ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD frequently are misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. For some, small inconveniences such as waiting in lines or waiting for a call can drive them into rage or distraction.
Gender stereotypes can also mask symptoms, making them hard to recognize and diagnose. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a female suffers from undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their everyday tasks. They may feel like a constant chaos and find it difficult to get the support they require from friends and family. They also have a tougher time handling criticism and stress, making them more vulnerable to depression and anxiety. Women who suffer from ADHD can also be more likely to engage in sexually risky behaviors, such as promiscuous or casual sex. These experiences can lead to sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy and low self-esteem, as well as feelings of shame.
Some psychologists are working on developing 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 are focusing on females with comorbid disorders like anxiety and depression. These co-occurring disorders can cause or worsen ADHD symptoms, which can affect a woman's ability to function at school, work and at home.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases that affect boys and men also make it difficult to diagnose ADHD for girls and women. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and girls' coping strategies may be less effective in the classroom or workplace. Women who have impulsive ADHD symptoms are often dismissed as aggressive or irrational and are more likely to hide their symptoms in order to make themselves more acceptable to.
All three subtypes of ADHD share a number of behavioral signs. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They may be fidgety, constantly on the move, disruptive or disorganized, talkative, impatient, unable to wait their turn, and prone to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Inattentive ADHD can be equally detrimental to children and adults. It can be overwhelming to remain organized, manage your time well and keep track of all the daily tasks. A child may miss important deadlines in school or a worker might forget important meetings. Inattention ADHD can also cause relationships problems when other people become frustrated when a partner or colleague is often distracted by thoughts.
The non-hyperactive form of ADHD is less apparent than the stereotypical symptoms, therefore it is easy for people to overlook or dismiss these challenges. Children who have inattentive ADHD are often mistaken for lazy or uncooperative children because they don't heed the instructions of their parents or teachers or do not think about their thoughts in class. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked because their symptoms are less evident than those of their peers' hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can include difficulty staying focused, becoming easily distracted, lacking listening skills, and misplacing belongings often. Inattentive ADHD symptoms can be worsened by stress, anxiety as well as diet and nutrition mineral deficiencies and medication side effects (particularly certain stimulant medications) and sleep issues and depression, as well as other medical ailments.
Inattentive ADHD is more prevalent among females and girls than other ADD presentations, but this type of ADD is often not diagnosed and not treated. This is largely due to a variety of factors, including specific symptom manifestations, higher prevalence of co-existing anxiety and affective disorders in females and rating scales that are biased towards male behavior. Furthermore, hormonal fluctuations throughout menstrual cycles can greatly influence how inattention ADHD symptoms manifest.
Impulsiveness
People who struggle to control their impulses often experience a feeling of tension or excitement prior to taking action on their impulses. They also have a hard to resist the urges even if they are aware that the behaviour is dangerous or harmful. In the end, they usually feel regret or guilt.
Children are often impulsive as they begin to understand the consequences of their actions. It's also a sign of certain conditions, such as ADHD and antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania (the desire to burn things).
adult adhd signs could be a sign that you have a mental health condition such as bipolar disorder, a brain tumor or stroke or a medical condition that is chronic like diabetes or heart disease. Certain substances, like alcohol can reduce your inhibitions and cause you to act recklessly.
A lack of impulse control can affect your relationships, career and your daily life. For example, if you have ADHD, impulsive behaviors can affect your daily routine and impact your ability to manage your finances or work. Some of the symptoms include interrupting other people when they're talking, blurting out answers to questions and struggling to wait for your turn in line. Impulsive behaviors in adults can include spending excessively on purchases, shopping on a whim or consuming too much TV.
It is essential to distinguish between impulsive and compulsive behavior. While impulsive behaviors are spontaneous, compulsive behaviors are routine and ritualistic. As an example, putting hands in a flame to see if it's still on is an act of impulsiveness while checking the stove on a regular basis to ensure it's off is a routine behavior. Studies have shown that men are more aggressive than women, but researchers aren't able to pinpoint the reason. They suggest that the environment, genetics and hormonal changes in the adolescent years and into adulthood could contribute to the differences.
Agitation
Stress or a medical issue can trigger a feeling of agitation and irritability. It can cause a person to feel anxious, stressed or nervous. It can also trigger aggressive or suicidal behaviors. People who are anxious frequently have trouble getting to sleep and may have problems with their relationships or at work.
If a person feels agitated often, they should talk to their doctor. The doctor might suggest that they try a medication or therapy. It is also recommended to visit the hospital if they have chest pain or breathing problems that could indicate heart attacks.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can bring feelings of sadness, hopelessness and feeling of helplessness. Some people who are depressed might experience agitation. This is usually caused by restlessness and anxiety. This is called agitated depression, and experts are still learning how this kind of depression differs from other forms of depression.
Sometimes, agitation may be an indication of a mental illness, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These conditions can make it difficult for a person to tell what is real and what is not. People with these conditions may sway or hold hands, or feel as if they are unable to remain still.
Certain medications, like antipsychotics, can trigger an increase in agitation. People who take these medicines should consult their physician when they experience frequent agitation. Doctors can prescribe a treatment that doesn't have this effect. In addition to these drugs, a person may also reduce their agitation through staying clear of stressful situations, eating a healthy food, and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Depression in women is a serious mental health problem that can cause feelings of sadness, despair and worthlessness. It can also cause issues with sleeping, eating and focusing. Women should seek treatment for depression as soon as they start to notice signs. This will help to prevent symptoms from getting worse and may even prevent the possibility of a relapse in depression.
Research indicates that women are more likely to be affected by depression than men. This is believed to be due to the numerous roles women play in their lives, for example being a mother, wife, and wife and father, which can cause stress or burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes which can lead to depression. This is especially true during pregnancy and after menopause.
It is possible that some women have a higher risk of depression due to an earlier experience with the disorder, or a family background of it. This could also be the case for women with low self-esteem or who have faced issues with body image or sexuality.
Some of the specific symptoms that are common in women who suffer from depression include fatigue, lack of motivation sleeplessness, insomnia and thoughts of death or suicide. In addition women who suffer from depression may also experience feelings of guilt or shame. Women tend to blame themselves for their low spirits and this may be exacerbated because they have to look after their children and loved ones. Antidepressant medication can ease these symptoms. However, adhd signs in adults to seek professional advice from a medical professional.