ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD frequently are misunderstood or dismissed as being emotionally prone. For some, even minor inconveniences like waiting in line or waiting in line can lead them to distraction or rage.
Gender stereotypes can be a reason for symptoms to be hidden which makes it difficult to detect and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to help determine whether a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They may feel like their lives are in continuous mess, or chaos. They are also unable to receive the support they need from family and friends. They also have a tougher time handling criticism and stress and are more susceptible to depression and anxiety. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to engage in risky sexual actions like casual or promiscuous sexual activity. These situations can result in sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancy, 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. She and her colleagues focus on females with comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety. These co-occurring disorders can cause or worsen ADHD symptoms, affecting a woman's ability to function at work, school, and at home.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases that affect both genders make it difficult to identify ADHD in women and girls. Rating scales tend to favor male behavior, and a girl's strategies for coping may not be as effective in the classroom or workplace. Women who have an impulsive ADHD are often dismissed as being irrational or aggressive and can hide their symptoms in order to make themselves more acceptable to.
Additionally to that, a lot of the same behavioral symptoms are present in all three types of ADHD. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They may be restless, fidgety or in a hurry or distracted or forgetful, unorganized, talkative and impatient not able and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Inattentional ADHD is equally debilitating for adults and children. It can be overwhelming to keep track of your time well and manage all the daily tasks. Children may miss important deadlines in school, or a worker may miss important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can cause issues in relationships as others become frustrated by a partner or coworker who is often lost in thought.
It's easy to dismiss or ignore the non-hyperactive symptoms of ADHD because they aren't as visible as the typical symptoms. Children who have inattentive ADHD are often viewed as lazy or uncooperative children because they don't heed the instructions of their teachers or parents or do not think about their thoughts in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked, because their symptoms are less obvious than their peers' hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Attention deficit ADHD symptoms include difficulty staying focused, getting easily distracted, lacking listening skills, and losing items often. Inattentive ADHD can be aggravated or worsened by stress, anxiety and other conditions such as depression, poor sleep and nutrition, side effects of medication (especially stimulant medications) as well as poor eating habits and nutritional deficiencies.
Attention-deficit ADHD affects more women and girls than other ADD presentation, yet it is often not properly diagnosed and treated. This is due to a combination of factors, including specific symptom manifestations, higher rates of co-existing anxiety disorders and affective disorders among females, and rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior. Furthermore, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle may significantly affect how irritable 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 impulses, even if they know that the behavior is harmful or problematic. They may feel regret or guilt following the incident, too.
Children are often impulsive when they are learning about the consequences of their actions. It's also a symptom of some conditions like ADHD and antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania.
Impulsivity could be a sign of mental illness, like bipolar disorder or stroke, brain tumor, or diabetes. Certain substances, such as alcohol, can also reduce your inhibitions and lead you to act in a impulsive manner.
Insomniacs can impact your relationships, work and your daily life. If you have ADHD for instance your impulsive behavior could disrupt your daily routine and affect your ability to manage your finances or work. related include interrupting others when they're talking, uttering answers to questions and having trouble waiting your turn when standing in line. In adults, impulsive behaviors may include shopping on whim, spending too much money, or watching excessive amounts of television.
It is important to distinguish between impulsive and compulsive behavior. While impulsive behaviors are spontanious, compulsive actions are routine and ritualistic. For instance, placing a hand in a fire to check if it's on is an impulsive action while checking the stove frequently to ensure it's off is a habitual behavior. Researchers aren't sure why men are more impulsive. Researchers suggest that hormonal changes and genetics during adolescence and adulthood and also the environment could be the cause.
Agitation
Stress or a medical condition can trigger a feeling restlessness and anger. It can cause a person to feel anxious, excited, or tense, and can lead to aggressive or suicidal behaviours. People who are stressed might have trouble sleeping and have problems with their relationships and at work.
If someone feels anxious often, they should speak to their doctor. The doctor may suggest that they try medication or therapy. They should also visit the hospital in case they experience chest pain or breathing problems that could be a sign of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can bring feelings of despair, sadness and despair. Some people who suffer from depression may feel agitated. This is usually associated with anxiety and agitation. This is referred to as agitated depression disorder, and doctors aren't certain of what makes it different from other types.
Other times, agitation is an indication of a mental health issue like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These disorders can make people unable to differentiate between the real and fake. People with these conditions may sway or hold hands, or feel as if they are unable to remain still.
Some medications, such as antipsychotics, can cause an increase in agitation. If you experience agitation frequently consult your physician. In some instances, doctors will give the patient a different medication that doesn't have this side effect. In addition to these medications, a person can try to reduce their agitation by avoiding situations that stress them out and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Women who suffer from depression can experience feelings of despair and sadness. It can also cause problems with sleep, eating and the ability to think clearly. Women should seek treatment for depression as soon as they begin to notice signs. This can help prevent the symptoms from becoming worse and could even stop a relapse of depression.
Research suggests that women are more likely to experience depression than men. It is believed that this is due to the multitude of roles that women have in their lives, such as being a mother and spouse and can cause stress or lead to burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes, which can cause depression. This is particularly true when menopausal and pregnancy.
It is possible that some women are more at risk of depression due to previous history of depression, or a family background of it. This is also the case for women with a low self-esteem or have struggled with issues with sexuality or body image.
Women who are depressed may suffer from sleep issues, fatigue and thoughts of suicide or death. People who are depressed may be prone to feeling guilt or shame. This is due to the fact that women are more prone to blame themselves for their low moods, which can be exacerbated by the fact that they are entrusted with a greater responsibility to care for their children and other family members. The use of antidepressant medication can ease these symptoms however, it is crucial to get professional advice and guidance from a specialist.