ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD often get misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. For some, minor nuisances like standing in lines or waiting on hold drive them into rage or disorientation.
Gender stereotypes can also mask symptoms, making them difficult to identify and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to help determine if a woman suffers from undetected ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD often find themselves overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They may feel like their lives are a chaotic, or constant chaos. They are also unable to receive the support they require from family and friends. They are also more vulnerable to depression and anxiety because they have a hard time dealing with stress and criticism. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to engage in dangerous sexual activities, such as casual or promiscuous sexual activity. These behaviors can result in sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies and low self-esteem, as well as feelings of shame.
A few psychologists are currently working on 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 are focusing on women who suffer from comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These co-occurring disorders can cause or worsen ADHD, affecting the capacity of a woman to function at home, work and at school.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases that affect men and boys make it difficult to identify ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales are skewed towards male behavior, and girls may have less efficient strategies to cope in college or at work. Women who exhibit hyperactive ADHD symptoms are often viewed as aggressive or irrational and are more likely to conceal their symptoms in order to make themselves more acceptable to.
Additionally 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 as well as impatient, irritable and unable to wait their turn, and susceptible to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Although the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, inattentional ADHD can be just as debilitating for children and adults alike. It can be overwhelming to attempt to keep track of your time well 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 lead to relationship problems as other people are annoyed when a partner or coworker is often lost in thought.
The non-hyperactive manifestation of ADHD is less visible than the typical symptoms, and so it's easy for people to ignore or dismiss these problems. Children who have inattentive ADHD are often portrayed as lazy or uncooperative kids because they don't follow the instructions of their teachers or parents or do not think about their thoughts during class. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked, since their symptoms might be less obvious than their peers' hyperactivity and impulsivity.
The signs of inattention ADHD can include having trouble staying focused, easily distracted, difficulty paying attention to the smallest details, poor listening skills, and frequent misplacement of belongings. Inattentional ADHD can be aggravated or worsened by stress, anxiety and other disorders like insomnia, depression nutrition, medication side-effects (especially stimulant medications) and poor diet and nutritional deficiencies.
Inattentive ADHD is more common in women and girls than other ADD presentations, but this type of ADD is often not diagnosed and not treated. This is largely due to a variety of factors, such as specific symptom presentations, higher rates of co-existing anxiety disorders and affective disorders in females, and rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are also influenced by hormonal changes during menstrual cycles.
Impulsiveness
People who have trouble controlling their impulses frequently feel a sense of excitement or tension before acting on their urges. They also struggle to resist urges, even when they know that the behavior is harmful or problematic. In the end, they usually feel guilt or regret.
It's normal for children to behave impulsively, but they grow out of it as they mature and learn more about the consequences of their actions. It can also be a sign of some conditions like ADHD as well as antisocial personalities disorder and pyromania.
Impulsivity can be a sign that you suffer from mental health issues like bipolar disorder stroke or brain tumor or a chronic medical issue, such as heart disease or diabetes. Alcohol can also trigger you to act out in a reckless manner because it reduces your inhibitions.
Lack of impulse control can impact your relationships, work and daily life. If you suffer from ADHD for instance 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 finding it difficult to wait your turn when you're in the line. In adults, impulsive behaviors can include shopping on a impulse, spending too much money or watching too much television.
It's important to understand the distinction between compulsive and impulsive behavior. While impulsive behaviors are spontaneous, compulsive behavior is repetitive and ritualistic. For example, putting your hand in the fire to see if it's burning is an impulsive behavior, while repeatedly checking to make sure the stove is not on is a compulsive act. Researchers don't know why males are more impulsive. They suggest that environmental factors, genetics and hormonal changes that occur during the adolescent and adulthood years could be a factor in the differences.
Agitation
Stress or a medical condition can cause a feeling of restlessness and irritability. It can cause a person to feel anxious, excited or anxious. It could also lead to aggressive or suicidal behaviors. People who are anxious often find it hard to sleep and could have issues with their relationships or at work.
Consult your doctor if frequently agitated. The doctor may want them to try medication or therapy. If they experience chest pain or difficulty breathing, it could be a sign of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation may be an indication of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of despair, sadness and hopelessness. People who are depressed may also suffer from agitation. This is usually accompanied by anxiety and restlessness. This is known as agitated depressive disorder, and experts still aren't sure how it differs from other kinds.
Sometimes, agitation may be an indication of mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make an individual unable to discern between what is real and what isn't. People who have these conditions may feel as if they are unable to sit still, and may be agitated or wringing their hands.
Some medications, such as antipsychotics, can cause anxiety. People who take these medicines should consult with their doctor whenever they feel frequently agitated. Doctors can prescribe a treatment that isn't prone to this effect. Apart from adhd symptoms in adults , a person can try to reduce their agitation by staying clear of situations that stress them out and eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Women who suffer from depression are afflicted with a serious mental health problem that can lead to feelings of despair, sadness and worthlessness. It can also lead to issues with eating, sleeping and thinking clearly. Women should seek treatment for depression as soon as they start to notice signs. This can help prevent the symptoms from getting worse and may even prevent the possibility of a relapse in depression.
Research indicates that women are more likely to experience depression than men. It is believed that this is due to the variety of roles that women have in their lives, like being a mother and spouse and can cause stress or cause burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes, which can lead to depression. This is especially the case during menopausal cycles and after pregnancy.
It is possible that women have a higher risk of depression because of a prior history of the condition or a family history of it. This is also the case for women who have a low self-esteem or have struggled with issues related to body image or sexuality.
Some of the specific signs that are present in women suffering from depression include a lack of energy sleeplessness, insomnia and thoughts of suicide or suicide. Women who are depressed might also feel shame or guilt. Women tend to blame themselves for their low spirits, and this can be increased when they are required to take care of their children and loved ones. Antidepressant medications can help alleviate these symptoms. However, it is essential to seek advice from a professional from a specialist.