ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD often are misunderstood and dismissed as emotionally unstable. For some, minor nuisances like standing in lines or waiting for a call can drive them into rage or distraction.
Gender stereotypes can also mask symptoms, making it difficult to detect and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to help determine if a woman suffers from undetected ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by the daily tasks they must complete. They might describe their lives as feeling like a constant mess or chaos, and they find it difficult to get the support they require from family and friends. They are also more vulnerable to anxiety and depression since they have a hard time managing stress and criticism. Women with ADHD are also more likely to engage dangerous sexual activities, such as sexually promiscuous or casual sexual activity. These sexually transmitted diseases as well as unplanned pregnancy, low self-esteem, and feelings shame.
A few psychologists are working to build up the research on ADHD in women who are adults. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one such effort. She and her colleagues focus on females suffering from comorbid disorders like anxiety and depression. These co-occurring illnesses can be a source of confusion or even worsen ADHD which can affect the ability of a woman to function at home, work and at school.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases that affect both genders make it difficult to identify ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and girls' strategies for coping may not be as effective in college or the workplace. Women who have hyperactive ADHD symptoms are often viewed as irrational or aggressive, and they can be more likely to conceal their symptoms to fit in better.
All three subtypes of ADHD share a number of behavioral signs. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms of adhd in adults female (Www.google.fm). They could be unruly and fidgety, or constantly moving around or distracted or forgetful, unorganized and impatient, unable and unwilling to wait for their turn, and susceptible to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Although the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, inattentive adhd and depression symptoms can be just as destructive for adults and children alike. It can be overwhelming to attempt to keep track of your time efficiently and keep track of all the daily tasks. For example, a child may miss important deadlines at school, or a worker can forget about important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can also lead to relationship problems as other people get annoyed when a friend or coworker is often distracted by thoughts.
The non-hyperactive presentation of ADHD is less visible than the typical symptoms, and therefore it is easy for people to overlook or dismiss these challenges. Children who have inattentive severe adhd symptoms are often mistaken for uncooperative or lazy children due to the fact that they do not follow the instructions of their teachers or parents or daydream in class. Adults with inattentive ADHD can also be ignored because their symptoms adhd in adults might not be as apparent as their peers with impulsivity or hyperactivity.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms include difficulty staying focused, being easily distracted, having poor listening skills, and losing items frequently. Attention deficit ADHD symptoms can be caused by anxiety, stress or depression, diet and nutrition mineral deficiencies, medication side effects (particularly certain stimulant medications), poor sleep, depression, or other medical conditions.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls than other ADD manifestations, however this type of disorder is often overlooked and not treated. This is largely due to a variety of factors, including specific symptom presentations, higher rates of coexisting anxiety and affective disorders among females, and ratings scales that tend to be biased toward male behavior. Inattention ADHD symptoms are also influenced by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period.
Impulsiveness
People who have difficulty controlling their impulses feel a sense of excitement or tension prior to acting on their urges. They also have a tough time resisting the urges, even if they know that the behavior is detrimental or dangerous. Afterward, they may feel guilt or regret.
Children are often impulsive when they are learning about the consequences of their decisions. It's also a characteristic of certain conditions like ADHD, antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania (the urge to light fires).
The tendency to be impulsive could be a sign of mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, stroke, brain tumor, or diabetes. Alcohol can also cause you to act impulsively by reducing your inhibitions.
Insomniacs can impact your relationships, work and daily life. For example, if you are suffering from adhd and bipolar symptoms, impulsive behaviors can affect your daily routine and affect your ability to manage your money or work. Some of the symptoms include interrupting other people when they're talking, blurting out answers to questions, and struggling to wait for your turn when standing in line. Adults, impulsive behavior could include shopping on a whim and spending too much money or watching a lot of television.
It is crucial to differentiate between impulsive and compulsive behavior. Compulsive behavior is repetitive and ritualistic and impulsive behavior is spontaneous. As an example, putting a hand in a fire to see if it's still on is an impulsive action and checking the stove on a regular basis to ensure it's off is a routine behavior. Researchers don't know why males are more impulsive. They speculate that environmental factors, genetics and hormonal changes in the adolescent years and into adulthood could be a factor in the differences.
Agitation
Stress or a medical issue can cause a feeling of restlessness and irritation. It may cause a person to feel anxious, excited, or nervous, and it can trigger aggression or suicidal behaviors. People who are agitated might have trouble sleeping and have problems with their relationships and at work.
Consult your doctor if frequently agitated. The doctor may suggest that they try therapy or medication. They should also go to the hospital in case they experience chest pain or difficulty breathing which could be a sign of an attack on the heart.
Sometimes agitation can be a sign of depression. Depression can cause feelings of despair, sadness and hopelessness. Some people who are depressed might feel agitated. This is usually accompanied by anxiety and restlessness. This is called agitated depression, and experts are still learning how this kind of depression is different from other forms of depression.
Sometimes, agitation can be an indication of a mental illness like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These conditions can make it hard for someone to discern what is real and what is not. They may be agitated, wring hands, or feel as if they can't remain still.
Some medications, such as antipsychotics, can cause an increase in agitation. People who are taking these drugs should talk to their doctor whenever they feel frequently agitated. Doctors can prescribe a treatment that doesn't have this side-effect. In addition to these medications one can also reduce their anxiety by avoidance of stressful situations, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough rest.
Depression
Depression in women is an extremely serious mental health issue that can trigger feelings of despair, sadness and a sense of worthlessness. It can also cause issues with sleep, eating and thinking clearly. It is essential for women to seek treatment for depression as early as the first symptoms of the disease. This will help to prevent symptoms from getting worse and could even stop a relapse of depression.
Research suggests that women are more likely to suffer from depression than men. It is believed that this is due to the multitude of roles that women have in life, such as being a mother and spouse, which can create stress or cause burnout. Women are also more likely to have hormonal changes that could lead to depression, for example during pregnancy or after menopause.
It is also possible that some women are more at risk for depression due to a previous history of the condition or a family history of it. This can also apply to women who have low self-esteem, or have struggled with sexuality or body image issues.
A few of the symptoms of adhd in an adult that can be seen in depression in women include a lack of energy as well as sleeplessness and thoughts of death or suicide. Women who are depressed might also feel shame or guilt. This is because women are more prone to blaming themselves for their mood issues which is exacerbated by the fact that they have more responsibility to care for their children and other family members. Antidepressant medications can help alleviate these symptoms. However, it is important to seek professional advice from a doctor.