ADD Symptoms in Women
Women suffering from ADD are often misunderstood, or dismissed as being excessively emotional. For some, even minor inconveniences such as waiting in lines or waiting on hold drive them into rage or disorientation.
Gender stereotypes can also mask symptoms making it difficult to recognize and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to help determine if a woman suffers from undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They might describe their lives as like a constant chaos, and they are unable to receive the help they require from family and friends. They are also more vulnerable to anxiety and depression because they have a hard time dealing with stress and criticism. Women with ADHD are also more likely to engage risky sexual actions like casual or promiscuous sexual activity. These situations can result in to sexually transmitted diseases as well as unplanned pregnancy, low self-esteem, and feelings of shame.
A few psychologists are working to build up the research on ADHD in women of adulthood. Julia Rucklidge is a PhD student at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She is the head of this research. Her team focuses on females who suffer from comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety. These co-occurring disorders can mask or exacerbate ADHD symptoms, which can affect the ability of a woman to perform at school, work and at home.
Rucklidge says that many of the same biases that affect boys and men make it difficult to recognize ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales are skewed towards male behavior, and a female might have less effective strategies for coping in college or at work. Women with impulsive ADHD are often viewed as irrational or aggressive, and may hide their symptoms to be accepted into.
In addition, many of the same behavioral symptoms are found in all three types of ADHD. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. symptoms of adhd adults may be fidgety disorganized or constantly moving, forgetful and disorganized and impatient, unable to wait their turn, and susceptible to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Although the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, inattentive ADHD can be just as debilitating for children and adults alike. It can be difficult to try and keep track of your time well and keep track of all your daily tasks. A child may be late to school for important deadlines or a worker might miss important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can also cause relationship problems as other people become frustrated when a partner or colleague is often lost in thought.
The non-hyperactive form of ADHD is less apparent than the symptoms that are commonly associated with it, therefore it is easy to overlook or dismiss these challenges. Children with inattentive ADHD often get mistaken for being lazy or indifferent because they fail to follow instructions given by parents or teachers, or daydream in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked since their symptoms might be less evident than those of their peers who exhibit impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms may include difficulties staying focused, becoming easily distracted, lacking listening skills, as well as misplacing belongings often. Attention deficit ADHD symptoms can also be exacerbated by stress, anxiety as well as diet and nutrition mineral deficiencies and medication side effects (particularly certain stimulant medications) and sleep issues, depression, or other medical conditions.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more prevalent among girls and women than other ADD presentations, but this type of ADD is often not diagnosed and untreated. This is due to a number of factors, including the specific symptoms presented, higher rates of anxiety and affective disorders in females, and rating scales that favor male behavior. Inattention ADHD symptoms are also influenced by hormonal changes during menstrual cycles.
Impulsiveness
People who have trouble controlling their impulses frequently feel a sense of excitement or tension before acting on their urges. They also have a tough to resist the urges even if they are aware that the behaviour is dangerous or harmful. Afterward, they often feel guilt or regret.
It's normal for young children to behave impulsively but they become aware of it as they grow and learn more about the consequences of their actions. It's also a sign of certain disorders, such as ADHD and antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania (the urge to light fires).
Impulsivity may be a sign of a mental illness, like bipolar disorder or stroke, brain tumors or diabetes. Alcohol can also cause you to act impulsively because it reduces your inhibitions.
An inability to control your impulses can impact your relationships, work and your daily life. If you have ADHD, for example, impulsive behavior can interfere with your routine and impact your ability to manage your finances or work. The signs include interrupting people when they're talking, blurting out answers to questions and finding it difficult to wait your turn when standing in line. In adults, impulsive behaviors may include shopping on decision, spending too much money or watching excessive amounts of television.
It is important to know the difference between impulsive and compulsive behavior. Compulsive behaviour is repetitive and ritualistic however impulsive behavior is spontaneous. For instance, placing your hand in the flame to check whether it's still burning is an impulsive behavior while constantly checking to make sure the stove is turned off is a compulsive behavior. Researchers don't know why men are more aggressive. Researchers suggest that genetics and hormonal changes in adolescence or adulthood, as well as the surrounding environment could be the cause.
Agitation
Stress or a medical issue can cause a feeling of restlessness and anger. It can cause a person to feel anxious, excited, or nervous, and it could lead to aggression or suicidal behavior. People who are agitated may have difficulty sleeping and experience problems in their relationships or at work.
Consult your doctor if you are frequently agitated. The doctor might suggest that they try medication or therapy. It is also recommended to visit the hospital in case they experience chest pain or breathing problems that could be a sign of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can cause feelings of despair, sadness, and feeling of helplessness. Some people who suffer from depression may suffer from agitation. This is often accompanied by anxiety and restlessness. This is referred to as agitated depression disorder, and doctors aren't sure what makes it different from other kinds.
In other instances, agitation may be an indication of a mental health issue such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make an individual unable to discern between what is real and what isn't. Patients with these conditions might feel that they can't stay still, and may move around or shake their hands.
Agitation can also be an effect of certain medication, such as antipsychotics. If you are experiencing agitation frequently discuss it with your doctor. In some instances doctors may prescribe the patient a different drug that does not have this side effect. In addition to these medications one can attempt to decrease their anxiety by avoiding situations that can stress them out and eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest.
Depression
Depression in women can cause feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can also cause problems with sleep, eating and the ability to think clearly. Women need to seek treatment for depression when they begin to start to notice signs. This can stop the symptoms from getting worse and could lead to a relapse.
Research indicates that women are more likely to suffer from depression than men. It is believed that this is due to the number of roles women fill in their lives, like being a wife and mother that can cause stress or lead to burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes which can lead to depression. This is particularly true during menopausal cycles and after pregnancy.
It is possible that some women have a higher chance of developing depression due to previous history of depression or a family history of it. This can also apply to women who have low self-esteem or who have had issues with body image or sexuality issues.
A few of the symptoms that can be seen in depression in women include fatigue, lack of motivation sleeplessness, insomnia and thoughts of death or suicide. Additionally, women who have depression may also experience feelings of guilt or shame. Women tend to blame themselves for their depressed mood and this may be exacerbated because they have to care for their children and other loved ones. Antidepressant medications can help alleviate these symptoms. However, it's important to seek professional advice from a doctor.