ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD are often misunderstood or dismissed as being too emotional. For some, even minor inconveniences such as waiting in lines or waiting for a call can drive them into rage or disorientation.
Gender stereotypes may also mask symptoms making it difficult to recognize and diagnose. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They may feel that their lives are in chaotic, or constant chaos. They are also unable to receive the support they require from family and friends. They also have a harder time handling criticism and stress which makes them more prone to depression and anxiety. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to engage in sexually risky behavior, like promiscuity or casual sexual activity. These sexually transmitted diseases as well as unplanned pregnancy, low self-esteem, and feelings of shame.
Some psychologists are building up research on ADHD among adult women. 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 suffer from comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety. These co-occurring disorders can cause or worsen ADHD symptoms, affecting a woman's ability to function at work, school, and at home.
Rucklidge explains that a lot of the same biases that affect men and boys make it hard to diagnose ADHD in women and girls. Rating scales tend to favor male behavior, and girls may have less efficient strategies to cope at school or at work. Women with impulsive ADHD are often seen as irrational or aggressive, and they may conceal their symptoms to be accepted into.
In addition, many of the same behavioral symptoms are present in all three types of ADHD. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They might be agitated and fidgety, or on the go and disruptive or forgetful, unorganized, talkative and impatient not able and unwilling to wait for 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 overwhelming to attempt to keep track of your time efficiently and manage all the daily tasks. Children may be late to school for important deadlines or a worker might miss important meetings. Inattention ADHD can also cause issues in relationships as others become annoyed by a friend or coworker who is often lost in thoughts.
It's easy to overlook or dismiss the non-hyperactive signs of ADHD because they aren't as visible as typical symptoms. adult adhd symptoms who have inattentive ADHD often are mistaken for being lazy or uncooperative because they don't follow instructions from teachers or parents or even daydream in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are also often ignored because their symptoms might not be as obvious as their peers who exhibit impulsivity or hyperactivity.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can include having trouble staying focused, easily pulled off task and unable to pay attention to details and poor listening skills and frequent misplacing of items. Inattentive ADHD symptoms may also be exacerbated by stress, anxiety, diet and nutrition, mineral deficiencies, medication side effects (particularly certain stimulant medications), poor sleep, depression, or other medical ailments.
Inattentional ADHD affects more females and girls than any other ADD presentation, but it is often misdiagnosed and not treated. This is due to a variety of factors, including the specific symptoms, higher rates of anxiety and affective disorders in females and rating scales that favor male behavior. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are also influenced by hormonal changes during menstrual cycles.
Impulsiveness
People who have trouble controlling their impulses usually experience a sense of excitement or tension before taking action on their impulses. They also have trouble resisting impulses, even if they know that the behaviour is harmful or untrue. They often feel remorse or guilt afterwards, too.
It's normal for young children to behave impulsively however they get rid of it as they mature 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.
The tendency to be impulsive could be a sign of a mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, stroke, brain tumors, or diabetes. Alcohol can also trigger you to be impulsive because it reduces your inhibitions.
A lack of impulse control can impact your relationships, career and your daily life. For example, if you have ADHD an impulsive behavior could affect your daily routine and affect your ability to work or manage money. Interrupting other people while they talk, blurting answers to questions, and having difficulty waiting in line are all symptoms. Adults who are in a state of impulsive behavior include spending excessive amounts of money in a hurry, shopping on a whim or consuming too much TV.
It's important to understand the difference between impulsive and compulsive behavior. Compulsive behaviour is repetitive and ritualistic, while impulsive behaviour is spontaneous. For instance, sticking your hand into the fire to check if it's burning is an impulsive action and checking it over and over again to ensure that the stove is off is a habitual behavior. Studies have shown that men are more aggressive than women, but researchers don't know exactly why. Researchers suggest that genetics and hormonal changes in adulthood or adolescence, as well as the surrounding environment could be significant factors.
Agitation
Stress or a medical issue can trigger a feeling of agitation and anger. It may cause a person to feel anxious, excited or nervous, and it can trigger aggressive or suicidal behaviours. People who are stressed might have trouble sleeping and may have issues in their relationships as well as at work.
Speak to your doctor if you are agitated often. The doctor may want them to try a medication or therapy. They should also visit the hospital if they experience chest pain or difficulty breathing which could indicate an attack on the heart.
Sometimes, agitation can be a sign of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and feeling of helplessness. People with depression might also be agitated which is often accompanied with restlessness and anxiety. This is called an agitated depression. Experts are still learning about how this kind of depression differs from other forms of depression.
Other times, agitation is the symptom of a mental health condition like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These conditions can make it difficult for people to determine what is real and what's not. Patients with these conditions may feel like they can't stay still, and they may move around or shake their hands.
Agitation can also be an effect of certain medications, such as antipsychotic drugs. People who take these medicines should consult their physician when they experience frequent agitation. In some instances, doctors will give the patient a different drug that doesn't have this side effect. In addition to these medicines, a person may also reduce their agitation through avoiding stressful situations, eating healthy diet, and taking enough rest.
Depression
Depression in women is an extremely serious mental health issue that can lead to feelings of sadness, despair and despair. It can also cause problems with sleeping, eating and thinking clearly. Women need to seek treatment for depression immediately they notice symptoms. This can help prevent the symptoms from getting worse and may even prevent the relapse of depression.
Research suggests that women are more likely to suffer from depression than men. It is often thought that this is due to the multitude of roles that women have in their lives, like being a wife and mother and can cause stress or lead to burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes which can lead to depression. This is especially the case during pregnancy and after menopause.
It is possible that certain women are at a greater risk of depression due to a prior history of depression, or a family background of it. This could also be the case for women who are self-conscious or who have struggled with sexuality or body image issues.
Women who suffer from depression might be suffering from fatigue, sleep issues and thoughts of suicide or death. Additionally, women who have depression may also feel feelings of guilt or shame. This is due to the fact that women are more likely to blaming themselves for their low moods and this can be made worse by the fact that they are entrusted with a greater responsibility to care for their children and other family members. Antidepressant medications can ease these symptoms. However, it is essential to seek advice from a professional from a medical professional.