ADD Symptoms in Women
Women suffering from ADD are often misunderstood or dismissed as being too emotional. For some, even minor inconveniences like standing in lines or waiting for a call can drive them to distraction or rage.
Gender stereotypes can disguise symptoms, making them difficult to detect and identify. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to help determine whether a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the everyday tasks they have to perform. They may feel like a constant mess or chaos and struggle to find the help they require from family and friends. They are also more vulnerable to depression and anxiety because they are unable to cope with managing stress and criticism. Women with ADHD are also more likely to engage in risky sexual actions like sexually promiscuous or casual sex. These situations can result in sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies, as well as low self-esteem, and feelings of shame.
A few psychologists are working on advancing the research on ADHD in women who are adults. Julia Rucklidge is a PhD student from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She is the leader of this project. She and her coworkers focus on females who suffer from comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These co-occurring conditions can be a source of confusion or even worsen ADHD which can affect the ability of a woman to perform at work, home, and school.
Rucklidge explains how many of the same biases which affect men and boys also make it difficult to diagnose ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and females' strategies for coping may not be as effective in the classroom or workplace. Women who have hyperactive ADHD are often dismissed as being irrational or aggressive and can hide their symptoms in order to be accepted into.
The three different subtypes of ADHD have a variety of behavioral symptoms. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They may be restless and fidgety, or on the go or distracted and disorganized, forgetful or impatient. They may also be agitated and talkative inability and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Inattentive ADHD can be equally detrimental to children and adults. It can be overwhelming to attempt to keep track of your time efficiently and keep track of all the daily tasks. Children may miss important deadlines in school or a worker could miss important meetings. Inattention ADHD can also cause relationships problems when other people become frustrated when a partner or colleague is often lost in thought.
The non-hyperactive manifestation of ADHD is less apparent than the symptoms that are commonly associated with it, therefore it is easy for people to overlook or dismiss these problems. Children who have inattentive ADHD often are mistaken for being lazy or uncooperative because they don't follow the instructions of teachers or parents or even ponder their thoughts in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked as their symptoms may be less evident than those of their peers with impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Attention deficit ADHD symptoms can include difficulty staying focused, getting easily distracted, having poor listening skills, and losing things frequently. Inattentional ADHD can be exacerbated or made more severe by stress, anxiety and other issues like depression, poor sleep, nutrition, medication side-effects (especially stimulant medications), poor diet, and nutritional deficiencies.
Inattentive ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls than any other ADD presentation, but it is often misdiagnosed and untreated. This is largely due to a variety of factors, such as specific symptom manifestations, higher prevalence of co-existing anxiety and affective disorders among females, and rating scales that are biased towards male behavior. Inattention ADHD symptoms are also influenced by hormone fluctuations during the menstrual period.
Impulsiveness
People who struggle to control their impulses usually feel a sense of tension or excitement prior to acting on their urges. They also have a hard to resist their urges, even if they are aware that the actions are harmful or problematic. Afterward, they often feel guilt or regret.
It's normal for young children to behave impulsively, but they grow out of it as they grow older and begin to understand the consequences of their actions. It's also a symptom of certain disorders, such as ADHD and antisocial personality disorder and pyromania (the urge to light fires).
The tendency to be impulsive could indicate that you have an illness of the mind, like bipolar disorder, a brain tumor or stroke or a medical condition that is chronic such as diabetes or heart disease. Certain substances, such as alcohol, can cause inhibitions to be broken and lead you to act impulsively.
A lack of impulse control can affect your relationships, work and your daily life. If you have ADHD for instance, impulsive behavior can interfere with your daily routine and impair your ability to manage your finances or work. Interrupting others while they're talking, blurting out answers to questions, and having trouble waiting in line are all symptoms. In link , impulsive behaviors may include shopping on impulse, spending too much money, or watching excessive amounts of television.
It is crucial to differentiate between compulsive and impulsive behavior. Compulsive behavior is ritualistic and repetitive, while impulsive behaviour is spontaneous. For instance, placing a hand in a fire to see if it's still on is an act of impulsiveness, while checking the stove on a regular basis to ensure it's off is a regular habit. Researchers don't know why men are more impulsive. Researchers speculate that genetics and hormonal changes in adolescence or adulthood, and also the environment could be contributing factors.
Agitation
Stress or a medical condition can cause a feeling of restlessness and irritation. It can make a person feel anxious, stressed or tense. It could also lead to aggressive or suicidal behavior. People who are anxious frequently have trouble getting to sleep and may have issues with their relationships or at work.
If someone is agitated often, they should speak to their doctor. The doctor might suggest that they try therapy or medication. If they experience chest pain or trouble breathing, this could be a sign of a heartattack.
Sometimes agitation can be an indication of depression. Depression can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. Some people with depression might also be agitated, which is often combined with restlessness and anxiety. This is known as agitated depressive disorder, and experts still aren't certain of how it differs from other types.
Sometimes, agitation may be an indication of a mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make it hard for a person to tell what is real and what's not. These people may pace or shake hands, or feel as if they can't stay still.
Some medications, such as antipsychotics, can cause anxiety. If you feel agitated frequently, talk to your doctor. Doctors may prescribe a medicine that does not have this effect. Aside from these medicines one can attempt to reduce their agitation by staying clear of situations that cause stress and eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep.
The following are some of the methods to lower your risk:
Depression in women is a serious mental health problem that can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness and despair. It can also cause difficulties with eating, sleeping and focusing. It is important for women to get treatment for depression at the earliest indication of the illness. This will help to prevent symptoms from becoming worse and could even prevent the possibility of a relapse in depression.
Research indicates that women are more likely to experience depression than men. This is believed to be due to the numerous roles women play in their lives, for example being a mother, wife, and wife, which can lead to 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 possible that certain women are more at risk of depression because of previous experience with the disorder, or a family background of it. This can also apply to women who have low self-esteem, or have had issues with sexuality or body image issues.
The most prominent symptoms that are common in women who suffer from depression include fatigue, lack of motivation sleeplessness, insomnia and thoughts of death or suicide. Women who are depressed might also feel guilt or shame. This is because women are more prone to blame themselves for their mood issues which is exacerbated by the fact that they are entrusted with a greater responsibility to care for their children and other family members. The use of antidepressants can alleviate these symptoms, but it is important to seek out professional advice and guidance from a specialist.
