ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD are often misunderstood, or dismissed as being overly emotional. For some, even minor inconveniences like standing in lines or waiting for a call can drive them to distraction or rage.
Gender stereotypes can be a reason for symptoms to be hidden which makes it difficult to recognize and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to determine whether a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the tasks they must complete. They might feel like a constant mess or chaos, and they are unable to receive the support they need from friends and family. They also have a tougher dealing with stress and criticism which makes them more prone to anxiety and depression. Women with ADHD can also be more likely to engage in sexually risky behaviors, such as promiscuous or casual sexual relations. These situations can lead to sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy and low self-esteem, as well as feelings of shame.
Psychologists are working to expand the research on ADHD in women who are adults. Julia Rucklidge is a PhD student from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She is the head of this research. Her team focuses on females who suffer from comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These co-occurring conditions can be a source of confusion or even worsen ADHD, affecting the capacity of a woman to perform at home, work, and school.
Rucklidge explains that a lot of the same biases that affect boys and men make it difficult to identify ADHD in women and girls. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and a female may have less efficient strategies to cope in college or at work. Women who have an impulsive ADHD symptoms are often viewed as aggressive or irrational, and they can be more likely to hide their symptoms to make themselves more acceptable to.
The three different subtypes of ADHD share many behavioral symptoms. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They might be agitated and fidgety, or on the go and disruptive, forgetful, disorganized, talkative and impatient, unable and unwilling to wait for their turn, and susceptible to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Inattentive ADHD can be equally detrimental to adults and children. It can be difficult to try and keep track of your time well and keep track of all your daily tasks. A child may miss important deadlines in school or a worker might forget important meetings. Inattention ADHD may also cause issues with relationships as others become frustrated when a partner or co-worker is frequently lost in thought.
The non-hyperactive manifestation of ADHD isn't as prominent as the symptoms that are commonly associated with it, so it's easy for people to overlook or dismiss these problems. Children with inattentive ADHD often are portrayed as being lazy or indifferent due to their inability to follow the instructions of parents or teachers or even ponder their thoughts in class. Adults with inattentive ADHD can also be missed because their symptoms might not be as obvious as their peers with impulsivity or hyperactivity.
The signs of inattention ADHD can include having trouble staying focused, easily distracted and having difficulty paying attention to details and poor listening skills and frequent misplacing of belongings. Attention deficit ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by stress, anxiety, diet and nutrition, mineral deficiencies, medication side effects (particularly certain stimulant medications), poor sleep, depression, or other medical conditions.
Inattentive ADHD affects more females and girls than any other ADD presentation, but it is often misdiagnosed and not treated. This is largely due to a mix of factors, such as specific symptom manifestations, higher rates of co-existing anxiety and affective disorders in females and rating scales that are skewed toward male behavior. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle may significantly affect how irritable ADHD symptoms appear.
Impulsiveness
People who struggle to control their impulses frequently experience a feeling of tension or excitement 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 regret or guilt.
It's common for young children to behave impulsively but they become aware of it as they mature and begin to understand the consequences of their actions. It's also a sign of certain conditions like ADHD, antisocial personality disorder and pyromania (the desire to burn things).
The tendency to be impulsive could be a sign of mental illness, such as bipolar disorder or stroke, brain tumors or diabetes. Alcohol can also cause you to be impulsive because it reduces your inhibitions.
symptoms of add of control over your impulses can impact your relationships, career and daily life. If you suffer from ADHD for instance your impulsive behavior could disrupt your daily routine and affect your ability to manage your finances or work. Interrupting other people while they are talking, blurting answers to questions, or having trouble waiting in line are all signs. In adults, impulsive behaviors may include shopping on impulse or spending too much money, or watching too much television.
It is important to distinguish between compulsive and impulsive behavior. While impulsive behavior is spontaneous, compulsive behaviors are routine and ritualistic. For instance, placing a hand in a fire to check if it's on is an act of impulsiveness and checking the stove repeatedly to make sure it's off is a routine behavior. Researchers don't know why males are more than women. They speculate that genetics, environment and hormonal changes that occur during the adolescent years and into adulthood could be the reason for the differences.
Agitation
Stress or a medical issue can trigger a feeling of agitation and anger. It can cause a person to feel anxious, excited or nervous, and it could lead to aggressive or suicidal behaviours. People who are anxious often find it hard to sleep and could have problems with their relationships or work.
If inattentive adhd symptoms is agitated frequently, they should talk to their doctor. The doctor may suggest that they try therapy or medication. If they feel chest pain or difficulty breathing, this could be an indication of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can lead to feelings of despair, sadness and hopelessness. Some people who are depressed may also experience agitation. This is usually caused by restlessness and anxiety. This is known as agitated depression, and experts are still figuring out the ways in which this type of depression is different from other forms of depression.
Sometimes, agitation can be a sign of a mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These disorders can make a person unable to distinguish between what is real and what isn't. They may be agitated, hold hands, or feel as if they can't remain still.
Certain medications, like antipsychotics, can cause an increase in agitation. If you are experiencing agitation frequently discuss it with your doctor. Doctors can prescribe a treatment that does not have this effect. Aside from these medicines, a person can try to lessen their anxiety by staying clear of situations that can stress them out and eating a healthy diet and getting enough rest.
Here are a few of the methods to lower your risk:
Women who are depressed can experience feelings of despair and sadness. It can also cause difficulties with eating, sleeping and thinking clearly. Women should seek treatment for depression immediately they notice symptoms. This can help prevent the symptoms from becoming worse and could even prevent a relapse of depression.
Research suggests that women are more likely to experience depression than men. This is believed to be due to the numerous roles women have in their lives, like being a mother and wife which can cause burnout or stress. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes which can cause depression. This is especially the case when menopausal and pregnancy.
It is possible that certain women are at a greater risk of depression due to an earlier history of the condition, or a family background of it. This can also be the case for women who have a low self-esteem or have faced issues related to sexuality or body image.
Some of the specific symptoms that can be seen in depression in women include fatigue, lack of motivation sleeplessness, insomnia and thoughts of dying or suicide. In addition, women who have depression may also feel feelings of guilt or shame. This is due to the fact that women are more susceptible to blame themselves for their moods which is exacerbated by the fact that they have more responsibility to care for their children and other family members. Antidepressant medications can ease these symptoms. However, it's essential to seek advice from a professional from a specialist.