ADD Symptoms in Women
Women suffering from ADD often are misunderstood and dismissed as overly emotional. Some sufferers are sucked into a state of disorientation or rage by minor inconveniences such as waiting in line or being in a queue.
Gender stereotypes can also mask symptoms, making them difficult to detect and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to determine whether a woman has undetected ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by the everyday tasks they are required to complete. They might feel that their lives are a chaotic, or constant chaos. They may also have difficulty to get the help they require from family and friends. They are also more vulnerable to anxiety and depression because they have a hard time managing stress and criticism. Women who suffer from ADHD can also be more likely to engage in sexually risky actions, like promiscuity or casual sexual relations. These experiences can lead sexually transmitted illnesses as well as unplanned pregnancy, low self-esteem and feelings of shame.
Psychologists are working to build up the research on ADHD in women of adulthood. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one such effort. Her and her colleagues are focusing on females who have comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety. These co-occurring conditions can be a source of confusion or even worsen ADHD and affect the capacity of a woman to perform at home, work, and school.
Rucklidge discusses how many of the same biases that affect boys and men also make it difficult to identify ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales are skewed toward male behavior, and a girl's coping strategies may be less effective in the classroom or workplace. Women with hyperactive ADHD symptoms are often dismissed as being irrational or agressive, and they can be more likely to conceal their symptoms to be accepted by.
The three different subtypes of ADHD share a number of behavioral signs. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They may be fidgety disorganized or constantly moving and unorganized, talkative, impatient in their ability to wait for their turn, and susceptible to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Inattentive ADHD is equally debilitating for adults and children. The struggles to stay organized, manage time effectively and keep track of the daily chores can be overwhelming. For instance a child might miss important deadlines at school, or an employee might forget to attend important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can also lead to relationships problems when other people get annoyed when a friend or co-worker is frequently lost in thought.
The non-hyperactive presentation of ADHD is less apparent than the stereotypical symptoms, so it's easy to overlook or dismiss these challenges. Children who have inattentive ADHD are often mistaken for lazy or uncooperative kids because they don't heed the instructions of their teachers or parents or daydream in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are also often ignored because their symptoms might not be as apparent as their peers with impulsivity or hyperactivity.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can include difficulty staying focused, becoming easily distracted, lacking listening skills, as well as misplacing items often. Inattentive ADHD symptoms may also be caused by anxiety, stress or depression, diet and nutrition mineral deficiencies as well as medication-related side effects (particularly certain stimulant medications), poor sleep, depression, or other medical conditions.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more prevalent among females and girls than other ADD manifestations, yet this subtype is often under-diagnosed and untreated. This is due to a variety of factors, including the specific symptoms presented with higher rates of anxiety and affective disorder in females, and rating scales that favor male behavior. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout menstrual cycles can greatly affect how irritable ADHD symptoms appear.
Impulsiveness
People who have trouble controlling their impulses frequently experience a sense of tension or excitement prior to taking action on their impulses. They also have a tough to resist their urges, even when they know the behavior is detrimental or dangerous. Afterward, they may feel guilt or regret.
It's normal for young children to behave impulsively however they get rid of it as they mature and learn more about the consequences of their actions. It's also a sign of certain conditions that include ADHD and antisocial personality disorder and pyromania (the desire to burn things).
The tendency to be impulsive could be a sign of mental illness such as bipolar disorder, stroke, brain tumor, or diabetes. Certain substances, like alcohol, can also cause inhibitions to be broken and lead you to act impulsively.
Lack of impulse control can affect your relationships, career and daily life. For instance, if suffer from ADHD, impulsive behaviors can disrupt your day-to-day routine and impact your ability to manage your finances or work. The signs include interrupting people when they're speaking, blurting out answers to questions and struggling to wait for your turn when standing in the line. Adults, impulsive behavior can include shopping on a decision or spending too much money or watching too much television.
It's important to understand the difference between compulsive and impulsive behavior. While impulsive behavior is spontaneous, compulsive behaviors are repetitive and ritualistic. For instance, sticking your hand into the fire to check whether it's still burning is an impulsive act and checking it over and over again to make sure the stove is not on is a habitual behavior. Research has shown that men are more impulsive than women, however researchers don't know exactly why. They suggest that genetics, environment and hormonal changes in the adolescent and adulthood years could be a factor in the differences.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling of agitation and irritability that could be triggered by stress or an illness. It can make a person feel anxious, excited or tense. It can also trigger suicidal or aggressive behavior. People who are anxious are often unable to sleep and might have problems with their relationships or at work.
If someone is agitated frequently, they should talk to their doctor. The doctor may want them to consider therapy or medication. If they feel chest pain or trouble breathing, it could be a sign of a heart attack.
Sometimes agitation can be a sign of depression. Depression can bring feelings of despair, sadness, and feeling of helplessness. Some people who are depressed might suffer from agitation. This is usually caused by restlessness and anxiety. This is referred to as"agitated depression," and experts are still learning the ways in which this kind of depression is different from other forms of depression.
Other times, agitation is the symptom of a mental health issue like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make it difficult for people to determine what is real and what is not. These people may pace or hold hands or feel like they can't stay still.
Agitation is also a side effect of some medications, including antipsychotic drugs. People who take these medicines should consult with their doctor when they experience frequent agitation. Doctors can prescribe a treatment that does not have this effect. Apart from these medications people can also try to decrease their anxiety by avoiding situations that can stress them out, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Women who suffer from depression are afflicted with a serious mental health condition that can trigger feelings of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness. It can also cause difficulties with sleeping, eating and thinking clearly. Women should seek treatment for depression when they begin to start to notice signs. This can prevent the symptoms from getting worse and could lead to the possibility of a relapse.
According to research studies, women are more susceptible to depression than men. This is thought to be due to the multiple roles women have in their lives, for example being a wife and mother which can cause stress or burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes, which can lead to depression. This is especially true during pregnancy and after menopause.
It is also possible that certain women are more prone for depression due to an earlier experience with the condition or a family history of it. This can also apply to women who lack self-esteem, or have had issues with sexuality or body image issues.
Women who suffer from depression might suffer from sleep issues, fatigue and thoughts of suicide or death. Additionally women who suffer from depression can also feel a sense of guilt or shame. This is due to the fact that women are more likely to blame themselves for their low moods and this can be made worse by the fact that they bear more responsibility to care for their children and other loved ones. inattentive adhd symptoms can ease these symptoms. However, it's essential to seek advice from a professional from a specialist.