10 Misleading Answers To Common ADD Symptoms In Women Questions: Do You Know The Right Answers?
ADD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADD frequently are misunderstood or dismissed as being emotionally prone. Some people are driven to distraction or rage by minor inconveniences like waiting in line or being on hold.
Gender stereotypes can be a reason for symptoms to be hidden making 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 may feel overwhelmed by the everyday tasks they have to perform. They may feel that their lives are in continuous mess, or chaos. They may also have difficulty to get the help they need from family and friends. They also have a difficult dealing with stress and criticism which makes them more prone to depression and anxiety. Women with ADHD can also be more likely to engage in sexually risky behaviors, such as promiscuous or casual sexual relations. These experiences can lead sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancy, low self-esteem and 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 endeavor. She and her coworkers are focusing on females who suffer from comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. signs of adult adhd co-occurring conditions can mask or increase ADHD symptoms, affecting the ability of a woman to function at school, work, and home.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases that affect men and boys also make it difficult to recognize ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and girls' strategies for coping may not be as efficient in the college setting or in the workplace. Women who have impulsive ADHD are often dismissed as aggressive or irrational, and can hide their symptoms to fit in.
Additionally, many of the same behavioral symptoms are found in all three subtypes of ADHD. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They may be fidgety constantly on the move, disruptive or disorganized and impatient in their ability to wait for their turn, and prone to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Attention-deficit ADHD is just as debilitating for adults and children. It can be overwhelming to attempt to stay organized, manage your time efficiently and keep track of all your daily tasks. A child might miss important deadlines in school, or a worker may miss important meetings. Inattention ADHD can also cause relationship problems as other people become frustrated when a partner or colleague is often distracted by thoughts.
The non-hyperactive manifestation of ADHD is less apparent than the symptoms that are commonly associated with it, which makes it easy for people to overlook or dismiss these problems. Children with inattentive ADHD often are mistaken for being lazy or uncooperative due to their inability to follow instructions given by parents or teachers or even ponder their thoughts in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked, since their symptoms might be less evident than those of their peers' hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Inattentional ADHD can include trouble staying focused, easily pulled off task, difficulty paying attention to small details and poor listening skills and frequent misplacement of belongings. Inattentive ADHD can be aggravated or worsened by anxiety, stress and other disorders like insomnia, depression nutrition, medication side-effects (especially stimulant medications) as well as poor eating habits and nutritional deficiencies.
Inattentional ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls than any other ADD presentation, but it is often not properly diagnosed and treated. This is due to a number of factors including the specific symptoms presented as well as the higher prevalence of anxiety and affective disorders in females and rating scales that favor male behavior. Furthermore, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can significantly impact how inattentive ADHD symptoms appear.
Impulsiveness
People who have trouble controlling their impulses often experience a feeling of tension or excitement prior to taking action on their impulses. They also have trouble resisting urges, even when they know that the act is harmful or dangerous. In the end, they usually feel regret or guilt.
Children tend to act in impulsive ways as they begin to understand the consequences of their choices. It's also a symptom of certain conditions like ADHD as well as antisocial personality disorder and pyromania (the compulsion to set fires).
The tendency to be impulsive could be a sign of a mental illness such as bipolar disorder or stroke, brain tumors, or diabetes. Alcohol can also cause you to be impulsive because it reduces your inhibitions.
An inability to control your impulses can impact your relationships, work and your daily life. For instance, if you have ADHD, impulsive behaviors can interfere with your daily routine and impact your ability to work or manage money. Interrupting others while they're talking, blurting out answers to questions, and having trouble waiting in line are all symptoms. Adults who are in a state of impulsive behavior include spending too much money in a hurry, shopping on a whim or consuming too much TV.
It is crucial to differentiate between impulsive and compulsive behavior. While impulsive behaviors are spontanious, compulsive actions are repetitive and ritualistic. For instance, placing hands in a flame to check if it's on is an act of impulsiveness and checking the stove on a regular basis to ensure it's off is a habitual behavior. Researchers don't know why men are more aggressive. They suggest that genetics, environment and hormonal changes during adolescence and adulthood could be the reason for the differences.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling of agitation and irritability which can be triggered by stress or an illness. It can make someone feel anxious, excited or tense. It can also lead to aggressive or suicidal behavior. People who are agitated are often unable to sleep and might be having issues with their relationships or at work.
Talk to your doctor if frequently agitated. The doctor may want them to consider therapy or medication. It is also recommended to visit the hospital if they experience chest pain or difficulty breathing that could be a sign of an attack on the heart.
Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness. Some people with depression may also have agitation, which is often combined with restlessness and anxiety. This is known as"agitated depression," and experts are still learning how this type of depression is different from other forms of depression.
In other instances, agitation may be a symptom of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make people unable to differentiate between what is real and what isn't. People with these conditions may sway or hold hands or feel like they can't stay still.
Agitation is also an effect of certain medications, including antipsychotic drugs. If you experience agitation regularly, talk to your doctor. Doctors can prescribe a treatment that does not have this effect. Apart from these medications people can also try to decrease their anxiety by abstaining from situations that stress them out and eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep.
Depression
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 as soon as they start to notice signs. This can stop the symptoms from becoming worse and may even lead to an return.
Research suggests that women are more likely to suffer from depression than men. It is often thought that this is due to the variety of roles women fill in their lives, like being a mother and spouse, which can create stress or cause burnout. Women are also more likely to have hormonal changes that can cause depression, such as during pregnancy or after menopause.
It is also possible that certain women are more at risk for depression due to an earlier diagnosis of depression or an ancestor's history of it. This is also true for women who lack self-esteem, or have struggled with body image or sexuality issues.
Women who suffer from depression might suffer from sleep issues, fatigue and thoughts of suicide or death. Women who are depressed may be prone to feeling guilt or shame. Women tend to blame themselves for their depressed mood, and this can be made worse by having to take care of their children and loved ones. The use of antidepressants can ease these symptoms, but it is important to get professional advice and guidance from a professional.