ADD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADD often get misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. Some sufferers are sucked into a state of disorientation or rage by minor inconveniences such as waiting in line or being on hold.
Stereotypes about gender can be a reason for symptoms to be hidden making it difficult to recognize and diagnose. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the everyday tasks they have to perform. They might describe their lives as feeling like a constant mess or chaos, and they struggle to find the support they need from family and friends. They also have a harder time handling criticism and stress, making them more vulnerable to depression and anxiety. Women with ADHD are also more likely to engage dangerous sexual activities, such as casual or promiscuous sex. These situations can lead to sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy and low self-esteem, as well as feelings of shame.
Psychologists are working to expand the research on ADHD in women of adulthood. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one of these efforts. Her team focuses on females suffering from comorbid disorders like anxiety and depression. These co-occurring conditions can be a source of confusion or even worsen ADHD, affecting the ability of women to function at home, work, and school.
Rucklidge says that many of the same biases that affect men and boys make it difficult to recognize ADHD in women and girls. Rating scales tend to favor male behavior, and girls might not have the most efficient strategies to cope in college or at work. Women with hyperactive ADHD are often dismissed as aggressive or irrational, and they may conceal their symptoms to fit in.
All three subtypes of ADHD share many behavioral symptoms. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They may be fidgety, constantly on the move, disruptive and unorganized and impatient in their ability to wait for their turn, and prone to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Inattentional ADHD can be equally detrimental for adults and children. It can be difficult to try and stay organized, manage your time efficiently and keep track of all your daily tasks. For example a child might not be able to meet important deadlines at school or an employee might forget to attend important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can cause issues in relationships, as people become annoyed by a partner or colleague who frequently gets lost in thought.
It's easy to overlook or dismiss the non-hyperactive signs of ADHD because they aren't as visible as the typical symptoms. Children with inattentive ADHD often get mistaken for being lazy or indifferent because they fail to follow the instructions of parents or teachers or even daydream in class. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked because their symptoms may not be as obvious as their peers' hyperactivity or impulsivity.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms may include difficulties staying focused, being easily distracted, having poor listening skills, and losing things frequently. Inattentional 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.
Attention-deficit ADHD affects more women and girls than other ADD presentation, yet it is often misdiagnosed and untreated. This is due to a number of factors, including the specific symptoms presented with higher rates of anxiety and affective disorder in females, and rating scales that favor male behavior. Inattention ADHD symptoms can also be affected by hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycle.
Impulsiveness
People who have trouble controlling their impulses usually feel a sense of tension or excitement prior to acting on their urges. They also have trouble resisting urges, even when they know that the behavior is harmful or problematic. They often feel remorse or guilt afterward, too.
It's normal for young children to act impulsively however they get rid of it as they mature and learn more about the consequences of their actions. It's also a symptom of certain conditions, such as ADHD, antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania (the desire to burn things).
Impulsivity can be a sign that you are suffering from a mental health condition like bipolar disorder stroke or brain tumor or a chronic medical problem like heart disease or diabetes. Alcohol can cause you to act out in a reckless manner because it reduces your inhibitions.
A lack of control over your impulses can affect your relationships, work and your daily life. For example, if you have ADHD an impulsive behavior could affect your daily routine and impact your ability to manage your finances or work. Some of the symptoms include interrupting other people when they're talking, uttering answers to questions and having trouble waiting your turn when standing in the line. Adults who are in a state of impulsive behavior include spending excessive amounts of money in a hurry, shopping on a whim or consuming too much TV.
It is important to know the difference between impulsive and compulsive behavior. Compulsive behaviour is repetitive and ritualistic and impulsive behavior is spontaneous. For example, putting your hand into the fire to check whether it's still burning is an impulsive act and checking it over and over again to make sure the stove is not on is a habitual behavior. Researchers aren't sure why men are more impulsive. Researchers suggest that hormonal changes and genetics during adolescence and adulthood as well as the environment could be the cause.
Agitation
Stress or a medical issue can cause a feeling of restlessness and irritation. It can cause someone to feel anxious, excited, or tense, and it can lead to aggressive or suicidal behaviours. People who are stressed often find it hard to sleep and may have issues with their relationships or at work.
If someone is agitated often, they should talk to their doctor. The doctor may suggest that they try therapy or medication. If they experience chest pain or have trouble breathing, this could be an indication of a heart attack.
Sometimes agitation is a symptom of depression. Depression can lead to feelings of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness. People who are depressed might experience agitation. This is often accompanied by anxiety and restlessness. This is called agitated depressive disorder, and experts still aren't certain of what makes it different from other types.
Sometimes, agitation can be an indication of a mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make it difficult for someone to discern what is real and what's not. adhd symptoms women with these conditions may sway or shake hands, or feel as if they are unable to remain still.
Agitation is also a side effect of certain medications, such as antipsychotic drugs. Patients taking these medications should talk to their doctor whenever they feel frequently agitated. Doctors can prescribe a medication that isn't prone to this effect. In addition to these medications people can also try to reduce their agitation by avoiding situations that can stress them out and eating a balanced diet and getting enough rest.
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Depression in women can cause feelings of despair and sadness. It can also lead to issues with sleeping, eating and thinking clearly. It is crucial 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 the possibility of a relapse in depression.
According to research, women are more susceptible to depression than men. This is thought to be due to the numerous roles women play 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 some women are more at risk for depression because of an earlier experience with the condition or the family history of it. This is also true for women who are self-conscious, or have struggled with body image or sexuality issues.
Women who are depressed may suffer from sleep issues, fatigue and thoughts of suicide or death. Women who are depressed may also feel guilt or shame. This is due to the fact that women are more likely to blaming themselves for their low moods and this can be made worse by the fact that they are entrusted with more 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 doctor.