ADD Symptoms in Women
Women suffering from ADD often get misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. Some people are driven to distraction or anger by minor inconveniences like waiting in line or placed on hold.
Gender stereotypes can disguise symptoms, making them difficult to identify and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to help determine if a woman has undetected ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD often find themselves overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They might feel that their lives are a constant mess, or chaos. They also find it hard to receive the support they require from family members and friends. They are also more susceptible to anxiety and depression because they have a hard time dealing with stress and criticism. Women who suffer from ADHD can also be more likely to engage in sexually risky behaviors, such as promiscuous or casual sexual activity. These situations can lead to sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy and low self-esteem, as well as feelings of shame.
Psychologists are working on advancing the research on ADHD in adult women. what are the symptoms of adhd in adults I Am Psychiatry UK , a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one of these efforts. She and her colleagues focus on females who suffer from comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety. These co-occurring disorders can cause or worsen ADHD symptoms, which can affect a woman's ability 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 recognize ADHD in women and girls. Rating scales are skewed towards male behavior and a girl might not have the most efficient strategies to cope at school or at work. Women who have an impulsive ADHD are often seen as being irrational or aggressive and may hide their symptoms in order to be accepted into.
All three subtypes of ADHD have a variety of behavioral symptoms. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They could be unruly or fidgety. They may also be on the go and disruptive, forgetful, disorganized and impatient, unable and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone mood swings.
Inattentiveness
While the impulsive or hyperactive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, inattentive ADHD can be equally damaging for adults and children alike. It can be difficult to attempt to keep track of your time well and keep track of all your daily tasks. Children may be late to school for important deadlines or a worker might forget important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can also cause relationship problems as other people become frustrated when a partner or colleague is often distracted by thoughts.
It's easy to ignore or dismiss the non-hyperactive symptoms of ADHD because they aren't as visible as stereotypical symptoms. Children with inattentive ADHD are often portrayed as uncooperative or lazy children due to the fact that they don't follow the instructions of their parents or teachers or do not think about their thoughts in class. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked because their symptoms are less evident than those of their peers' hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Inattentional ADHD can include having trouble staying focused, easily pulled off task and unable to pay attention to the smallest details and listening skills that are not as good, and frequent misplacing of belongings. Attention deficit ADHD symptoms can also be caused by anxiety, stress, 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.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more prevalent among females and girls than any other ADD presentation, but it is often not properly diagnosed and treated. This is largely due to a mix of factors, such as specific symptom manifestations, higher rates of coexisting anxiety and affective disorders in females and ratings scales that tend to be biased toward male behavior. In addition, hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles can greatly influence how inattention ADHD symptoms manifest.
Impulsiveness
People who are unable to control their impulses feel a sense of excitement or tension prior to acting on their urges. They also struggle to resist urges, even when they are aware that their act is harmful or dangerous. Afterward, they often feel guilt or regret.
It's normal for young children to act impulsively but they become aware of it as they grow and begin to understand the consequences of their actions. It's also a symptom of certain conditions such as ADHD as well as antisocial personalities disorder and pyromania.
The tendency to be impulsive could indicate that you suffer from an illness of the mind such as bipolar disorder, a brain tumor or stroke or a chronic medical problem, such as diabetes or heart disease. Certain substances, like alcohol, can reduce your inhibitions and lead you to act in a impulsive manner.
An inability to control your impulses can affect your relationships, work and everyday life. For instance, if are suffering from ADHD, impulsive behaviors can disrupt your day-to-day routine and affect your ability to manage your money or work. The signs include interrupting people when they're talking, blurting out answers to questions, and having trouble waiting your turn when you're in the line. Adults, impulsive behavior may include shopping on impulse and spending too much money, or watching a lot of television.
It is essential to distinguish between compulsive and impulsive behavior. While impulsive behaviors are spontaneous, compulsive behaviors are routine and ritualistic. As an example, putting a hand in a fire to see if it's still on is an act of impulsiveness and checking the stove repeatedly to ensure it's off is a regular habit. Researchers don't know why men are more impulsive. They speculate that environmental factors, genetics and hormonal changes that occur during the adolescent and adulthood years could contribute to the differences.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling of restlessness and irritability that can be caused by stress or an illness. It can cause a person to feel anxious, stressed or anxious. It can also lead to aggressive or suicidal behaviors. People who are stressed often find it hard to sleep and might have problems with their relationships or work.
Consult your doctor if frequently agitated. The doctor may suggest they try therapy or medication. They should also go to the hospital if they have chest pain or difficulty breathing which could be a sign of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness. People with depression may also experience agitation which is often accompanied with anxiety and restlessness. This is known as agitated depressive disorder, and doctors don't know how it differs from other kinds.
Sometimes, agitation can be an indication of a mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can render a person unable to distinguish between what is real and not. These people may pace or hold hands, or feel as if they are unable to remain still.
Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, can trigger anxiety. If you are experiencing agitation regularly, talk to your doctor. Doctors can prescribe a medication that doesn't have this side-effect. In addition to these drugs one can also reduce their anxiety by avoiding stressful situations, eating healthy diet, and getting enough rest.
The following are the ways to decrease your risk:
Women who suffer from depression can experience feelings of despair and sadness. It can also lead to difficulties with sleeping, eating and thinking clearly. It is essential for women to seek treatment for depression as soon as they notice the first symptoms of the disease. This can 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. This is believed to be due to the many roles women play in their lives, like being a mother and wife which can cause stress or burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes, which can cause depression. This is especially the case during menopausal cycles and after pregnancy.
It is possible that certain women are more at risk of depression due to previous experience with the disorder or a family history of it. This is also the case for women who have a low self-esteem or have faced issues related to sexuality or body image.
Women who are depressed may experience fatigue, sleep problems and thoughts of suicide or death. People who are depressed may also feel shame or guilt. Women tend to blame themselves for their moods, and this can be increased when they are required to take care of their children and loved ones. The use of antidepressants can alleviate these symptoms, but it is important to get professional advice and guidance from a professional.