What Is Add And ADHD In Women And Why Is Everyone Dissing It?
ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD develop strategies to manage their symptoms. These include establishing an agenda for the day and setting reminders for phone calls. They may also use bravado as a way to avoid social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms may become ineffective. They may also experience comorbid conditions including anxiety disorders, mood disorders and self-harming behavior such as cutting.
Hyperactive or hypoactive?
add in women test suffering from ADHD tend to have the inattention subtype, which makes it harder to keep their attention on their work and are more likely forget things. They may also have difficulty managing their professional and personal lives, which may affect their performance at work. They may miss appointments, fail to pay bills, and are prone to procrastination. They might have difficulty reading or doing math. These issues can get worse during, before and after menopause.
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 less acceptable especially if they are impulsive or unorganized.
The good news is that it is possible for women with ADHD to lead happy, full and satisfying lives. It's important to choose an expert who is well-versed in the disorder and how it affects women. There are a variety of treatment options, including cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that result in problematic behavior neurocognitive psychotherapy, a combination of CBT and other therapies that aim to improve self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavioral therapy, which helps people learn skills to help manage their emotions and improve interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD are also often afflicted with rejection sensitivity, an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection that makes it more difficult for them to keep relationships going. This can lead to women with ADHD being more likely than other people to engage in sexually dangerous 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 make friends at work, school, or in other social settings. It can also be difficult for them to read body language and pick up on 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 makes it difficult to finish tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying the bills. It can be a challenge for women to keep up on their commitments and social interactions. They can also struggle with emotional outbursts and lack of self-control.
It is crucial for women with ADHD to seek help when they are experiencing the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can help improve their lives and increase their confidence and self-esteem. Through lifestyle changes as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to decrease or completely eliminate the symptoms.
Getting enough sleep can also aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine and a reduction in screen time at night and eating according to a schedule can all contribute to improved sleeping habits. A woman suffering from ADHD can also benefit from using blankets that are weighted or soothing music to help them fall asleep.
Depression is a common occurrence for women suffering from ADHD however, it's not a sign of the condition. It is often caused by the debilitating impact of untreated ADD or other deeper issues like low self-esteem and relationship difficulties. Women who suffer from ADD are often lacking self-esteem due to their inability to perform well as women and girls of the same age. Inability to discern social cues and difficulty with social interactions can also result in feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be harder for women to be diagnosed with ADD than males. This is because doctors often misinterpret the symptoms of ADD in women for signs more typical of bipolar disorder. This is particularly evident during pregnancy and puberty as well as during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles as hormones change.
Women also have the ability to conceal their symptoms more easily than boys or men. It can be challenging to cope with the demands of society with ADHD symptoms. This can cause depression, stress, and anxiety. It can also play a role in the development non-suicidal-self-injury which is a common occurrence among young women and teens with ADHD.
Impulsive
You react quickly and without thinking when you are suffering from impulsive ADHD symptoms. You can't wait to get your turn in a conversation and are more likely to interrupt other people or interrupt them in their conversation. You are also unable to judge the social adequacy of your actions. These behaviors can affect your ability to maintain your job or maintain a relationship and they can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family, friends and coworkers.
Women who suffer from impulsive ADHD have a hard time controlling their emotions. This can cause conflicts in relationships and at the workplace. They may feel that others are judging or ignoring them because they are unable to focus or keep up. They may not be able to complete tasks at home or at work or even lose their wallet or keys. They might be prone to spending money on things that do not add value or they might forget important dates and appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD may conceal their symptoms. This is especially the case in their professional lives. They may have assistants, secretary or cleaning services who can help them cope with the disorganization which can cause them to not meet deadlines, miss appointments or pay bills. It might be easier for them to manage their hyperactive ADHD symptoms at home with their family and friends than in the office.
Gender bias is among the reasons why 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.
Other reasons a woman with an impulsive type of ADHD might go undiagnosed include depression, which can coexist with or is caused by ADD. The impulsive behavior associated with ADD can be difficult for those suffering from depression to manage, and it's a challenge to treat depression while dealing with impulsive behavior. The impulsive behavior can contribute to feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness that women suffering from ADD suffer from, which can be compounded by a lack of support from loved ones.
Depression
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience symptoms that are similar to those that are seen in depression. This can include feeling depressed and unimportant, having difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating or being anxious and easily angry. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships with others. In platonic or romantic relationships, your trouble with focus and attention can heighten frustrations and misunderstandings that may lead to conflict. In school or work settings, these problems can make colleagues and coworkers interpret your behavior as hostility, disinterest, or lack of commitment.
Depression and ADHD in women can be more difficult to identify than men due to women being more adept in hiding their symptoms. They alter their behavior to meet social expectations and avoid being labeled weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking and drug abuse, particularly in 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.
The severity of symptoms can differ from person to person even within the same family. Some people experience milder symptoms, which are referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Others have severe symptoms that affect their daily activities.
There are many treatment options available for adults with ADHD. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive therapy (NCP) and dialectical behavior therapy. These treatments can aid in improving self-regulation and impulse control and help you manage your emotions.
There are also a number medications 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 will be able to tell you more about these drugs, including their advantages and potential risks. They might also give you other recommendations for coping with your symptoms. Planners can be used to stay organized and take notes during meetings and make reminders. You might also benefit from joining a women's ADHD support group.