ADD Symptoms in Women
Women suffering from ADD are often misunderstood or dismissed as being excessively emotional. For some, small inconveniences like standing in lines or waiting on hold drive them into rage or distraction.
Gender stereotypes can be a reason for symptoms to be hidden making it difficult to recognize and diagnose. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a woman suffers from undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD often find themselves overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They may feel like their lives are a constant mess, or chaos. They also find it hard to receive the support they need from family and friends. They also have a difficult dealing with stress and criticism and are more susceptible to depression and anxiety. Women who suffer from ADHD can also be more likely to engage in risky sexual actions, like promiscuity or casual sexual activity. These experiences can lead to sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies and low self-esteem, as well as feelings of shame.
Some psychologists are developing research on ADHD in adult women. Julia Rucklidge is a PhD student at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She is leading this effort. She and her coworkers focus on females who suffer from comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These co-occurring illnesses can be a source of confusion or even worsen ADHD which can affect the capacity of a woman to function at home, work, and school.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases that affect boys and men make it difficult to recognize ADHD in women and girls. Rating scales are skewed toward male behavior, and females' strategies for dealing with stress may not be as effective in college or the workplace. Women with an impulsive ADHD are often viewed as being irrational or aggressive and they may conceal their symptoms to fit in.
The three different subtypes of ADHD share many behavioral symptoms. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They could be unruly, fidgety or on the go or distracted or forgetful, unorganized and impatient not able and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Attention-deficit ADHD can be equally detrimental to adults and children. The struggles to stay organized and effectively manage time and stay on top of the daily chores can be overwhelming. For example children may not be able to meet 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 colleague is often lost in thought.
It's easy to dismiss or ignore the non-hyperactive signs of ADHD because they are less obvious than typical symptoms. Children with inattentive ADHD often are mistaken for being lazy or uncooperative because they fail to follow the instructions of teachers or parents, or daydream in class. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked, as their symptoms may be less evident than those of their peers' hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms may include difficulties staying focused, getting easily distracted, having poor listening skills, and losing belongings frequently. Inattentional ADHD can be exacerbated or made worse by anxiety, stress, and other issues like insomnia, depression nutrition, medication side-effects (especially stimulant medications), poor diet, and nutritional deficiencies.
Attention-deficit ADHD affects more females and girls than any other ADD presentation, yet it is often misdiagnosed and untreated. This is due to a variety of factors, including specific symptom presentations, higher rates of co-existing anxiety disorders and affective disorders among females, and ratings scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior. Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also be affected by hormone fluctuations during the menstrual period.
Impulsiveness
People who have difficulty controlling their impulses experience a feeling of excitement or tension prior to acting in response to their impulses. They also struggle to resist urges, even if they are aware that their act is harmful or dangerous. They often feel guilt or guilt afterward, too.
Children tend to act in impulsive ways when they are learning about the consequences of their decisions. It's also a sign of certain diseases like ADHD as well as antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania (the urge to light fires).
Impulsivity can be a sign that you suffer from mental health issues like bipolar disorder stroke or brain tumor or a chronic medical problem like diabetes or heart disease. Alcohol can also cause you to act out in a reckless manner by reducing your inhibitions.
Lack of impulse control can affect your relationships, career and daily life. For instance, if you suffer from ADHD the impulsive behavior can disrupt your day-to-day routine and hinder your ability to manage your money or work. Interrupting people when they are talking, blurting answers to questions, and having difficulty waiting in line are all symptoms. In adults, impulsive behaviors can include shopping on a impulse, spending too much money or watching excessive amounts of television.
It is important to distinguish between compulsive and impulsive behavior. Compulsive behavior is ritualistic and repetitive however impulsive behavior is spontaneous. For example, putting your hand in the fire to check whether it's still burning is an impulsive behavior, while repeatedly checking to make sure the stove is not on is a compulsive behavior. Studies have shown that men are more aggressive than women, but researchers aren't sure why. Researchers suggest that hormonal changes and genetics in adulthood or adolescence, as well as the surrounding environment could be significant factors.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling that causes restlessness and irritability which can be triggered by stress or a medical condition. It can make a person feel anxious, stressed or anxious. It can also lead to aggressive or suicidal behaviors. People who are stressed may have difficulty sleeping and have problems with their relationships or at work.
Talk to your doctor if you are agitated often. The doctor might suggest that they try a medication or therapy. If they feel chest pain or have trouble breathing, it could be a sign of a heart attack.
Sometimes, what are the symptoms of adhd in adults may be a sign of depression. Depression can cause feelings of hopelessness, sadness and despair. Some people who suffer from depression may suffer from agitation. This is usually associated with anxiety and agitation. This is known as an agitated depression. Experts are still learning about how this type of depression differs from other types of depression.
Sometimes, agitation can be a symptom of a mental health issue like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These conditions can make it hard for someone to discern what is real and what's not. People who have these conditions may feel like they are unable to sit still, and they may move around or shake their hands.
Agitation can also be an effect of certain medications, including antipsychotic drugs. If you are experiencing agitation regularly discuss it with your doctor. In some cases, doctors will give the patient a different medication that does not have this side effect. Apart from these medications, a person can try to lessen their anxiety by staying clear of situations that can stress them out and eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Women who suffer from depression are afflicted with an extremely serious mental health issue that can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness and despair. It can also lead to problems with sleeping, eating and focusing. Women need to seek treatment for depression when they begin to begin to notice signs. This can stop symptoms from worsening and even the possibility of a return.
According to research, women are more susceptible to depression than men. This is thought to be due to the multiple roles women play in their lives, such as being a wife and mother and father, which can cause burnout or stress. Women are also more likely to have hormonal changes that can lead to depression, for example during pregnancy or after menopause.
It is also possible that certain women are at higher risk for depression due to a previous history of the condition or the family history of it. This is also true for women who are self-conscious or who have struggled with body image or sexuality issues.
Women who suffer from depression might suffer from sleep issues, fatigue and thoughts of suicide or death. People who are depressed may be prone to feeling guilt or shame. This is due to the fact that women are more susceptible to blame themselves for their moods, which can be exacerbated by the fact that they bear more responsibility to care for their children and other family members. The use of antidepressant medication can help with these symptoms however it is essential to seek out professional advice and guidance from a doctor.