ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD are often misunderstood, or dismissed as being overly emotional. For some, even minor inconveniences such as waiting in lines or waiting in line can lead them to distraction or rage.
Gender stereotypes can also camouflage symptoms, making them hard to identify and identify. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by the daily tasks they are required to complete. They might feel that their lives are in chaotic, or constant chaos. They may also have difficulty to receive the support they need from family and friends. They also have a difficult time handling criticism and stress which makes them more prone to anxiety and depression. Women with ADHD are also more likely to engage risky sexual actions like sexually promiscuous or casual sexual relations. These behaviors can result in sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies and low self-esteem, as well as feelings of shame.
Some psychologists are 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 effort. Her and her colleagues are focusing on women who have comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These co-occurring disorders can mask or exacerbate ADHD symptoms, affecting the ability of a woman to perform at school, work and at home.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases that affect both men and boys make it difficult to identify ADHD for girls and women. Rating scales tend to favor male behavior, and a female might have less efficient strategies to cope in the workplace or at college. Women who exhibit hyperactive ADHD symptoms are often viewed as being irrational or agressive and are more likely to conceal their symptoms to fit in better.
All three subtypes of ADHD share a number of behavioral signs. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They may be fidgety, disorganized or constantly moving and unorganized, talkative, impatient and unable to wait their turn, and prone 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. The struggle to stay organized, manage time efficiently and stay on top of everyday tasks can be overwhelming. A child might not be able to meet important deadlines at school or a worker might miss important meetings. Inattention ADHD can also cause issues in relationships, as people become frustrated by a partner or colleague who is frequently lost in thoughts.
It's easy to dismiss or ignore the non-hyperactive symptoms of ADHD because they are less obvious than stereotypical symptoms. Children with inattentive ADHD often are portrayed as being lazy or uncooperative due to their inability to follow the instructions of parents or teachers, or daydream in class. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked because their symptoms are less obvious than their peers who exhibit impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can include difficulty staying focused, getting easily distracted, lacking listening skills, as well as misplacing belongings often. Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also be worsened by stress, anxiety, diet and nutrition, mineral deficiencies as well as medication-related adverse effects (particularly certain stimulant medications) poor sleep and depression, as well as other medical conditions.
Inattentive ADHD affects more women and girls than any other ADD presentation, but it is often misdiagnosed and untreated. This is due to a variety of factors including the specific symptoms presented with higher rates of anxiety and affective disorder in females and rating scales that favor male behavior. In addition, hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles can greatly affect how irritable ADHD symptoms appear.
Impulsiveness
People who are unable to control their impulses feel a sense of tension or excitement before they act in response to their impulses. They also have trouble resisting urges, even when they know that the behavior is harmful or problematic. They often feel remorse or guilt afterward, too.
Children often act impulsively when they are learning about the consequences of their decisions. It can also be a sign of certain disorders like ADHD, antisocial personalities disorder and pyromania.
Impulsivity could be a sign of a mental illness such as bipolar disorder, stroke, brain tumors, or diabetes. Certain substances, such as alcohol, can cause inhibitions to be broken and cause you to behave recklessly.
A lack of impulse control can affect your relationships, career and daily life. If you suffer from ADHD, for example your impulsive behavior could affect your daily routine and impair your ability to manage money or work. Symptoms include interrupting others when they're talking, uttering answers to questions and struggling to wait for your turn when you're in line. In adults, impulsive behaviors could include shopping on a whim, spending too much money or watching too much television.
It is important to distinguish between compulsive and impulsive behavior. While impulsive behaviors are spontaneous, compulsive behaviors are repetitive and ritualistic. For instance, placing the hand in the fire to see if it's still on is an impulsive action and checking the stove frequently to ensure it's off is a routine behavior. Researchers don't know why males are more than women. Researchers speculate that genetics and hormonal changes in adulthood or adolescence, and also the environment could be the cause.
Agitation
Stress or a medical issue can cause a feeling of restlessness and anger. It can make someone feel anxious, agitated or tense. It can also trigger suicidal or aggressive behavior. People who are anxious may have difficulty sleeping and experience problems in their relationships and at work.
Speak to your doctor if you feel agitated often. The doctor may want them to try a medication or therapy. If they feel chest pain or trouble breathing, it could be an indication of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation can be a sign of depression. Depression can lead to feelings of despair, sadness and hopelessness. People with depression may also experience agitation that is usually accompanied with anxiety and restlessness. This is called agitated depressive disorder, and doctors don't know how it differs from other types.
Sometimes, agitation could be an indication of a mental illness such as 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 might feel that they are unable to sit still, and they might be agitated or wringing their hands.
Some medications, such as antipsychotics, can cause anxiety. If you are experiencing agitation on a regular basis, talk to your doctor. In some instances, doctors will give the patient a different drug that doesn't have this side effect. Aside from these medicines, a person can try to decrease their anxiety by staying clear of situations that stress them out, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Women who are depressed can experience feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can also cause problems with eating, sleeping and focusing. Women should seek treatment for depression when they begin to start to notice signs. This can stop the symptoms from becoming worse and may even lead to an relapse.
Research indicates that women are more likely to be affected by depression than men. It is thought that this is due to the variety of roles women fill in their lives, like being a wife and mother that can cause stress or cause burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes which can cause depression. This is especially the case during pregnancy and after menopause.
It is also possible that some women are more prone for depression because of an earlier diagnosis of depression or the family history of it. This is also true for women who have low self-esteem or who have struggled with sexuality or body image issues.
The most prominent signs that are present in women suffering from depression include fatigue, lack of motivation as well as sleeplessness and thoughts of dying or suicide. In adults adhd symptoms suffering from depression may also experience feelings of guilt or shame. Women tend to blame themselves for their low spirits and this is increased when they are required to take care of their children and family members. The use of antidepressants can help with these symptoms, but it is important to seek professional advice and guidance from a doctor.