ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD frequently are misunderstood or dismissed as being emotionally prone. For some, minor nuisances such as waiting in lines or waiting on hold drive them into rage or disorientation.
Gender stereotypes may also obscure symptoms, making it difficult to recognize and diagnose. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD often find themselves overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They might feel like a constant chaos and are unable to receive the help they require from friends and family. They also have a harder time handling criticism and stress which makes them more prone to depression and anxiety. Women with ADHD are also more likely to engage risky sexual behaviors such as sexually explicit or casual sexual activity. These experiences can lead sexually transmitted illnesses as well as unplanned pregnancy, low self-esteem, and feelings of shame.
A few psychologists are currently working on developing research on ADHD among women of adulthood. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one such endeavor. She and her coworkers are focusing on women with comorbid disorders like depression and anxiety. These co-occurring illnesses can mask or exacerbate ADHD and affect the ability of women to perform at home, work and at school.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases that affect men and boys make it difficult to recognize ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales are skewed towards male behavior, and a female might not have the most effective strategies for coping at school or at work. Women with an impulsive ADHD are often viewed as irrational or aggressive, and can hide their symptoms to fit in.
In addition to this, a variety of the same behavioral signs can be observed in all three types of ADHD. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They can be fidgety, constantly on the move, disruptive or disorganized and impatient, unable to wait their turn, and susceptible to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
While the impulsive or hyperactive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, inattentive ADHD can be equally destructive for adults and children alike. It can be difficult to remain organized, manage your time effectively and keep track of all your daily tasks. For example a child might miss important deadlines at school or an employee might forget to attend important meetings. Inattention ADHD can also cause problems in relationships, as people become frustrated by a partner or colleague who is frequently lost in thought.
The non-hyperactive form of ADHD isn't as prominent as the stereotypical symptoms, so it's easy for people to overlook or dismiss these challenges. Children with inattentive ADHD are often portrayed as lazy or uncooperative kids because they don't follow the instructions of their parents or teachers or do not think about their thoughts during class. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked, because their symptoms are less evident than those of their peers with impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Attention deficit ADHD symptoms include difficulty staying focused, being easily distracted, having poor listening skills, and losing items often. Inattentional ADHD can be exacerbated or made more severe by stress, anxiety and other issues like depression, poor sleep and nutrition, side effects of medication (especially stimulant medications) and poor diet and nutritional deficiencies.
Attention-deficit ADHD affects more women and girls than other ADD presentation, yet it is often misdiagnosed and not treated. This is largely due to a variety of factors, including specific symptom manifestations, higher rates of co-existing anxiety disorders and affective disorders among females, and rating scales that are biased towards male behavior. Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also be affected by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period.
Impulsiveness
People who are unable to control their impulses frequently experience a sense of excitement or tension before engaging in their desires. They also have trouble resisting urges, even when they are aware that their behavior is harmful or problematic. They often feel remorse or guilt afterwards, too.
It's normal for young children to act impulsively, but they grow out of it as they grow older and learn more about the consequences of their actions. It can also be a sign of certain conditions such as ADHD, 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 cause you to act impulsively because it reduces your inhibitions.
Lack of impulse control can affect your relationships, career and your daily life. For instance, if suffer from ADHD the impulsive behavior can disrupt your day-to-day routine and impact your ability to manage your finances or work. Some of the symptoms include interrupting other people when they're talking, blurting out answers to questions, and struggling to wait for your turn in the line. Adults who are impulsive can include spending too much money or shopping on the spur of the moment or watching excessive television.
It is essential to distinguish 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 action and checking it over and over again to make sure the stove is not on is a habitual behavior. Studies show that men are more aggressive than women, but researchers aren't able to pinpoint the reason. They believe that the environment, genetics and hormonal changes in adolescence and adulthood could be the reason for the differences.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling that causes restlessness and irritability which can be triggered by stress or an illness. It can make someone feel anxious, excited or nervous. It could also lead to aggressive or suicidal behavior. People who are anxious may have difficulty sleeping and have problems with their relationships as well as at work.
If someone feels anxious frequently, they should talk to their doctor. The doctor may suggest to try a medication or therapy. They should also visit the hospital in case they experience chest pain or breathing problems which could be a sign of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can bring feelings of sadness, hopelessness and despair. People with depression may also have agitation that is usually accompanied with anxiety and restlessness. This is called an agitated depression. Experts are still learning the ways in which this kind of depression is different from other types of depression.
Other times, agitation is an indication of a mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make it difficult for a person to tell what is real and what is not. People who have these conditions may feel like they can't sit still, and they may be agitated or wringing their hands.
Agitation can also be a side effect of certain medication, such as antipsychotics. Patients taking these medications should talk to their doctor whenever they feel frequently agitated. Doctors can prescribe a medication that doesn't have this effect. Aside from these medicines people can also try to lessen their anxiety by avoiding situations that cause stress and eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Women who are depressed can experience feelings of despair and sadness. It can also cause issues with eating, sleep and the ability to think clearly. Women should seek treatment for depression as soon as they notice symptoms. female adhd symptoms will help to prevent symptoms from getting worse and may even prevent a relapse of depression.
According to research studies, women are more susceptible to depression than men. It is believed that this is due to the number of roles that women have in their lives, like being a wife and mother that can cause stress or cause burnout. Women are also more likely to experience hormonal changes that can cause depression, such as during menopausal or pregnancy.
It is also possible that women are at higher risk for depression because of a previous history of the condition or the family history of it. This can also be the case for women who have low self-esteem or who have faced issues related to body image or sexuality.
A few of the symptoms that can be seen in women suffering from depression include a lack of energy, difficulty sleeping and thoughts of suicide or suicide. Women who are depressed may also feel guilt or shame. Women tend to blame themselves for their moods, and this can be made worse by having to care for their children and family members. The use of antidepressant medication can alleviate these symptoms however, it is crucial to seek out professional advice and guidance from a professional.