ADD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADD are often misunderstood or dismissed as being overly emotional. Some people are triggered to distraction or anger by minor inconveniences such as waiting in line or on hold.
Stereotypes about gender can also obscure symptoms which makes it difficult to detect and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to help determine if a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD often find themselves overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They may feel like their lives are in chaotic, or constant chaos. They may also have difficulty to get the help they require from family and friends. They are also more susceptible to depression and anxiety because they have difficulty dealing with stress and criticism. Women with ADHD can also be more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as promiscuous or casual sexual activity. These experiences can lead to sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies, and low self-esteem and feelings of shame.
Some psychologists are working on developing research on ADHD among women of adulthood. Julia Rucklidge is a PhD student at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She is the head of this research. She and her coworkers are focusing on females who suffer from comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These co-occurring conditions can mask or increase ADHD symptoms, affecting the ability of a woman to perform at work, school, and home.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases that affect men and boys make it difficult to recognize ADHD in women and girls. Rating scales are skewed towards male behavior, and girls may have less efficient strategies to cope in the workplace or at college. Women with an impulsive ADHD are often dismissed as irrational or aggressive, and can hide their symptoms to fit in.
In addition to this, a variety of the same behavioral signs can be observed in all three types of ADHD. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They may be fidgety constantly on the move, disruptive and unorganized and impatient and unable to wait their turn, and prone to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Inattentional ADHD can be equally detrimental to adults and children. It can be difficult to stay organized, manage your time efficiently and manage all the daily tasks. A child might miss important deadlines in school or a worker might not remember important meetings. Inattention ADHD can cause issues with relationships when others are annoyed by a partner or colleague who is frequently lost in thought.
It's easy to dismiss or ignore the non-hyperactive signs of ADHD because they are less visible than typical symptoms. Children with inattentive ADHD are often portrayed as uncooperative or lazy children due to the fact that they don't follow the instructions of their teachers or parents or do not think about their thoughts in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often ignored because their symptoms might not be as apparent as their peers with impulsivity or hyperactivity.
Inattentional ADHD can include trouble staying focused, getting easily distracted and having difficulty paying attention to the smallest details and poor listening skills and frequent misplacement of belongings. Inattentive ADHD can be exacerbated or made worse by stress, anxiety and other disorders like depression, poor sleep and nutrition, side effects of medication (especially stimulant medications), poor diet, and nutritional deficiencies.
adult adhd symtoms is more prevalent among women and girls than any other ADD presentation, but it is often not properly diagnosed and treated. This is due to a mix of factors, including specific symptoms manifestations, higher prevalence of co-existing anxiety disorders and affective disorders in females, and rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior. In addition, hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles can greatly impact how inattentive ADHD symptoms appear.
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 struggle to resist urges, even if they are aware that their behavior is harmful or problematic. They often feel remorse or guilt afterward, too.
Children tend to act in impulsive ways as they learn about the consequences of their actions. It can also be a sign of certain disorders like ADHD and antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania.
The tendency to be impulsive could indicate that you have mental health issues, like bipolar disorder, stroke or brain tumor or a medical condition that is chronic such as heart disease or diabetes. Alcohol can also trigger you to act impulsively by reducing your inhibitions.
Lack of impulse control can affect your relationships, career and daily life. For instance, if suffer from ADHD, impulsive behaviors can interfere with your daily routine and impact your ability to work or manage money. Interrupting people when they talk, blurting answers to questions, or having trouble waiting in line are all symptoms. Adults, impulsive behavior can include shopping on a impulse and spending too much money, or watching excessive amounts of television.
It is crucial to differentiate between impulsive and compulsive behavior. Compulsive behavior is ritualistic and repetitive and impulsive behavior is spontaneous. For instance, sticking your hand in the fire to see if it's burning is an impulsive behavior, while repeatedly checking to ensure that the stove is not on is a compulsive behavior. Researchers don't know why men are more impulsive. Researchers speculate that genetics and hormonal changes during adolescence and adulthood as well as the environment could be the cause.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling that causes restlessness and irritability that can be caused by stress or a medical condition. It can cause a person to feel anxious, excited, or nervous, and it can lead to aggressive or suicidal behaviours. People who are agitated may have difficulty sleeping and may have issues in their relationships as well as at work.
Speak to your doctor if you feel agitated often. The doctor may want them to try medication or therapy. If they experience chest pain or difficulty breathing, it could be a sign of a heartattack.
Sometimes agitation is a symptom of depression. Depression can bring feelings of sadness, hopelessness and despair. People who suffer from depression may suffer from agitation. This is usually associated with anxiety and agitation. This is known as agitated depressive disorder, and experts aren't certain of how it differs from other kinds.
Sometimes, agitation can be a symptom of a mental health issue such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make it hard for people to determine what is real and what's not. Patients with these conditions may feel like they are unable to sit still, and they might pace or wring their hands.
Some medications, such as antipsychotics, may cause an increase in agitation. Patients taking these medications should consult their physician whenever they feel frequently agitated. Doctors can prescribe a treatment that isn't prone to this side-effect. Aside from these medicines, a person can try to reduce their agitation by staying clear of situations that stress them out and eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest.
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Women who are depressed can experience feelings of despair and sadness. It can also cause issues with sleeping, eating and thinking clearly. It is crucial for women to seek treatment for depression as early as the first sign of the illness. This will stop the symptoms from getting worse and could lead to the possibility of a relapse.
According to research studies, women are more susceptible to depression than men. It is often thought that this is due to the variety of roles women fill in their lives, such as being a mother and spouse that can cause stress or lead to burnout. Women are also more likely to experience hormonal changes that can cause depression, for example when they are pregnant or after menopausal.
It is possible that some women are more at risk of depression due to an earlier history of the condition or a family history of it. This could also be the case for women who have a low self-esteem or have struggled with issues related to body image or sexuality.
Some of the specific symptoms that are common in depression in women include fatigue, lack of motivation as well as sleeplessness and thoughts of dying or suicide. Women who are depressed may also feel shame or guilt. This is due to the fact that women are more likely to blame themselves for their mood issues, which can be exacerbated by the fact that they are entrusted with more responsibility to care for their children and other loved ones. Antidepressant medications can ease these symptoms. However, it's crucial to seek out professional advice from a specialist.