ADD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADD often get misunderstood or dismissed as being emotionally prone. For some, minor nuisances like standing in lines or waiting in line can lead them to distraction or rage.
Gender stereotypes can be a reason for symptoms to be hidden, making it difficult to detect and diagnose. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their everyday tasks. They may describe their lives as like a constant chaos, and they struggle to find the support they require from family and friends. They are also more vulnerable to anxiety and depression since they have a hard time dealing with criticism and stress. Women who suffer from ADHD can also be more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, like promiscuity or casual sexual activity. These experiences can lead sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies, as well as low self-esteem, and feelings shame.
Psychologists are working to expand the research on ADHD in women who are adults. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one of these efforts. She and her coworkers focus on females who suffer from comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These co-occurring conditions can mask or increase ADHD symptoms, affecting a woman's ability to function at school, work and home.
Rucklidge explains that a lot of the same biases that affect both genders make it hard to diagnose ADHD in girls and women. Rating symptoms of adhd in adults tend to favor male behavior, and a female may have less effective coping strategies in college or at work. Women with hyperactive ADHD symptoms are often viewed as aggressive or irrational, and they can be more likely to hide their symptoms to fit in better.
In addition 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 or fidgety. They may also be in a hurry or distracted or forgetful, unorganized and impatient, unable and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Attention-deficit ADHD is equally debilitating for adults and children. The struggle to organize and effectively manage time and track everyday tasks can be overwhelming. A child might not be able to meet important deadlines at school or a worker might not remember important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can also cause problems in relationships, as people become annoyed by a friend or colleague who frequently gets lost in thoughts.
It's easy to overlook or dismiss the non-hyperactive signs of ADHD because they are less visible than stereotypical symptoms. Children with inattentive ADHD often are portrayed as being lazy or uncooperative due to their inability to follow the instructions of parents or teachers or even ponder their thoughts in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are also often missed because their symptoms might not be as apparent as their peers' hyperactivity or impulsivity.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can include trouble staying focused, getting easily distracted and unable to pay attention to details and poor listening skills and frequent misplacing of belongings. Inattention ADHD symptoms can be caused by anxiety, stress, diet and nutrition, mineral deficiencies as well as medication-related side effects (particularly certain stimulant medications), poor sleep and depression, as well as other medical ailments.
Attention-deficit ADHD affects more women and girls than other ADD presentation, yet it is often misdiagnosed and untreated. 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. Furthermore, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle may significantly affect how irritable ADHD symptoms appear.
Impulsiveness
People who are unable to control their impulses often experience a sense of tension or excitement prior to engaging in their desires. They also struggle to resist impulses, even if they know that the behavior is harmful or problematic. In the end, they usually feel guilt or regret.
It's normal for young children to be impulsive however they get rid of it as they grow and begin to understand the consequences of their actions. It's also a symptom of certain conditions like ADHD as well as antisocial personality disorder and pyromania (the desire to burn things).
Impulsivity could be a sign of mental illness such as bipolar disorder or stroke, brain tumor, or diabetes. Alcohol can cause you to act out in a reckless manner because it reduces your inhibitions.
Insomniacs can impact your relationships, career and everyday life. If you suffer from ADHD for instance, impulsive behavior can affect your routine and impact your ability to manage your finances or work. Interrupting others while they talk, blurting answers to questions, and having trouble waiting in line are all signs. In adults, impulsive behaviors can include shopping on a impulse and spending too much money or watching excessive amounts of television.
It is essential to distinguish between impulsive and compulsive behavior. Compulsive behavior is repetitive and ritualistic however impulsive behavior is spontaneous. For instance, placing your hand into the fire to see if it's burning is an impulsive action and checking it over and over again to make sure the stove is off is a compulsive behavior. Studies show that men are more aggressive than women, but researchers aren't able to pinpoint the reason. Researchers suggest that hormonal changes and genetics in adulthood or adolescence, as well as the surrounding environment could be contributing factors.
Agitation
Stress or a medical issue can trigger a feeling restlessness and irritation. It can cause a person to feel anxious, agitated, or nervous, and it can lead to aggression or suicidal behaviors. People who are anxious might have trouble sleeping and have problems with their relationships as well as at work.
Speak to your doctor if agitated often. The doctor might suggest to try a medication or therapy. It is also recommended to visit the hospital in case they experience chest pain or difficulty breathing that could indicate a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation can be a sign of depression. Depression can bring feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and helplessness. People who are depressed may also experience agitation, which is often combined with anxiety and restlessness. This is known as"agitated depression," and experts are still figuring out how this kind of depression is different from other types of depression.
In other instances, agitation may be an indication of a mental illness like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These conditions can render an individual unable to discern between what is real and not. People with these conditions may feel as if they can't sit still, and they might move around or shake their hands.
Some medications, such as antipsychotics, may cause agitation. People who are taking these drugs should consult their physician whenever they feel frequently agitated. In some instances doctors will prescribe the patient a different medication that doesn't cause this effect. In addition to these medications one can attempt to reduce their agitation by avoiding situations that stress them out and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep.
The following are the ways to reduce your risk:
Depression in women can cause feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can also lead to issues with eating, sleeping and focusing. It is essential for women to get treatment for depression as early as the first symptoms of the disease. This can stop the symptoms from getting worse and could lead to the possibility of a relapse.
According to research that women are more prone to depression than men. This is believed to be due to the many roles women have in their lives, for example being a wife and mother and father, which can cause stress or burnout. Women are also more likely to experience hormonal changes that could lead to depression, for example during pregnancy or after menopause.
It is also possible that women are at higher risk for depression because of a previous diagnosis of depression or an ancestor's history of it. This is also true for women who have low 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. In addition women who suffer from depression may also experience feelings of guilt or shame. This is because women are more prone to blaming themselves for their mood issues and this can be made worse by the fact that they are entrusted with more responsibility for caring for their children and other family members. Antidepressant medication can ease these symptoms. However, add symptoms in adults to seek out professional advice from a doctor.
