ADD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADD are often misunderstood or dismissed as being excessively emotional. Some people are driven to distraction or rage by minor inconveniences like waiting in line or in a queue.
Gender stereotypes can also camouflage symptoms, making them hard to detect and identify. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a female suffers from undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their daily tasks. 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 tougher time handling criticism and stress which makes them more prone to anxiety and depression. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to engage risky sexual actions like sexually explicit or casual sexual activity. These behaviors can result in sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy, and low self-esteem and feelings of shame.
A few psychologists are currently working on conducting research on ADHD among women of adulthood. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one such endeavor. Her and her colleagues are focusing on women with comorbid disorders like depression and anxiety. These co-occurring conditions can mask or exacerbate ADHD which can affect the ability of a woman to function at home, work, and school.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases that affect boys and men also make it difficult to recognize ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and girls might not have the most effective coping strategies in college or at work. Women who have an impulsive ADHD are often viewed as aggressive or irrational, and can hide their symptoms in order to be accepted into.
In addition to that, a lot 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 could be unruly or fidgety. They may also be in a hurry or distracted, forgetful, disorganized, talkative and impatient not able and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone mood swings.
Inattentiveness
While the impulsive or hyperactive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, the inattention of ADHD can be just as debilitating for children and adults alike. The struggle to stay organized, manage time efficiently and keep track of the daily chores can be overwhelming. For example a child might not be able to meet important deadlines at school or a worker can forget about important meetings. Inattention ADHD may also cause issues with relationships as others become frustrated when a partner or colleague is often distracted by thoughts.
The non-hyperactive presentation of ADHD is less apparent than the typical symptoms, and so it's easy for people to ignore or dismiss these challenges. Children who have inattentive ADHD are often mistaken for 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 classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD can also be overlooked because their symptoms may not be as apparent as their peers' hyperactivity or impulsivity.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can include having trouble staying focused, getting easily distracted and having difficulty paying attention to the smallest details and poor listening skills and frequent misplacing of belongings. Inattention ADHD symptoms can also be worsened by stress, anxiety as well as diet and nutrition mineral deficiencies, medication adverse effects (particularly certain stimulant medications) poor sleep, depression, or other medical conditions.
Inattentive ADHD is more prevalent among girls and women than other ADD manifestations, however this type of ADD is often not diagnosed and not treated. This is due to a variety of factors including the specific symptoms as well as the higher prevalence of anxiety and affective disorders in females, and rating scales that favor male behavior. Furthermore, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle may significantly affect how irritable ADHD symptoms appear.
Impulsiveness
People who are unable to control their impulses usually experience a sense of excitement or tension before taking action on their impulses. adults adhd symptoms struggle to resist urges, even when they know that the behaviour is harmful or untrue. In the end, they usually feel guilt or regret.
It's normal for young children to behave impulsively, but they grow out of it as they grow older and become aware of the consequences of their actions. It's also a symptom of certain disorders, such as ADHD and antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania (the compulsion to set fires).
The tendency to be impulsive could indicate that you are suffering from a mental health condition like bipolar disorder a brain tumor or stroke or a chronic medical issue, such as heart disease or diabetes. Alcohol can also cause you to act out in a reckless manner by reducing your inhibitions.
An inability to control your impulses can affect your relationships, career and daily life. If you suffer from ADHD for instance an impulsive attitude can interfere with your daily routine and impair your ability to manage your finances or work. Symptoms include interrupting others when they're talking, blurting out answers to questions and finding it difficult to wait your turn when you're in line. Impulsive behaviors in adults can include spending excessive amounts of money in a hurry, shopping on a whim or consuming too much TV.
It is important to distinguish between impulsive and compulsive behavior. Compulsive behavior is repetitive and ritualistic and impulsive behavior is spontaneous. For example, putting your hand in the flame to check whether it's still burning is an impulsive behavior, while repeatedly checking to make sure the stove is not on is a compulsive behavior. Researchers aren't sure why men are more than women. Researchers speculate that hormonal changes and genetics in adolescence or adulthood, as well as the surrounding environment could be contributing factors.
Agitation
Stress or a medical issue can trigger a feeling of agitation and irritation. It may cause a person to feel anxious, excited or nervous, and it can lead to aggression or suicidal behavior. People who are anxious are often unable to sleep and could have problems with their relationships or at work.
If someone feels anxious frequently, they should talk to their doctor. The doctor may suggest to try medication or therapy. If they experience chest pain or difficulty breathing, this could be a sign of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can lead to feelings of helplessness, sadness and hopelessness. People who are depressed might also be agitated that is usually accompanied with restlessness and anxiety. This is referred to as agitated depression disorder, and experts aren't sure what makes it different from other types.
In other instances, agitation may be the symptom of a mental illness like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These conditions can make a person unable to distinguish between what is real and not. People with these conditions might feel that they can't sit still, and they might move around or shake their hands.
Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, can cause anxiety. If you feel agitated on a regular basis consult your physician. In certain instances doctors may prescribe the patient a different drug that doesn't have this side effect. In addition to these drugs they can reduce their agitation through staying clear of stressful situations, eating healthy diet, and getting enough rest.
The following are the ways to decrease your risk:
Women who are depressed can experience feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can also cause difficulties with sleeping, eating and focusing. Women need to seek treatment for depression as soon as they start to notice signs. This can prevent symptoms from becoming worse and could even prevent the relapse of depression.
Research suggests that women are more likely to be affected by depression than men. This is thought to be due to the numerous roles women have in their lives, such as being a wife and mother and father, which can cause burnout or stress. adult female adhd symptoms are more likely to experience hormonal changes which can cause depression. This is particularly true during pregnancy and after menopause.
It is also possible that certain women are more at risk for depression due to a previous diagnosis of depression or the family history of it. This can also apply to women who lack self-esteem, or have struggled with sexuality or body image issues.
Women suffering from depression may be suffering from fatigue, sleep issues and thoughts of suicide or death. Additionally women who suffer from depression may also feel feelings of guilt or shame. Women tend to blame themselves for their moods and this may be exacerbated because they have to care for their children and other loved ones. Antidepressant medications can ease these symptoms. However, it's essential to seek advice from a professional from a doctor.