace or focus. They might be unable to complete tasks at work or at home, or they might misplace their wallet or keys. They may be at risk of spending money on things that don't bring value or forget important dates and appointments.
Some women who have ADHD are able to hide their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretary or cleaning services who can help them cope with the disorder that can lead them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or pay bills. They might find it easier to cope with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home with their loved ones than in the workplace.
Gender bias is a reason that women suffering from 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 usually caused by or coexists alongside ADD It could also be a reason why a woman with an impulsive type ADHD might not be diagnosed. People suffering from depression may have difficulty attempting to manage the impulsive behaviors that come with ADD. It can be difficult to treat depression when impulsive behaviour is present. Impulsive behavior can cause feelings of self-doubt and despair that women who suffer from ADD feel. This can be made worse by the lack of support from family members.
Depression
Women suffering from ADHD might exhibit symptoms similar to those experienced in depression. These can include feeling low and unimportant, having difficulty in concentrating or sleeping or being angry and easily angered. Doctors often combine both disorders and treat them in conjunction. Depression and ADD may also affect your relationships. In romantic or platonic partnerships your issues with attention and focus could cause frustration and miscommunication which can lead to conflict. These problems can lead to coworkers or colleagues misinterpreting your behavior in school or at work situations as a lack of commitment, disinterest or hostility.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms, which makes it difficult to recognize depression and ADHD. They change their behavior in order to meet social expectations and avoid being seen as fragile or emotionally unstable. In some cases they turn to unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive alcohol and substance use especially during adolescence. This can make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the cause of their problems and delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from individual to individual, even within the same family. Certain people have milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Certain people experience severe symptoms that affect their daily life.
There are a variety of treatment options for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive therapy (NCP), and dialectical behavior therapy. These treatments can help improve self-regulation and impulse control. They also teach you to manage your emotions.
There are also a number medicines that can be prescribed to treat ADHD among 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 can tell you more about these medications as well as their benefits and dangers. They might also be able to give you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. For example, you might try using an organizer and note-taking reminders and taking notes during meetings to help you stay on track. You may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.