ADD Symptoms In Women Isn't As Tough As You Think
ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD are often misunderstood, or dismissed as being excessively emotional. Some people are triggered to distraction or anger by minor inconveniences such as waiting in line or on hold.
symptoms of adult add can also mask symptoms, making them hard to detect and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to determine if a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the everyday tasks they have to perform. They might feel that their lives are a constant mess, or chaos. They are also unable to receive the support they need from family and friends. They are also more prone to anxiety and depression since they have a hard time dealing with stress and criticism. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to engage in sexually risky behavior, like promiscuity or casual sexual activity. These to sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancy, low self-esteem, and feelings shame.
Some psychologists are working on conducting research on ADHD among adult women. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one of these efforts. Her team focuses on females who suffer from comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety. These co-occurring disorders can mask or exacerbate ADHD which can affect the capacity of a woman to function at work, home and at school.
Rucklidge discusses how many of the same biases which affect both men and boys make it difficult to recognize ADHD for girls and women. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and a female might not have the most efficient strategies to cope at school or at work. Women with hyperactive ADHD are often seen as aggressive or irrational, and they may conceal their symptoms in order to fit in.
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 or distracted or forgetful, unorganized and impatient not able and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Attention-deficit ADHD can be equally detrimental to adults and children. It can be overwhelming to attempt to remain organized, manage your time effectively and keep track of all your daily tasks. A child might not be able to meet important deadlines at school or a worker might forget important meetings. Inattentive ADHD may also cause relationships problems when other people are annoyed when a partner or colleague is often distracted by thoughts.
It's easy to dismiss or ignore the non-hyperactive signs of ADHD because they are less visible than typical symptoms. Children who have inattentive ADHD often are portrayed as being lazy or uncooperative due to their inability to follow instructions from teachers or parents, or daydream in class. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often missed because their symptoms might not be as obvious as their peers' hyperactivity or impulsivity.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms may include difficulties staying focused, being easily distracted, lacking listening skills, and losing items often. Inattentional ADHD can be exacerbated or made worse by anxiety, stress, and other conditions such as depression, poor sleep nutrition, medication side-effects (especially stimulant medications), poor diet, and nutritional deficiencies.
Inattentive ADHD is more prevalent among girls and women than other ADD manifestations, yet this subtype is often under-diagnosed and undertreated. This is due to a number of factors, including the specific symptoms that are present as well as the higher prevalence of anxiety and affective disorders in females and rating scales that favor male behavior. Inattention ADHD symptoms can also be affected by hormone fluctuations during the menstrual period.
Impulsiveness
People who are unable to control their impulses often experience a feeling of excitement or tension before taking action on their impulses. They also struggle to resist urges, even when they are aware that the act is harmful or dangerous. They often feel remorse or guilt afterwards, too.
It's normal for children to be impulsive, but they grow out of it as they mature and begin to understand the consequences of their actions. It's also a characteristic of certain disorders like ADHD and antisocial personality disorder and pyromania (the urge to light fires).
The tendency to be impulsive could indicate that you have mental health issues like bipolar disorder stroke or brain tumor or a chronic medical issue like diabetes or heart disease. Certain substances, such as alcohol, can also break down your inhibitions and cause you to behave recklessly.
Lack of impulse control can impact your relationships, work and your daily life. For instance, if are suffering from ADHD an impulsive behavior could affect your daily routine and impact your ability to manage your money or work. Interrupting other people while they talk, blurting answers to questions, or having trouble waiting in line are all signs. Adults, impulsive behavior can include shopping on a whim and spending too much money, or watching excessive amounts of television.
It is important to distinguish between compulsive and impulsive behavior. While impulsive behavior is spontaneous, compulsive behavior is repetitive and ritualistic. For example, putting your hand in the fire to check whether it's still burning is an impulsive act and checking it over and over again to ensure that the stove is not on is a habitual behavior. Researchers aren't sure why men are more aggressive. They suggest that environmental factors, genetics and hormonal changes that occur during adolescence and adulthood could contribute to the differences.
Agitation
Stress or a medical issue can trigger a feeling restlessness and anger. It can make a person feel anxious, agitated or anxious. It can also trigger aggressive or suicidal behaviors. People who are agitated are often unable to sleep and could have problems with their relationships and work.
If someone is agitated frequently, they should talk to their doctor. The doctor might suggest to try a medication or therapy. If they experience chest pain or trouble breathing, it could be an indication of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation can be a sign of depression. Depression can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness. People who are depressed might also be agitated which is often accompanied with restlessness and anxiety. This is called agitated depressive disorder, and doctors don't know what makes it different from other kinds.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of a mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make people unable to differentiate between what is real and not. They may be agitated, wring hands or feel like they are unable to remain still.
Agitation can also be a side effect of some medications, such as antipsychotic drugs. If you feel agitated regularly, talk to your doctor. Doctors may prescribe a medicine that isn't prone to this side-effect. Aside from these medicines, a person can try to decrease their anxiety by abstaining from situations that stress them out and eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Women who suffer from depression are afflicted with a serious mental health condition that can cause feelings of despair, sadness and despair. It can also cause issues with sleep, eating and focusing. Women should seek treatment for depression as soon as they notice symptoms. This will help to prevent symptoms from getting worse, and may even prevent the relapse of depression.
Research indicates that women are more likely to be affected by depression than men. It is believed that this is due to the variety of roles that women have in their lives, such as being a mother and spouse 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 possible that women have a higher chance of developing depression due to previous experience with the disorder, or a family background of it. This can also be the case for women with a low self-esteem or have faced issues with sexuality or body image.
Women who are depressed may experience fatigue, sleep problems and thoughts of suicide or death. Women who are depressed may also feel shame or guilt. Women are more likely to blame themselves for their moods, and this can be increased when they are required to look after their children and family members. The use of antidepressants can ease these symptoms, but it is important to seek professional advice and guidance from a specialist.