ADD Symptoms in Women
Women suffering from ADD often get misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. For some, small inconveniences such as waiting in lines or waiting for a call can drive them to distraction or rage.
Stereotypes about gender can be a reason for symptoms to be hidden which makes it difficult to detect and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to determine whether a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD often find themselves overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They may describe their lives as feeling like a constant mess or chaos, and they find it difficult to get the help they require from friends and family. They are also more vulnerable to anxiety and depression because they have a hard time managing stress and criticism. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to engage in risky sexual actions like sexually promiscuous or casual sexual relations. These situations can result in sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies, as well as low self-esteem, and feelings shame.
Psychologists are working on advancing the research on ADHD in women of adulthood. Julia Rucklidge is a PhD student from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She is leading this effort. Her and her colleagues are focusing on women who suffer from comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety. These co-occurring conditions can mask or increase ADHD symptoms, which can affect the ability of a woman to perform at work, school, and home.
Rucklidge explains that a lot of the same biases that affect men and boys make it hard to diagnose ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales tend to favor male behavior, and a girl's strategies for dealing with stress may not be as efficient in the college setting or in the workplace. Women who have hyperactive ADHD symptoms are often viewed as being irrational or agressive and are more likely to conceal their symptoms to make themselves more acceptable to.
In addition to that, a lot of the same behavioral signs are found in all three types of ADHD. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They could be unruly and fidgety, or constantly moving around, disruptive and disorganized, forgetful and impatient not able and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Inattentional ADHD can be equally detrimental for adults and children. The struggles to stay organized and effectively manage time and track everyday tasks can be overwhelming. Children may not be able to meet important deadlines at school or a worker might miss important meetings. Inattentive ADHD may also cause relationship problems as other people are annoyed when a partner or colleague is often distracted by thoughts.
It's easy to overlook or dismiss the non-hyperactive symptoms of ADHD because they aren't as visible as stereotypical symptoms. Children who have inattentive ADHD often are portrayed as being uncooperative or lazy because they don't follow the instructions of teachers or parents, or daydream in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked, as their symptoms may be less evident than those of their peers' hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Inattentional ADHD can include trouble staying focused, being easily pulled off task, difficulty paying attention to small details and poor listening skills and frequent misplacing of items. Attention deficit ADHD symptoms may also be worsened by stress, anxiety or depression, diet and nutrition mineral deficiencies and medication adverse effects (particularly certain stimulant medications) and sleep issues and depression, as well as other medical ailments.
Inattentional ADHD is more prevalent among females and girls than any other ADD manifestation, but it is often misdiagnosed and not treated. This is largely due to a variety of factors, including specific symptom presentations, higher rates of coexisting anxiety and affective disorders in females and ratings scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior. Furthermore, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle may significantly affect how irritable ADHD symptoms manifest.
Impulsiveness
People who struggle to control their impulses feel a sense of tension or excitement prior to acting in response to their impulses. They also have a difficult time resisting the urges, even when they know the actions are detrimental or dangerous. They often feel remorse or guilt following the incident, too.
It's normal for young children to be impulsive, but they grow out of it as they grow older and become aware of the consequences of their actions. It can also be a sign of certain conditions such as ADHD as well as antisocial personalities disorder, and pyromania.
Impulsivity may be a sign of a mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, stroke, brain tumors, or diabetes. Alcohol can cause you to act out in a reckless manner because it reduces your inhibitions.
Insomniacs can affect your relationships, work and everyday life. For example, if you suffer from ADHD the impulsive behavior can interfere with your daily routine and hinder your ability to manage your money or work. Interrupting others while they are talking, blurting answers to questions, and having trouble waiting in line are all signs. In adults, impulsive behaviors can include shopping on a decision or spending too much money, or watching too much television.
It is important to distinguish between compulsive and impulsive behavior. While impulsive behavior is spontanious, compulsive actions are routine and ritualistic. For example, putting your hand into the fire to see if it's burning is an impulsive behavior, while repeatedly checking to ensure that the stove is off is a compulsive act. Studies have shown that men are more impulsive than women, but researchers aren't able to pinpoint the reason. Researchers speculate that hormonal changes and genetics in adolescence or adulthood, as well as the environment could be the cause.
Agitation
Stress or a medical condition can trigger a feeling of agitation and anger. It can make someone feel anxious, stressed or nervous. It can also lead to suicidal or aggressive behavior. People who are agitated are often unable to sleep and could have problems with their relationships or at work.
Speak to your doctor if you are agitated often. The doctor may suggest to consider therapy or medication. They should also go to the hospital if they experience chest pain or breathing problems that could indicate heart attacks.
Sometimes agitation can be a sign of depression. symptoms of adhd can trigger feelings of despair, sadness and hopelessness. People who suffer from depression may experience agitation. This is often accompanied by anxiety and restlessness. This is referred to as an agitated depression. adult add symptoms are still learning about how this type of depression differs from other types of depression.
Sometimes, agitation may be an indication of a mental illness such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These conditions can make an individual unable to discern between the real and fake. People with these conditions may sway or shake hands or feel as if they are unable to remain still.
Certain medications, like antipsychotics, can trigger agitation. People who take these medicines should consult with their doctor if they feel agitated regularly. Doctors may prescribe a medicine that isn't prone to this effect. In addition to these medicines they can reduce their anxiety by avoiding stressful situations, eating healthy diet, and taking enough sleep.
The following are some of the methods to lower your risk:
Women who suffer from depression can experience feelings of despair and sadness. It can also cause problems with sleep, eating and focusing. It is crucial for women to get treatment for depression at the earliest indication of the illness. This can help prevent the symptoms from getting worse and may even prevent the relapse of depression.
Research indicates that women are more likely to suffer from depression than men. It is often thought that this is due to the multitude of roles women play in their lives, such as being a mother and spouse that can cause stress or cause burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes, which can cause depression. This is especially true during menopausal cycles and after pregnancy.
symptoms of adhd is possible that some women are at a greater risk of depression due to a prior history of depression or a family history of it. This could also be the case for women who lack self-esteem or who have struggled with sexuality or body image issues.
Women who are depressed may suffer from sleep issues, fatigue and thoughts of suicide or death. Additionally women suffering from depression may also experience feelings of guilt or shame. This is because women are more likely to blaming themselves for their moods which is exacerbated by the fact that they have a greater responsibility to care for their children and other loved ones. The use of antidepressant medication can ease these symptoms however, it is crucial to seek out professional advice and guidance from a professional.