ADD and Women in Women
Women and girls with ADHD develop strategies to mask their symptoms. These may include building an everyday schedule and setting phone reminders. They may also use bravado to shield themselves from social isolation.
The coping strategies they employ may not be sustainable. They may also develop comorbid conditions including anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have the inattention subtype which makes it more difficult for them to remain focused on their tasks and more likely to forget things. They may also have difficulty managing their professional and personal lives, which can impact their work performance. They may miss appointments, not pay bills, and are susceptible to procrastination. They may have difficulty in reading or with math. These problems may get worse during, before and after menopause.
Experts believe that girls and women 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 being less acceptable particularly if they are impulsive and chaotic.
It is possible for women with ADHD to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. It is essential to select a provider that is familiar with the disorder and understands how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which assists patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that can trigger problematic behavior. Neurocognitive psychotherapy combines CBT along with other therapeutic methods to enhance impulse control and self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy can help individuals develop skills for managing emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are also often afflicted with sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection that makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships. This means that they are more likely to look for casual sexual partners and engage in sexually risky behaviors or have unplanned pregnancies.
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 to make friends at work, school or other social settings. They might be unable to understand body language and recognize social cues.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often have a difficult time waiting for something or feel a pressing need to complete the task. This can make it hard to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the home or paying bills. Women might also have difficulty to fulfill their social obligations or keep their commitments. They also have to deal with emotional outbursts and a inability to control their emotions.
When women experience symptoms of ADHD It is essential to seek assistance. Treatment can improve their life and increase confidence and self-esteem. Through changes in lifestyle and medication, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
Getting enough sleep can also aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. The way you sleep can be improved with having a regular bedtime routine, limiting the amount of screen time at night and eating on the schedule. A woman suffering from ADHD could benefit from a weighted blanket or calming music to help them fall asleep.
Depression, although not a symptom of ADHD, is common in women who have the condition. It may occur as a result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or due to underlying issues like low self-esteem, poor job performance and difficulty with relationships. Women with ADD often struggle with self-esteem because they aren't performing like other girls and women their older. Being unable to interact with others and an inability to pick up on social cues can cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
inattentive add in women may have a tougher to be diagnosed with ADD. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is especially true during puberty, pregnancy and during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormones are changing.
Women are also able to hide their symptoms more easily than men or boys. It can be difficult to balance the demands of society with ADHD symptoms. This can cause stress, depression, and anxiety. It could also be a factor in the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which is prevalent in teenagers and young women suffering from ADHD.
Impulsive
You react quickly and without thinking when you suffer from the impulsive ADHD symptoms. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak in a conversation, and you're more likely to interrupt or complete sentences of others. It can also be difficult to judge the appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These actions can impact your ability to keep a relationship or a job and make it difficult to live up to expectations from family friends, colleagues and other family members.
Women with impulsive-type ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions and this can lead to more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that other people are criticizing or disrespecting them because they can't concentrate or keep up. They may be unable to finish tasks at home or at work, or they might misplace their keys or wallet. They could be prone to spending money on items that don't bring value or lose track of important dates and appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD are able to hide their symptoms, particularly in their professional lives. They might have secretaries, assistants or cleaning services to help them cope with the chaos that can cause them to forget appointments, not pay bills or fail to meet deadlines. It could be easier for them to manage their impulse-driven ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than in the office.
Gender bias could be one of the reasons why women suffering from the 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 that a woman with impulsive-type ADHD might go undiagnosed include depression, which often coexists with or is caused by ADD. Depression sufferers may find it difficult to manage the impulsive behaviors that are associated with ADD. It is also difficult to treat depression when impulsive behavior is present. The impulsive behavior can contribute to feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that some women with ADD suffer from, which can be exacerbated by the lack of support from family members.
Depression
Women with ADHD may experience symptoms similar to depression. These can include feeling low and worthless, having trouble in concentrating or sleeping, or being irritable and easily annoyed. Many times, the two conditions are paired and treated together by a doctor. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships with others. In romantic or platonic partnerships your struggles with attention and focus could create tension and confusion that can cause conflict. In work or school settings These issues can cause colleagues and coworkers to misinterpret your behavior as hostility, disinterest, or lack of commitment.
Women are better at hiding their symptoms, making it harder to identify depression and ADHD. They alter their behavior to meet social expectations and avoid being labelled as weak or emotionally unstable. In some cases they turn to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking and drug abuse, especially during the adolescent stage. This can also make it hard for them to recognize 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. Some have severe symptoms that affect their lives.
The good news is that there are treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD which include cognitive behavior therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy and dialectical therapy for behavior. These therapies can help improve self-regulation, impulse control, and help you manage your emotions.
In addition there are a myriad of medications that are used to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants are also available such as atomoxetine (Strattera) viloxazine (Qelbree) as well as Clonidine (Kapvay), and Guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor will be able to tell you more about these drugs, including their benefits and risks. They might also give you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. You can use a planner to stay organized and take notes during meetings and record reminders. You could also benefit by joining an women's ADHD support group.