The Under-Appreciated Benefits Of Add And ADHD In Women
ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD often develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. One of them is creating a daily routine and setting up phone reminders. They can also make use of bravado to protect themselves from social isolation.
However, their coping strategies may become ineffective. They may also experience compulsive disorders, such as mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behavior like 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 may also have difficulty organizing their personal and professional lives, which can impact their performance at work. They may miss appointments, not pay bills or procrastinate. They might have difficulty understanding or completing math. These difficulties can worsen in the months prior to, during or after menopausal changes.
Many experts think that it is more difficult for girls and women to be diagnosed with ADHD because they are more adept at masking 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 unsocially acceptable particularly if they're impulsive or disorganized.
It is possible for women with ADHD to lead full, happy and fulfilled lives. It is important to find a provider who is knowledgeable about the disorder and can explain how it affects women. Treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which aids patients identify negative beliefs and thoughts that can trigger problematic behavior. Neurocognitive psychotherapy combines CBT along with other therapeutic methods to improve self-regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy can help people develop strategies for managing their emotions and improving interpersonal interactions.
Women suffering from ADHD are often plagued with sensitivity to rejection. This is an intense emotional reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived. This causes them to be unable to maintain relationships. This can lead to women with ADHD being more prone than other people to engage in sexually dangerous actions, become pregnant unintentionally or seek out 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 could make it difficult to fit in with others at work, at school or in other social situations. It can also be difficult for them to comprehend body language and recognize social signals.
Impatient
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel the urgent need to move on. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning up the house or paying bills. It can be a challenge for women to follow through on their commitments and social interactions. Women may also experience emotional outbursts, or be lacking of self-control.
It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to seek treatment when they are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. Treatment can help improve their lives and increase self-esteem and confidence. With lifestyle changes as well as medication and therapy, it is possible to decrease or eliminate the symptoms.
A good night's sleep can help reduce ADHD symptoms. A regular bedtime routine and a reduction in screen time at night, and eating according to a schedule can all help improve sleeping habits. A person suffering from ADHD could also benefit from using blankets that are weighted or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression, while not an indication of ADHD is quite common among women with the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or because of the root causes like low self-esteem, low work performance and difficulty in relationships. Women with ADD are often low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform as well as women and girls who are the same age. Being unable to interact with others and being unable to recognize social signals can cause feelings of self-worthlessness.
It is more difficult for women to be diagnosed with ADD than males. Doctors often mistakenly diagnose bipolar disorder in women as ADD symptoms. This is particularly evident during puberty, pregnancy and during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when hormone levels are changing.
Women can also hide their symptoms easier than boys or men. In addition, society has many expectations for women, which can be stressful when juggling with the symptoms of ADHD. This can cause depression, stress and anxiety. It may be a factor in self-injury that is not suicide-related which is a common occurrence among young women and teens who suffer from ADHD.
Impulsive
If you suffer from impulsive-type ADHD symptoms You're quick to react without thinking. You don't want to wait to get your turn in a conversation, and are more likely to interrupt others or end their sentences. You may also find it difficult to judge social appropriateness or your actions. These behaviors can affect the ability to sustain relationships or work and can make it hard to live up to expectations from family friends, colleagues and other family members.

Women who suffer from hyperactive ADHD have trouble controlling their emotions. This can lead to conflicts in relationships and at the workplace. They might feel that people are judging them or are disrespectful because they are unable to keep up or concentrate. They may not be able to finish tasks at work or at home, or they might misplace 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 can hide their symptoms. This is particularly the case in their professional lives. They might have assistants, secretary or cleaning services that can assist them in overcoming the disorder that can lead them to be late for deadlines, forget appointments or pay their bills. It may 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 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.
Depression, which is typically caused by or is co-exists with ADD It could also be one of the reasons why a woman with an impulsive type of ADHD might not be diagnosed. The impulsive behavior that is associated with ADD can be hard for those suffering from depression to manage, and it's a challenge to treat the depression while dealing with an impulsive personality. Those impulsive symptoms can also contribute to the feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that some women with ADD have, which may be exacerbated by an absence of support from family members.
Depression
Women suffering from ADHD may experience symptoms that are similar to those experienced in depression. These can include feeling low and depressed, having difficulty in concentrating or sleeping or being anxious and easily angry. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them both. Depression and ADD may also affect your relationships. In platonic or romantic relationships, your trouble with attention and focus could heighten frustrations and misunderstandings that may lead to conflict. In work or school settings, these problems can cause colleagues and coworkers to interpret your behavior as hostile, disinterest or lack of commitment.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to diagnose depression and ADHD. They alter their behavior in order to conform to social expectations and avoid being seen as weak or emotionally unstable. In some instances they may resort to unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive drinking and drug use, especially in the adolescent years. This could make it difficult for them to recognize that their ADHD is the root of their problems, and may delay getting a diagnosis.
Symptom severity can differ from one person to another even within the same family. Some suffer from milder symptoms, referred to as high-functioning ADHD. Some suffer from severe symptoms that hinder their daily lives.
The good news is that there are treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD that include cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical therapy for behavior. These therapies can help improve self-regulation and impulse control, and can teach you how to manage your emotions.
There are a variety of 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). There are other non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera) viloxazine (Qelbree) as well as Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv). Your doctor can tell you more about these medications along with their advantages and potential risks. Your doctor may also have other suggestions for dealing with your symptoms. adhd in young women can use a planner to stay organized and take notes during meetings and record reminders. You could also benefit by joining an ADHD support group for women.