ADD Symptoms in Women
Women suffering from ADD are often misunderstood, or dismissed as being overly emotional. Some people are driven to distraction or anger by minor inconveniences like waiting in line or being placed on hold.
Gender stereotypes can also mask symptoms, making them difficult to detect and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to help determine if a woman has undetected ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They might feel like a constant chaos and are unable to receive the support they require from friends and family. They also have a harder time handling criticism and stress, making them more vulnerable to depression and anxiety. Women who suffer from ADHD are also 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, as well as feelings of shame.
A few psychologists are currently working on building up 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 coworkers are focusing on women with comorbid disorders like depression and anxiety. These co-occurring conditions can mask or increase ADHD symptoms, affecting women's ability to function at work, school, and at home.
Rucklidge explains how many of the same biases that affect both men and boys make it difficult to recognize ADHD for girls and women. Rating scales tend to favor male behavior, and a girl's strategies for coping may not be as effective in the classroom or workplace. Women who have hyperactive ADHD symptoms are often dismissed as being irrational or agressive and are more likely to hide their symptoms to be accepted by.
All three types of ADHD share many behavioral symptoms. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They can be fidgety, restless or on-the-go, disruptive and unorganized, talkative, impatient in their ability to wait for their turn, and prone to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Although the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, the inattention of ADHD can be equally destructive for adults and children alike. It can be overwhelming to remain organized, manage your time efficiently and keep track of all the daily tasks. For example, a child may not be able to meet important deadlines at school or workers may forget about important meetings. Inattentive ADHD may also cause relationship problems as other people are annoyed when a partner or coworker is often lost in thought.
The non-hyperactive presentation of ADHD is less apparent than the typical symptoms, and therefore it is easy for people to overlook or dismiss these challenges. Children with inattentive ADHD are often viewed as uncooperative or lazy children due to the fact that they do not follow the instructions of their parents or teachers or do not think about their thoughts in class. Adults with inattentive ADHD can also be ignored because their symptoms might not be as apparent as their peers' hyperactivity or impulsivity.
The signs of inattention ADHD can include having trouble staying focused, being easily distracted and unable to pay attention to small details and listening skills that are not as good, and frequent misplacing of items. Inattentive ADHD can be aggravated or worsened by anxiety, stress and other conditions such as insomnia, depression, nutrition, medication side-effects (especially stimulant medications) as well as poor eating habits and nutritional deficiencies.
related internet page is more prevalent among girls and women than other ADD manifestations, yet this type of ADD is often not diagnosed and not treated. This is due to a number of factors including the specific symptoms that are present with higher rates of anxiety and affective disorder in females, and rating scales that favor male behavior. Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also be affected by hormone changes during menstrual cycles.
Impulsiveness
People who have difficulty controlling their impulses feel a sense of excitement or tension before they act on their urges. They also struggle to resist urges, even if they are aware that the behaviour is harmful or untrue. Afterward, they may feel regret or guilt.
Children are often impulsive as they learn about the consequences of their choices. It's also a symptom of certain disorders like ADHD as well as antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania (the compulsion to set fires).
Impulsivity can be a sign that you are suffering from an illness of the mind like bipolar disorder a brain tumor or stroke or a chronic medical issue, such as heart disease or diabetes. Certain substances, like alcohol, can also cause inhibitions to be broken and lead you to act in a impulsive manner.
Insomniacs can affect your relationships, career and daily life. If you have ADHD for instance, impulsive behavior can affect your daily routine and impair your ability to manage money or work. Symptoms include interrupting others when they're speaking, blurting out answers to questions, and struggling to wait for your turn when standing in the line. In adults, impulsive behaviors could include shopping on a whim and spending too much money or watching a lot of television.
It's important to understand the difference between impulsive and compulsive behavior. While impulsive behaviors are spontaneous, compulsive behavior is repetitive 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 frequently to ensure it's off is a routine behavior. Researchers aren't sure why men are more aggressive. They speculate that environmental factors, genetics and hormonal changes that occur during adolescence and adulthood could be a factor in the differences.
Agitation
Stress or a medical issue can trigger a feeling of agitation and anger. It may cause a person to feel anxious, agitated, or tense, and could lead to aggression or suicidal behaviors. People who are stressed might have trouble sleeping and may have issues in their relationships and at work.
Talk to your doctor if agitated often. The doctor may suggest that they try medication or therapy. It is also recommended to visit the hospital if they experience chest pain or trouble breathing, which could be a sign of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of hopelessness, sadness and helplessness. Some people with depression may also experience agitation which is often accompanied with restlessness and anxiety. This is referred to as agitated depression disorder, and experts aren't certain of how it differs from other types.
Sometimes, agitation can be the symptom of a mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can render an individual unable to discern between what is real and what isn't. They may be agitated, hold hands or feel as if they are unable to remain still.
Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, can trigger an increase in agitation. If you are experiencing agitation frequently, talk to your doctor. In some instances, doctors will give the patient a different medication that does not have this side effect. Aside from these medicines people can also try to lessen their anxiety by staying clear of situations that can stress them out and eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest.
Here are a few of the methods to lower your risk of getting sick:
Women who suffer from depression are afflicted with a serious mental health problem that can lead to feelings of despair, sadness and a sense of worthlessness. It can also cause issues with eating, sleeping and focusing. It is essential for women to seek treatment for depression as soon as they notice the first symptoms of the disease. This can prevent symptoms from becoming worse and could even prevent the relapse of depression.
Research suggests that women are more likely to suffer from depression than men. This is thought to be due to the many roles women play in their lives, for example being a wife and mother which can cause burnout or stress. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes which can lead to depression. This is especially the case during menopausal cycles and after pregnancy.
It is possible that women are more at chance of developing depression due to an earlier history of the condition or a family history of it. This could also be the case for women with low self-esteem or who have faced issues related to sexuality or body image.
The most prominent symptoms that can be seen in women suffering from depression include fatigue, lack of motivation as well as sleeplessness and thoughts of suicide or suicide. Additionally women who suffer from depression may also feel feelings of guilt or shame. Women are more likely to blame themselves for their moods and this may be exacerbated because they have to take care of their children and loved ones. The use of antidepressants can ease these symptoms however, it is crucial to seek professional advice and guidance from a professional.