What Is Add And ADHD In Women And How To Use It?
ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD develop strategies to mask their symptoms. Some of these include creating an everyday routine and setting up phone reminders. They could also employ bravado to ward off social isolation.
Their coping mechanisms could become ineffective. They may also develop co-morbid disorders like anxiety, mood disorders and self-harming behaviors such as cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
Women suffering from ADHD tend to have the inattention subtype which makes it difficult to keep their attention on their tasks and are more likely to forget things. They may also have trouble managing their work and personal lives, which can affect their performance at work. They may miss appointments, fail to pay their bills and may be susceptible to procrastination. They might have trouble reading or doing math. These issues can become more difficult prior to, during and after menopausal changes.
Many experts believe that it is more difficult for women and girls 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 unorganized or impulsive.
It is possible for women who have ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. But it's crucial to find a doctor who is knowledgeable about the disorder and can explain the way it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which assists patients recognize negative beliefs and thoughts that can trigger problematic behavior. Neurocognitive psychotherapy is a combination of CBT with other therapeutic practices to enhance impulse control and self regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy helps people learn skills for managing emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women who suffer from ADHD also have a tendency to struggle with sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection that makes it difficult to keep relationships. This can lead to women with ADHD being more likely than others 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 to be accepted at school, work or other social settings. add in adult women can also be challenging for them to comprehend body language and recognize social cues.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel a pressing need to get moving. This makes it difficult to accomplish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. Women may also have difficulty to fulfill their social obligations or keep their commitments. Women can also have emotional outbursts or lack of self-control.
It is essential for women suffering from ADHD to seek assistance when they experience symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can improve their lives and increase their confidence and self-esteem. With lifestyle changes, medication and therapy it is possible to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
A restful night's sleep can reduce ADHD symptoms. Sleeping habits can be improved with a good bedtime routine and limiting the amount of screen time at night and eating on the schedule. Women who suffer from ADHD may also benefit from a heavier quilt or soothing music to aid in their sleep.
Depression, although not an indicator of ADHD, is common in women who have the condition. It could be the result of the debilitating consequences of untreated ADD or because of the root causes like low self-esteem, low work performance and difficulty in relationships. Women with ADD frequently struggle with self-esteem because they do not perform like other women and girls their age. Inability to read social signals and have difficulty with social interactions can contribute to feelings of self-worthlessness.
Women have a difficult when it comes to being diagnosed with ADD. This is due to the fact that doctors often 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 as well as during menopausal perimenopausal transitions when hormones are undergoing changes.
It is also more easy for women to conceal their symptoms than it is for men and boys. It can be challenging to manage the demands of society and ADHD symptoms. This can cause depression, stress, and anxiety. It can be a contributing factor to the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which is prevalent in teenagers and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
You are quick and without thinking when you suffer from an impulsive ADHD symptoms. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak during the course of a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt or complete sentences of others. You may also be unable to judge the social appropriateness of your actions. These behaviors can impact your ability to maintain the relationship or job you have and can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family members, colleagues and friends.
Women suffering from hyperactive ADHD have trouble controlling their emotions. This can cause conflict in relationships and in the workplace. They may feel like others are unkind or apathetic because they can't keep up or concentrate. They might be unable to complete tasks at the office or at home, or they might misplace their keys or wallet. They could be at risk of spending money on items that are not valuable or they may lose track of important dates or appointments.
Some women who have ADHD can conceal their symptoms, especially in their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretaries or cleaning services to help them deal with the chaos that can make them miss appointments, forget to pay bills or miss deadlines. It may be easier for them to manage their impulse-driven ADHD symptoms at home with their friends and family than in the office.
Gender bias is among the reasons why women with 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 a woman with an impulsive type of ADHD might go undiagnosed include depression, which is often associated with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior that comes with ADD can be difficult for those suffering from depression to manage, and it can be difficult to treat depression while dealing with impulsive behavior. The impulsive behavior can cause feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that women suffering from ADD have, which may be exacerbated by the lack of support from family members.
Here are a few of the ways you can reduce your risk of contracting a disease:
Women suffering from ADHD may exhibit symptoms that resemble depression. They may feel depressed and unimportant, having difficulty in concentrating or sleeping or being anxious and easily annoyed. Many times, the two disorders are combined and treated by a physician. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships with others. Your inability to focus and pay attention can lead to frustrations and misunderstandings that can lead to conflicts. These problems can lead to colleagues or coworkers misinterpreting your behaviour in school or work settings as a lack of interest, commitment or hostility.
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 seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances they turn to unhealthy ways to cope, such as excessive alcohol and substance use particularly during the adolescent years. This could make it difficult for them to realize that their ADHD is the root of their problems, and delay receiving a proper diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can differ from person to person even within the same family. Some people experience milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some sufferers have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily life.
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 and impulse control. They also help you manage your emotions.
There are also a variety of 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, viloxazine, Clonidine, and Guanfacine. Your doctor will be able to tell you more about these medications along with their benefits and dangers. Your doctor might also offer other suggestions to help you manage your symptoms. You can use a planner to keep track of your schedule, or take notes during meetings and write down reminders. You could also benefit from joining an ADHD support group for women.