ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD are often misunderstood, or dismissed as being too emotional. For some, minor nuisances like waiting in line or waiting for a call can drive them into rage or distraction.
Stereotypes about gender can be a reason for symptoms to be hidden which makes it difficult to recognize and diagnose. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their everyday tasks. They might describe their lives as feeling like a constant chaos and are unable to receive the support they require from friends and family. They also have a harder to deal with stress and criticism which makes them more prone to depression and anxiety. Women with ADHD can also be more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as promiscuous or casual sexual relations. These behaviors can result in sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy, and low self-esteem and feelings of shame.
A few psychologists are working to build up the research on ADHD in adult women. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one such endeavor. She and her coworkers are focusing on females who have comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety. These co-occurring disorders can cause or worsen ADHD symptoms, which can affect a woman's ability to perform at work, school, and at home.
Rucklidge explains how many of the same biases that affect both men and boys make it difficult to identify ADHD in women and girls. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and a girl's strategies for dealing with stress may not be as effective in the classroom or workplace. Women with an impulsive ADHD are often dismissed as being irrational or aggressive and may hide their symptoms in order to be accepted into.
Additionally to this, a variety of the same behavioral signs can be observed in all three subtypes of ADHD. 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
Although the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, inattentional ADHD can be equally debilitating for children and adults alike. The struggles to stay organized and effectively manage time and track everyday tasks can be overwhelming. A child might miss important deadlines in school or a worker could forget important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can also cause problems with relationships when others are frustrated by a partner or coworker who is often lost in thoughts.
The non-hyperactive manifestation of ADHD is less apparent than the stereotypical symptoms, therefore it is easy for people to overlook or dismiss these issues. Children with inattentive ADHD are often mistaken for lazy or uncooperative kids because they don't follow the instructions of their teachers or parents or daydream in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD can also be ignored because their symptoms might not be as apparent as their peers who exhibit impulsivity or hyperactivity.
Inattentional ADHD can include trouble staying focused, being easily distracted and unable to pay attention to the smallest details and listening skills that are not as good, and frequent misplacement of belongings. Attention deficit ADHD symptoms can also be worsened by stress, anxiety as well as diet and nutrition mineral deficiencies and medication adverse effects (particularly certain stimulant medications), poor sleep and depression, as well as other medical ailments.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more common in women and girls than other ADD presentations, but this subtype is often under-diagnosed and untreated. This is largely due to a mix of factors, such as specific symptom manifestations, higher prevalence of coexisting anxiety and affective disorders in females, and rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior. Inattention ADHD symptoms are also influenced by hormone changes during menstrual cycles.
Impulsiveness
People who have difficulty controlling their impulses feel a sense of excitement or tension before they decide to act on their urges. They also have a tough to resist their urges, even if they are aware that the behaviour is dangerous or harmful. They may feel regret or guilt afterward, too.
Children are often impulsive when they are learning about the consequences of their actions. It is also a symptom of some conditions like ADHD, antisocial personalities disorder and pyromania.
It could be a sign that you suffer from an illness of the mind, like bipolar disorder, stroke or brain tumor or a chronic medical issue such as heart disease or diabetes. Alcohol can cause you to act impulsively because it reduces your inhibitions.
A lack of impulse control can affect your relationships, career and your daily life. For instance, if have ADHD an impulsive behavior could affect your daily routine and affect your ability to manage your finances or work. Interrupting people when they talk, blurting answers to questions, and having difficulty waiting in line are all signs. Adults who are impulsive can include spending excessive amounts of money in a hurry, shopping on a whim or consuming too much TV.
It is essential to distinguish between impulsive and compulsive behavior. While impulsive behaviors are spontanious, compulsive actions are repetitive and ritualistic. For instance, placing hands in a flame to see if it's still on is an impulsive action and checking the stove repeatedly to ensure it's off is a routine behavior. Researchers don't know why males are more than women. Researchers speculate that genetics and hormonal changes in adulthood or adolescence, as well as the surrounding environment could be contributing factors.
Agitation
Stress or a medical condition can trigger a feeling of agitation and irritability. It can cause someone to feel anxious, excited or tense, and it could lead to aggressive or suicidal behaviours. People who are anxious frequently have trouble getting to sleep and could be having issues with their relationships or at work.
If a person feels agitated often, they should speak to their doctor. The doctor may suggest that they try therapy or medication. They should also visit the hospital if they have chest pain or difficulty breathing which could be a sign of heart attacks.
Sometimes agitation is a symptom of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of despair, sadness, and despair. Some people with depression may also have agitation which is often accompanied with anxiety and restlessness. This is called"agitated depression," and experts are still figuring out the ways in which this type of depression differs from other forms of depression.
In other instances, agitation may be an indication of a mental health condition like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make it difficult for people to determine what is real and what's not. They may be agitated, hold hands, or feel as if they are unable to remain still.
Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, can trigger anxiety. symptoms of adhd who are taking these drugs should talk to their doctor if they feel agitated regularly. In some cases, doctors will give the patient a different medication that doesn't cause this effect. In addition to these medications one can also reduce their anxiety by avoidance of stressful situations, eating healthy food, and getting enough sleep.
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Women who suffer from depression can experience feelings of despair and sadness. It can also cause problems with sleeping, eating and thinking clearly. Women need to seek treatment for depression immediately they begin to notice signs. This can prevent the symptoms from getting worse and could lead to a return.
According to research studies, women are more susceptible to depression than men. It is believed that this is due to the multitude of roles women fill in life, such as being a mother and spouse that can cause stress or lead to burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes which can lead to depression. This is particularly true when menopausal and pregnancy.
It is possible that women are more at risk of depression because of an earlier history of the condition or a family history of it. This could also be the case for women with a low self-esteem or have struggled with issues with body image or sexuality.
Women who are depressed may experience fatigue, sleep problems and thoughts of suicide or death. Women who are depressed may also feel shame or guilt. This is because women are more susceptible 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 family members. Antidepressant medications can help alleviate these symptoms. However, it's crucial to seek out professional advice from a doctor.