ADD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADD often get misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. Some people are driven to distraction or anger by minor inconveniences like waiting in line or placed on hold.
Gender stereotypes can disguise symptoms, making them hard to recognize and identify. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a female suffers from undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They may feel like their lives are in continuous mess, or chaos. They also find it hard to get the help they require from family members and friends. They are also more susceptible to anxiety and depression because they are unable to cope with dealing with stress and criticism. Women who suffer from ADHD can also be more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, like promiscuity or casual sex. These situations can result in sexually transmitted illnesses as well as unplanned pregnancy, low self-esteem, and feelings shame.
A few psychologists are currently working on conducting research on ADHD among adult women. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one such effort. Her and her colleagues are focusing on females who have comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These co-occurring disorders can cause or worsen ADHD symptoms, affecting the ability of a woman to perform at school, work and at home.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases that affect both men and boys make it difficult to recognize ADHD in women and girls. Rating what is it worth tend to favor male behavior, and girls' strategies for coping may not be as effective in the classroom or workplace. Women who have an impulsive ADHD are often seen as aggressive or irrational, and can hide their symptoms to be accepted into.
All three types of ADHD share a number of behavioral signs. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. adults with adhd symptoms may be fidgety, disorganized or constantly moving or disorganized and impatient and unable to wait their turn, and susceptible to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Although the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, inattentive ADHD can be equally debilitating for children and adults alike. The struggle to stay organized and effectively manage time and stay on top of everyday tasks can be overwhelming. Children may not be able to meet important deadlines at school, or a worker may miss important meetings. Inattention ADHD can cause issues in relationships, as people become annoyed by a friend or colleague who is frequently lost in thought.
The non-hyperactive form of ADHD is less visible than the stereotypical symptoms, which makes it easy for people to ignore or dismiss these issues. Children who have inattentive ADHD are often viewed as lazy or uncooperative children because they don't heed the instructions of their teachers or parents or daydream in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked, since their symptoms might be less obvious than their peers who exhibit impulsivity and hyperactivity.
The signs of inattention ADHD can include having trouble staying focused, easily pulled off task and having difficulty paying attention to small details and poor listening skills and frequent misplacement of belongings. Inattentive ADHD can be aggravated or worsened by stress, anxiety and other disorders like insomnia, depression, nutrition, medication side-effects (especially stimulant medications) as well as poor eating habits and nutritional deficiencies.
Inattentive ADHD is more common in girls and women than other ADD manifestations, however this type of disorder is often overlooked and undertreated. 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. In addition, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can significantly influence how inattention ADHD symptoms manifest.
Impulsiveness
People who are unable to control their impulses experience a feeling of tension or excitement before they act on their urges. They also struggle to resist impulses, even if they are aware that the behaviour is harmful or untrue. They may feel regret or guilt afterwards, too.
Children often act impulsively as they begin to understand the consequences of their decisions. It's also a symptom of some conditions like ADHD as well as antisocial personalities disorder and pyromania.
The tendency to be impulsive could indicate that you have an illness of the mind such as bipolar disorder, stroke or brain tumor or a medical condition that is chronic, such as heart disease or diabetes. Certain substances, like alcohol, can break down your inhibitions and lead you to act recklessly.
A lack of control over your impulses can affect your relationships, work and daily life. For instance, if have ADHD, impulsive behaviors can disrupt your day-to-day routine and affect your ability to work or manage money. Interrupting other people while 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 watching excessive television.
It's crucial to understand the distinction between impulsive and compulsive behavior. While impulsive behavior is spontaneous, compulsive behavior is routine and ritualistic. For instance, sticking your hand in the fire to check if it's burning is an impulsive behavior, while repeatedly checking to ensure that the stove is off is a compulsive act. Studies have shown that men are more aggressive than women, but researchers don't know exactly why. They speculate that the environment, genetics and hormonal changes during the adolescent and adulthood years could be a factor in the differences.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling of restlessness and irritability which can be caused by stress or an illness. It can cause someone to feel anxious, excited or nervous, and it could lead to aggression or suicidal behavior. People who are agitated may have difficulty sleeping and have problems with their relationships or at work.
Consult your doctor if you feel frequently agitated. The doctor may suggest to try medication or therapy. They should also go to the hospital if they have chest pain or difficulty breathing, which could be a sign of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can cause feelings of despair, sadness and feeling of helplessness. People with depression might also be agitated that is usually accompanied with anxiety and restlessness. This is referred to as agitated depression disorder, and experts aren't sure what makes it different from other types.
Sometimes, agitation could be an indication of mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make a person unable to distinguish between the real and fake. People who have these conditions might feel that they can't sit still, and they might pace or wring their hands.
Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, can cause agitation. If you are experiencing agitation regularly, talk to your doctor. In some cases, doctors will give the patient a different medication that doesn't have this side effect. In addition to these medicines one can also reduce their agitation through staying clear of stressful situations, eating a healthy food, and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Women who suffer from depression are afflicted with an extremely serious mental health issue that can cause feelings of sadness, despair and a sense of worthlessness. It can also cause issues with sleeping, eating and focusing. Women should seek treatment for depression immediately they notice symptoms. This can prevent the symptoms from becoming worse and may even lead to the possibility of a return.
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 have in their lives, like being a mother, wife, and wife which can cause burnout or stress. Women are also more likely to have hormonal changes that can lead to depression, for instance during pregnancy or after menopause.
It is also possible that certain women are more prone for depression because of an earlier history of the condition or a family history of it. This is also the case for women who have low self-esteem or who have had issues related to sexuality or body image.
Women suffering from depression may experience fatigue, sleep problems and thoughts of suicide or death. Women who are depressed might also feel guilt or shame. This is due to the fact that women are more susceptible to blaming themselves for their low moods which is exacerbated by the fact that they have more responsibility to care for their children and other family members. The use of antidepressants can alleviate these symptoms, but it is important to seek professional advice and guidance from a doctor.