ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD frequently are misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. Some people are driven to distraction or rage by minor inconveniences such as waiting in line or placed on hold.
Gender stereotypes can also obscure symptoms, making it difficult to identify and diagnose. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a woman suffers from undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by the everyday tasks they must complete. They may describe their lives as like a constant chaos and find it difficult to get the help they require from friends and family. They are also more vulnerable to anxiety and depression because they are unable to cope with dealing with criticism and stress. Women with ADHD can also be more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, like promiscuity or casual sexual relations. These situations can result in sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies, as well as low self-esteem, and feelings of shame.
Some psychologists are working on conducting research on ADHD among adult women. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one of these efforts. She and her coworkers are focusing on females who suffer from comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. These co-occurring disorders can mask or exacerbate ADHD and affect the ability of women to function at home, work and at school.
Rucklidge explains that a lot of the same biases that affect both genders make it difficult to identify ADHD in women and girls. Rating scales tend to favor male behavior, and girls' strategies for coping may not be as efficient in the college setting or in the workplace. Women who have an impulsive ADHD are often viewed as aggressive or irrational, and they may conceal their symptoms in order to be accepted into.
All three subtypes of ADHD have a variety of behavioral symptoms. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They could be unruly and fidgety, or in a hurry, disruptive, forgetful, disorganized, talkative and impatient not able and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone mood swings.
Inattentiveness
While the impulsive or hyperactive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, inattentive ADHD can be just as damaging for adults and children alike. It can be difficult to remain organized, manage your time well and manage all the daily tasks. A child may not be able to meet important deadlines at school or a worker might not remember important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can also lead to issues with relationships as others become frustrated when a partner or coworker is often distracted by thoughts.
The non-hyperactive presentation of ADHD is less apparent than the symptoms that are commonly associated with it, so it's easy for people to ignore or dismiss these problems. Children who have inattentive ADHD often get mistaken for being lazy or indifferent due to their inability to follow instructions from parents or teachers or even ponder their thoughts in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD can also be overlooked because their symptoms may not be as apparent as their peers with impulsivity or hyperactivity.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD may include difficulty staying focused, easily distracted and unable to pay attention to details and poor listening skills and frequent misplacement of belongings. Inattentive ADHD can be exacerbated or made worse by anxiety, stress, and other issues like insomnia, depression and nutrition, side effects of medication (especially stimulant medications), poor diet, and nutritional deficiencies.
Inattentional ADHD affects more females and girls than any other ADD manifestation, but it is often misdiagnosed and untreated. This is due to a number of factors including the specific symptoms with higher rates of anxiety and affective disorders in females and rating scales that favor male behavior. Furthermore, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can significantly impact how inattentive ADHD symptoms manifest.
Impulsiveness
People who have trouble controlling their impulses frequently feel a sense of tension or excitement prior to taking action on their impulses. They also struggle to resist urges, even when they are aware that the behavior is harmful or problematic. They may feel regret or guilt afterwards, too.
It's common for young children to be impulsive, but they grow out of it as they grow and learn more about the consequences of their actions. It's also a symptom of certain disorders like ADHD, antisocial personality disorder and pyromania (the urge to light fires).
The tendency to be impulsive could indicate that you suffer from a mental health condition like bipolar disorder a brain tumor or stroke or a chronic medical problem such as heart disease or diabetes. Certain substances, like alcohol, can reduce your inhibitions and lead you to act impulsively.
An inability to control your impulses can impact your relationships, work and daily life. For example, if you suffer from ADHD an impulsive behavior could affect your daily routine and hinder your ability to manage your finances or work. Symptoms include interrupting others when they're talking, uttering answers to questions, and struggling to wait for your turn when standing in line. Adults who are in a state of impulsive behavior include spending excessive amounts of money or shopping on the spur of the moment or consuming too much TV.
It's important to understand the difference between compulsive and impulsive behavior. While impulsive behavior is spontanious, compulsive actions are repetitive and ritualistic. For instance, placing your hand in the flame to check if it's burning is an impulsive action while constantly checking to ensure that the stove is not on is a compulsive act. Studies show that men are more impulsive than women, but researchers aren't able to pinpoint the reason. Researchers suggest that genetics and hormonal changes in adolescence or adulthood, and also the environment could be significant factors.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling of restlessness and irritability that can be caused by stress or an illness. It can cause a person to feel anxious, agitated, or tense, and can lead to aggressive or suicidal behaviours. People who are agitated often find it hard to sleep and might be having issues with their relationships or at work.
Consult your doctor if you feel agitated often. The doctor may want them to try medication or therapy. If they experience chest pain or difficulty breathing, it could be an indication of a heart attack.
Sometimes, signs of adhd in adults may be a sign of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of despair, sadness and despair. People with depression might also be agitated that is usually accompanied with anxiety and restlessness. This is called"agitated depression," and experts are still learning the ways in which this type of depression is different from other types of depression.
Other times, agitation is an indication of a mental illness like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These conditions can make a person unable to distinguish between what is real and not. signs of adult adhd may be agitated, wring hands or feel like they can't stay still.
Agitation is also a side effect of certain medications, such as antipsychotic drugs. If you feel agitated on a regular basis, talk to your doctor. Doctors can prescribe a treatment that isn't prone to this effect. In addition to these drugs, a person may also reduce their anxiety by avoidance of stressful situations, eating healthy food, and getting enough rest.
Depression
Depression in women is a serious mental health problem that can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness. It can also cause issues with eating, sleep and the ability to think clearly. Women need to seek treatment for depression immediately they notice symptoms. This will stop the symptoms from getting worse and could lead to a return.
Research suggests that women are more likely to be affected by depression than men. This is thought to be due to the multiple roles women have in their lives, such as being a wife and mother which can cause stress or burnout. Women are also more likely to have hormonal changes that could lead to depression, for instance when they are pregnant or after menopausal.
It is possible that certain women have a higher risk of depression due to a prior experience with the disorder, or a family background of it. This could also be the case for women who have low self-esteem or who have had issues related to body image or sexuality.
A few of the symptoms that are common in depression in women include a lack of energy, difficulty sleeping and thoughts of suicide or suicide. In addition women suffering from depression may also feel feelings of guilt or shame. Women are more likely to blame themselves for their moods and this may be increased when they are required to take care of their children and family members. Antidepressant medications can help alleviate these symptoms. However, it is important to seek professional advice from a specialist.