ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD are often misunderstood, or dismissed as being overly emotional. For some, minor nuisances like waiting in line or waiting for a call can drive them into rage or disorientation.
Gender stereotypes can also camouflage symptoms, making them hard to detect and diagnose. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a female suffers from undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by the everyday tasks they must complete. They may feel that their lives are in chaotic, or constant chaos. They are also unable to receive the support they need from family and friends. 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 actions, like promiscuity or casual sexual relations. These experiences can lead sexually transmitted illnesses, unplanned pregnancy, low self-esteem, and feelings shame.
A few psychologists are working on advancing the research on ADHD in women of adulthood. Julia Rucklidge is a PhD student at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She is leading this effort. She and her colleagues focus on females who suffer from comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These co-occurring disorders can mask or exacerbate ADHD symptoms, affecting women's ability to perform at school, work, and home.
Rucklidge explains that a lot of the same biases that affect boys and men make it hard to diagnose ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and females' strategies for coping may not be as effective in the classroom or workplace. Women who have an impulsive ADHD are often dismissed as aggressive or irrational, and may hide their symptoms in order to fit in.
In addition, many of the same behavioral symptoms can be observed in all three types of ADHD. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They may be fidgety restless or on-the-go, disruptive or disorganized as well as impatient, irritable in their ability to wait for their turn, and susceptible to mood swings.
adult adhd signs
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, manage time efficiently and track daily tasks can feel overwhelming. For example a child might miss important deadlines at school or workers may forget about important meetings. Inattention ADHD can also cause relationship problems as other people are annoyed when a partner or co-worker is frequently lost in thought.
The non-hyperactive form of ADHD is less apparent than the typical symptoms, and which makes it easy for people to ignore or dismiss these issues. Children who have inattentive ADHD often are portrayed as being lazy or indifferent because they fail to follow the instructions of teachers or parents, or daydream in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD can also be missed because their symptoms might not be as obvious as their peers who exhibit impulsivity or hyperactivity.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms may include difficulties staying focused, becoming easily distracted, lacking listening skills, and misplacing belongings often. Attention deficit ADHD symptoms can also be worsened by stress, anxiety as well as diet and nutrition mineral deficiencies, medication adverse effects (particularly certain stimulant medications), poor sleep and depression, as well as other medical conditions.
Inattentive ADHD affects more women and girls than any other ADD presentation, yet it is often not properly diagnosed and treated. This is due to a number of factors, including the particular symptoms that are present with higher rates of anxiety and affective disorder in females, and rating scales that favor male behavior. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout menstrual cycles can greatly impact how inattentive ADHD symptoms manifest.
Impulsiveness
People who struggle to control their impulses experience a feeling of tension or excitement prior to acting on their impulses. They also have trouble resisting urges, even when they are aware that the behavior is harmful or problematic. Afterward, they often feel regret or guilt.
Children often act impulsively as they learn about the consequences of their decisions. It's also a sign of certain conditions, such as ADHD and antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania (the urge to light fires).
Impulsivity could be a sign of a mental illness such as bipolar disorder or stroke, brain tumors or diabetes. Certain substances, such as alcohol, can also cause inhibitions to be broken and cause you to behave impulsively.
A lack of impulse control can impact your relationships, work and everyday life. For instance, if are suffering from ADHD the impulsive behavior can interfere with your daily routine and hinder your ability to manage your money or work. The signs include interrupting people when they're talking, uttering answers to questions and struggling to wait for your turn when you're in line. Adults who are impulsive can include spending too much money, shopping on a whim or watching excessive television.
It is crucial to differentiate between impulsive and compulsive behavior. Compulsive behaviour is repetitive and ritualistic however impulsive behavior is spontaneous. For instance, placing your hand in the fire to check whether it's still burning is an impulsive act and checking it over and over again to ensure that the stove is not on is a compulsive behavior. Studies have shown that men are more impulsive than women, however researchers aren't able to pinpoint the reason. They suggest that environmental factors, genetics and hormonal changes in adolescence and adulthood could be the reason for the differences.
Agitation
Stress or a medical issue can trigger a feeling of agitation and irritability. It can cause a person to feel anxious, excited, or nervous, and it can trigger aggression or suicidal behaviors. People who are agitated are often unable to sleep and may have problems with their relationships or at work.
Speak to your doctor if you feel agitated often. The doctor may suggest that they try medication or therapy. If they feel chest pain or difficulty breathing, it could be an indication of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation can be a sign of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness. People with depression might also be agitated that is usually accompanied with anxiety and restlessness. This is referred to as an agitated depression. Experts are still learning about how this type of depression is different from other types of depression.
Sometimes, agitation could be an indication of mental illness such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These conditions can make it hard for people to determine what is real and what is not. They may be agitated, hold hands, or feel as if they can't stay still.
Agitation can also be an effect of certain medication, such as antipsychotics. People who are taking these drugs should consult with their doctor if they feel agitated regularly. Doctors may prescribe a medicine that doesn't have this side-effect. In addition to these medications, a person can try to reduce their agitation by avoiding situations that cause stress and eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Women who suffer from depression can experience feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can also lead to difficulties with sleeping, eating and focusing. It is crucial for women to seek treatment for depression as early as the first symptoms of the disease. This will stop the symptoms from becoming worse and may even lead to an relapse.
According to research studies, women are more susceptible to depression than men. This is thought to be due to the many roles women have in their lives, such as being a mother, wife, and wife and father, which can cause burnout or stress. 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 some women are more at chance of developing depression due to an earlier history of depression or a family history of it. This can also be the case for women who have low self-esteem or who have struggled with issues with body image or sexuality.
A few of the symptoms that can be seen in depression in women include fatigue, lack of motivation, difficulty sleeping and thoughts of dying or suicide. In addition women who suffer from depression may also feel feelings of guilt or shame. This is due to the fact that women are more susceptible to blaming themselves for their mood issues which is exacerbated by the fact that they have a greater responsibility to care for their children and other loved ones. Antidepressant medications can help alleviate these symptoms. However, it's crucial to seek out professional advice from a medical professional.