ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD are often misunderstood or dismissed as being too emotional. Some people are triggered to distraction or anger by minor inconveniences such as waiting in line or placed on hold.
Gender stereotypes can also mask symptoms, making them hard to recognize and identify. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to help determine if a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by the everyday tasks they must complete. They might feel that their lives are in continuous mess, or chaos. They are also unable to receive the support they require from family and friends. They are also more prone to anxiety and depression since they are unable to cope with dealing with stress and criticism. Women with ADHD are also more likely to engage in risky sexual actions, like promiscuity or casual sexual activity. These situations can result in sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancy, low self-esteem, and feelings shame.
Some psychologists are building up research on ADHD in adult women. Julia Rucklidge is a PhD student at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She is the head of this research. Her and her colleagues are focusing on women who have comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. These co-occurring disorders can be a source of confusion or even worsen ADHD, affecting the ability of a woman to perform at work, home and at school.
Rucklidge says that many of the same biases that affect boys and men make it difficult to identify ADHD in women and girls. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and a female might have less efficient strategies to cope in college or at work. Women with an impulsive ADHD are often seen as irrational or aggressive, and they may conceal their symptoms in order to be accepted into.
The three different subtypes of ADHD share a number of behavioral signs. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They may be restless and fidgety, or in a hurry and disruptive, forgetful, disorganized and impatient, unable and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Inattentional ADHD is just as debilitating to adults and children. The struggle to stay organized and effectively manage time and track daily tasks can feel overwhelming. For example children may miss important deadlines at school or a worker can forget about important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can also cause issues with relationships as others are annoyed when a partner or colleague is often lost in thought.
It's easy to overlook or dismiss the non-hyperactive symptoms of ADHD because they are less obvious than stereotypical symptoms. Children who have inattentive ADHD often are portrayed as being lazy or uncooperative because they don't follow instructions from teachers or parents, or daydream in class. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked because their symptoms are less evident than those of their peers' hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can include difficulty staying focused, getting easily distracted, having poor listening skills, and misplacing items often. Inattentional ADHD can be aggravated or worsened by stress, anxiety and other issues like insomnia, depression and nutrition, side effects of medication (especially stimulant medications) as well as poor eating habits and nutritional deficiencies.
Inattentive ADHD is more prevalent in girls and women than other ADD manifestations, yet this type of disorder is often overlooked and not treated. This is due to a variety of factors, including the specific symptoms presented as well as the higher prevalence of anxiety and affective disorders in females, and rating scales that favor male behavior. Furthermore, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can significantly influence how inattention ADHD symptoms manifest.
Impulsiveness
People who have difficulty controlling their impulses experience a feeling of excitement or tension prior to acting on their impulses. They also have a difficult time resisting the urges, even when they know the behavior is detrimental or dangerous. They often feel remorse or guilt afterward, too.
It's normal for young children to behave impulsively but they become aware of it as they mature and learn more about the consequences of their actions. It's also a sign of certain conditions like ADHD as well as antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania (the urge to light fires).
Impulsivity could be a sign of a mental illness, like bipolar disorder, stroke, brain tumors, or diabetes. Certain substances, such as alcohol can reduce your inhibitions and lead you to act impulsively.
An inability to control your impulses can affect your relationships, career and daily life. If you suffer from ADHD for instance an impulsive attitude can disrupt your daily routine and affect your ability to manage your finances or work. The signs include interrupting people when they're talking, uttering answers to questions, and having trouble waiting your turn when standing in the line. In adults, impulsive behaviors may include shopping on impulse, spending too much money, or watching too much television.
It is important to know the distinction between impulsive and compulsive behavior. While impulsive behaviors are spontaneous, compulsive behavior is repetitive and ritualistic. For instance, placing your hand in the flame to see if it's burning is an impulsive act and checking it over and over again to make sure the stove is not on is a compulsive act. Researchers aren't sure why men are more aggressive. Researchers suggest that genetics and hormonal changes during adolescence and adulthood as well as the surrounding environment could be significant factors.
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 it could lead to aggression or suicidal behavior. People who are anxious might have trouble sleeping and may have issues in their relationships or at work.
If someone feels anxious often, they should talk to their doctor. The doctor might suggest that they try medication or therapy. If they experience chest pain or trouble breathing, this could be an indication of a heartattack.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can lead to feelings of helplessness, sadness and despair. People who are depressed may also experience agitation, which is often combined with anxiety and restlessness. This is referred to as agitated depression disorder, and doctors aren't certain of what makes it different from other kinds.
Sometimes, agitation may be an indication of mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make it difficult for a person to tell what is real and what is not. People who have these conditions may feel as if they are unable to sit still, and may move around or shake their hands.
Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, may cause anxiety. adult adhd signs taking these medications should talk to their doctor when they experience frequent agitation. In some cases doctors may prescribe the patient a different medicine that doesn't cause this effect. Aside from these medicines one can attempt to decrease their anxiety by abstaining from situations that stress them out, eating a healthy diet and getting enough rest.
Depression
Women who suffer from depression are afflicted with a serious mental health problem that can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. It can also cause problems with eating, sleep and thinking clearly. Women should seek treatment for depression as soon as they start to notice signs. This will help to prevent symptoms from getting worse, and could even stop the possibility of a relapse in 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 have in their lives, like being a mother and wife which can cause stress or burnout. Women are also more likely to experience hormonal changes that could lead to depression, such as during menopausal or pregnancy.
It is possible that some women have a higher risk of depression due to an earlier history of depression or a family history of it. This could also be the case for women who have low self-esteem, or have had issues with body image or sexuality issues.
Some of the specific symptoms that are common in women suffering from depression include a lack of energy as well as sleeplessness and thoughts of suicide or suicide. Additionally women suffering from depression may also experience feelings of guilt or shame. Women are more likely to blame themselves for their moods and this may be increased when they are required to care for their children and family members. Antidepressant medication can ease these symptoms. However, it's important to seek professional advice from a doctor.