ADD Symptoms in Women
Women suffering from ADD often get misunderstood or dismissed as overly emotional. For some, minor nuisances such as waiting in lines or waiting for a call can drive them into rage or disorientation.
Gender stereotypes can be a reason for symptoms to be hidden which makes it difficult to detect and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to help determine if a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the tasks they have to perform. They may describe their lives as like a constant mess or chaos, and they find it difficult to get the support they require from friends and family. They are also more prone to anxiety and depression since they are unable to cope with dealing with stress and criticism. Women who suffer from ADHD can also be more likely to engage in sexually risky behaviors, such as promiscuous or casual sexual relations. These experiences can lead to sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies and low self-esteem as well as feelings of shame.
A few psychologists are working on advancing 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 coworkers are focusing on females who have comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression. These co-occurring illnesses can cause or worsen ADHD, affecting the capacity of a woman to function at home, work and at school.
Rucklidge explains how many of the same biases that affect both men and boys make it difficult to identify ADHD for girls and women. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and girls' coping strategies may be less efficient in the college setting or in the workplace. Women with an impulsive ADHD are often seen as being irrational or aggressive and can hide their symptoms to make themselves more acceptable to.
In addition to that, a lot of the same behavioral symptoms are found in all three types of ADHD. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They can be fidgety, disorganized or constantly moving, forgetful and disorganized as well as impatient, irritable and unable to wait their turn, and prone to mood swings.
female adhd symptoms
Although the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, inattentional ADHD can be just as damaging for adults and children alike. The struggle to stay organized and effectively manage time and stay on top of daily tasks can feel overwhelming. For example, a child may miss important deadlines at school, or workers may forget about important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can also lead to issues with relationships as others are annoyed when a partner or coworker is often distracted by thoughts.
The non-hyperactive form of ADHD is less visible than the typical symptoms, and which makes it easy for people to ignore or dismiss these challenges. Children who have inattentive ADHD are often mistaken for lazy or uncooperative children because they do not follow the instructions of their parents or teachers or daydream during class. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked, since their symptoms might be less obvious than their peers who exhibit impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Inattentional ADHD can include trouble staying focused, easily pulled off task and unable to pay attention to the smallest details and listening skills that are not as good, and frequent misplacing of items. Inattention ADHD symptoms may also be exacerbated by stress, anxiety as well as diet and nutrition mineral deficiencies and medication adverse effects (particularly certain stimulant medications), poor sleep and depression, as well as other medical conditions.
Inattentive ADHD is more prevalent in women and girls than other ADD manifestations, however this type of disorder is often overlooked and untreated. This is largely due to a combination of factors, such as specific symptom manifestations, higher rates of co-existing anxiety disorders and affective disorders in females and rating scales that are biased towards male behavior. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are also influenced by hormonal changes during menstrual cycles.
Impulsiveness
People who have difficulty controlling their impulses experience a feeling of excitement or tension before they act in response to their impulses. They also have a hard time resisting the urges, even when they know the behaviour is dangerous or harmful. Afterward, they may feel guilt or regret.
It's common for young children to act impulsively however they get rid of it as they grow older and begin to understand the consequences of their actions. It's also a symptom of certain conditions that include ADHD, antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania (the urge to light fires).
It could be a sign that you have a mental health condition, like bipolar disorder, stroke or brain tumor or a medical condition that is chronic, such as diabetes or heart disease. Alcohol can also cause you to act out in a reckless manner because it reduces your inhibitions.
Insomniacs can impact your relationships, career and your daily life. For instance, if suffer from ADHD the impulsive behavior can disrupt your day-to-day routine and hinder your ability to work or manage money. Symptoms include interrupting others when they're talking, uttering answers to questions, and struggling to wait for your turn when you're in line. In adults, impulsive behaviors could include shopping on a whim or spending too much money, or watching too much television.
It is important to know the distinction between compulsive and impulsive behavior. Compulsive behavior is repetitive and ritualistic and impulsive behavior is spontaneous. For instance, placing the hand in the fire to check if it's on is an impulsive action, while checking the stove frequently to make sure it's off is a regular habit. Studies have shown that men are more impulsive than women, however researchers don't know exactly why. They believe that the environment, genetics and hormonal changes that occur during the adolescent and adulthood years could contribute to the differences.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling of agitation and irritability which can be triggered by stress or a medical condition. It can cause a person to feel anxious, excited or tense, and it could lead to aggression or suicidal behaviors. People who are agitated may have difficulty sleeping and may have issues in their relationships or at work.
Consult your doctor if frequently agitated. The doctor may want them to try medication or therapy. It is also recommended to visit the hospital if they have chest pain or trouble breathing, which could indicate heart attacks.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of despair, sadness and hopelessness. Some people who are depressed might experience agitation. This is often accompanied by anxiety and restlessness. This is referred to as agitated depression disorder, and experts still aren't certain of how it differs from other kinds.
In other instances, agitation may be a symptom of a mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make a person unable to distinguish between what is real and not. They may be agitated, shake hands or feel like they are unable to remain still.
Certain medications, like antipsychotics, may cause an increase in agitation. People who are taking these drugs should talk to their doctor whenever they feel frequently agitated. In some cases doctors will prescribe the patient a different medicine that doesn't cause this effect. Apart from these medications, a person can try to reduce their agitation by avoiding situations that cause stress, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Depression in women can cause feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can also cause problems 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 the possibility of a relapse in depression.
According to research studies, women are more susceptible to depression than men. It is often thought that this is due to the number of roles women fill 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 can lead to depression, such as when they are pregnant or after menopausal.
It is also possible that some women are more prone for depression because of an earlier history of the condition or the family history of it. This could also be the case for women with an insecure self-esteem or have had issues with sexuality or body image.
Women who suffer from depression might suffer from sleep issues, fatigue and thoughts of suicide or death. In addition women suffering from depression may also feel feelings of guilt or shame. This is due to the fact that women are more susceptible to blame themselves for their mood issues 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. The use of antidepressants can ease these symptoms however it is essential to seek professional advice and guidance from a doctor.