ADD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADD are often misunderstood, or dismissed as being overly emotional. Some people are driven to distraction or rage by minor inconveniences such as waiting in line or in a queue.
Gender stereotypes can also obscure symptoms making it difficult to detect and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to determine if a woman suffers from undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks they must complete. They may describe their lives as feeling like a constant mess or chaos and find it difficult to get the support they require from friends and family. They also have a difficult time handling criticism and stress and are more susceptible to depression and anxiety. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors such as sexually explicit or casual sexual relations. These experiences can lead to sexually transmitted diseases as well as unplanned pregnancy, low self-esteem and feelings of shame.
Some psychologists are building up research on ADHD among adult women. Julia Rucklidge is a PhD student from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She is the leader of this project. She and her coworkers focus on females who suffer from comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression. These co-occurring disorders 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 both genders make it hard to diagnose ADHD in women and girls. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and a girl's strategies for coping may not be as efficient in the college setting or in the workplace. Women who have an impulsive ADHD symptoms are often viewed as aggressive or irrational, and they can be more likely to hide their symptoms to fit in better.
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 or disorganized as well as impatient, irritable, unable to wait their turn, and susceptible to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Inattentional ADHD can be equally detrimental to adults and children. The struggles to stay organized and effectively manage time and stay on top of the daily chores can be overwhelming. Children may be late to school for important deadlines or a worker might miss important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can also cause relationships problems when other people are annoyed when a partner or co-worker is frequently lost in thought.
The non-hyperactive manifestation of ADHD is less visible than the symptoms that are commonly associated with it, therefore it is easy to overlook or dismiss these issues. Children who have inattentive ADHD often are mistaken for being lazy or indifferent because they don't follow instructions given by teachers or parents or even daydream in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked, since their symptoms might be less apparent than their peers with impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can include difficulty staying focused, getting easily distracted, lacking listening skills, and losing things frequently. Attention deficit ADHD symptoms can also be caused by anxiety, stress or depression, diet and nutrition mineral deficiencies and medication side effects (particularly certain stimulant medications) poor sleep, depression, or other medical conditions.
Inattentive ADHD is more common in females and girls than other ADD manifestations, yet this type of ADD is often not diagnosed and not treated. This is due to a mix of factors, including specific symptoms manifestations, higher prevalence of co-existing anxiety and affective disorders in females, and rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior. adult signs of adhd can also be affected by hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycle.
Impulsiveness
People who are unable to control their impulses often experience a sense of tension or excitement prior to taking action on their impulses. They also struggle to resist impulses, even if they are aware that the behaviour is harmful or untrue. Afterward, they may feel guilt or regret.
Children tend to act in impulsive ways as they begin to understand the consequences of their actions. It's also a symptom of certain conditions such as ADHD and antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania.
The tendency to be impulsive could be a sign of a mental illness, like bipolar disorder, stroke, brain tumors, or diabetes. Certain substances, like alcohol, can reduce your inhibitions and cause you to behave in a impulsive manner.
Lack of impulse control can impact your relationships, career, and everyday life. For example, if you suffer from ADHD the impulsive behavior can disrupt your day-to-day routine and affect your ability to manage your finances or work. Interrupting other people while they are talking, blurting answers to questions, or having trouble waiting in line are all symptoms. Adults who are in a state of impulsive behavior include spending excessive amounts of money, shopping on a whim or consuming too much TV.
It is crucial to differentiate between compulsive and impulsive behavior. Compulsive behaviour is repetitive and ritualistic however impulsive behavior is spontaneous. As an example, putting a hand in a fire to see if it's still on is an impulsive act while checking the stove repeatedly to make sure it's off is a regular habit. Researchers don't know why men are more aggressive. Researchers speculate that genetics and hormonal changes in adolescence or adulthood, as well as the environment could be the cause.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling of restlessness and irritability that could be caused by stress or a medical condition. It can make a person feel anxious, agitated or nervous. It can also trigger aggressive or suicidal behaviors. People who are stressed might have trouble sleeping and may have issues in their relationships as well as at work.
If a person feels agitated often, they should speak 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 cause feelings of hopelessness, sadness and despair. Some people with depression may also experience agitation, which is often combined with restlessness and anxiety. This is known as agitated depressive disorder, and doctors don't know what makes it different from other types.
Sometimes, agitation can be the symptom of a mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These disorders can make people unable to differentiate between what is real and what isn't. They may be agitated, hold hands, or feel as if they are unable to remain still.
Agitation can also be a side effect of certain medications, such as antipsychotic drugs. Patients taking these medications should consult with their doctor whenever they feel frequently agitated. Doctors can prescribe a medication that doesn't have this effect. In addition to these medications one can attempt to lessen their anxiety by abstaining from situations that cause stress and eating a healthy diet and getting enough rest.
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Women who are depressed can experience feelings of despair and sadness. It can also cause problems with sleep, eating and thinking clearly. Women need to seek treatment for depression immediately they begin to notice signs. This can help prevent the symptoms from becoming worse and may even prevent the relapse of depression.
According to research, women are more susceptible to depression than men. It is thought that this is due to the variety of roles that women have in life, such as being a mother and spouse that can cause stress or cause burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes, which can cause depression. This is especially true during pregnancy and after menopause.
It is possible that women are at a greater chance of developing depression due to previous experience with the disorder, or a family background of it. This can also be the case for women with low self-esteem or who have had issues related to sexuality or body image.
Women who are depressed may experience fatigue, sleep problems and thoughts of suicide or death. In addition, women who have depression may also experience feelings of guilt or shame. Women are more likely to blame themselves for their low spirits and this is made worse by having to look after their children and other loved ones. The use of antidepressants can alleviate these symptoms, but it is important to seek professional advice and guidance from a specialist.