17 Signs To Know If You Work With ADD Symptoms In Women
ADD Symptoms in Women
Women suffering from ADD often are misunderstood and dismissed as overly emotional. Some sufferers are sucked into a state of disorientation or rage by minor inconveniences such as waiting in line or on hold.
Gender stereotypes may also obscure symptoms making it difficult to identify and diagnose. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a woman has undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They might describe their lives as feeling like a constant mess or chaos and are unable to receive the help they require from friends and family. They are also more vulnerable to anxiety and depression since they have a hard time dealing with criticism and stress. Women with ADHD are also more likely to engage in sexually risky actions, like promiscuity or casual sexual activity. These experiences can lead to sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies and low self-esteem as well as feelings of shame.
Some psychologists are working on conducting research on ADHD among women of adulthood. 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 conditions can mask or increase ADHD symptoms, affecting the ability of a woman to perform at work, school, and at home.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases which affect men and boys also make it difficult to diagnose ADHD in women and girls. Rating scales are skewed toward male behavior, and a girl's strategies for coping may not be as effective in the classroom or 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 make themselves more acceptable to.
Additionally to this, a variety of the same behavioral symptoms are present in all three subtypes of ADHD. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They could be unruly and fidgety, or on the go or distracted or forgetful, unorganized, talkative and impatient, unable and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Although the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, the inattention of ADHD can be equally debilitating for children and adults alike. It can be difficult to attempt to stay organized, manage your time effectively and keep track of all your daily tasks. For example, a child may not be able to meet important deadlines at school or a worker can forget about important meetings. adult adhd signs can also cause relationship problems as other people are annoyed when a partner or colleague is often lost in thought.
It's easy to ignore or dismiss the non-hyperactive signs of ADHD because they are less visible than stereotypical symptoms. Children with inattentive ADHD often are portrayed as being lazy or uncooperative because they fail to follow the instructions of parents or teachers, or 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 can include difficulty staying focused, becoming easily distracted, having poor listening skills, and losing things often. Inattentional ADHD can be exacerbated or made more severe by stress, anxiety and other issues like depression, poor sleep and nutrition, side effects of medication (especially stimulant medications) as well as poor eating habits and nutritional deficiencies.
Inattentive ADHD is more prevalent in girls and women than other ADD manifestations, however this subtype is often under-diagnosed and not treated. This is due to a number of factors including the specific symptoms, higher rates of anxiety and affective disorders 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 are unable to control 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 are aware that their behavior is harmful or problematic. Afterward, they often feel guilt or regret.
Children often act impulsively as they begin to understand the consequences of their decisions. It's also a sign of certain diseases like ADHD, antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania (the compulsion to set fires).
Impulsivity may be a sign of a mental illness such as bipolar disorder, stroke, brain tumors or diabetes. Alcohol can cause you to act impulsively by reducing your inhibitions.
Insomniacs can impact your relationships, work and your daily life. For instance, if have ADHD, impulsive behaviors can affect your daily routine and impact your ability to manage your finances or work. Interrupting other people while they're talking, blurting out answers to questions, or having trouble waiting in line are all signs. Adults, impulsive behavior can include shopping on a impulse and spending too much money, or watching too much television.
It's crucial to understand the distinction between compulsive and impulsive behavior. While impulsive behaviors are spontanious, compulsive actions are routine and ritualistic. For instance, sticking your hand in the flame to see if it's burning is an impulsive act and checking it over and over again to make sure the stove is turned off is a habitual behavior. Researchers don't know why males are more impulsive. Researchers suggest that genetics and hormonal changes in adulthood or adolescence, as well as the environment could be significant factors.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling of restlessness and irritability which can be caused by stress or an illness. It can make a person feel anxious, excited or tense. It could also lead to aggressive or suicidal behaviors. People who are anxious are often unable to sleep and could have issues with their relationships and work.
Talk to your doctor if you feel frequently agitated. The doctor might suggest that they try therapy or medication. If they experience chest pain or trouble breathing, this could be an indication of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation can be a sign of depression. Depression can bring feelings of despair, sadness and helplessness. People who are depressed may also suffer from agitation. This is often associated with anxiety and agitation. This is known as agitated depression, and experts are still learning the ways in which this type of depression is different from other forms of depression.
Sometimes, agitation can 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. People with these conditions may feel like they can't stay still, and may be agitated or wringing their hands.
Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, can trigger an increase in agitation. If you feel agitated frequently consult your physician. In some cases doctors will prescribe the patient a different drug that doesn't have this side effect. Apart from these medications people can also try to lessen their anxiety by avoiding situations that cause stress, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Depression in women is a serious mental health condition that can cause feelings of sadness, despair and a sense of worthlessness. It can also cause issues with eating, sleep and thinking clearly. It is crucial for women to get treatment for depression as soon as they notice the first indication of the illness. This will help to prevent symptoms from getting worse, and could even prevent the possibility of a relapse in depression.
Research indicates that women are more likely to experience depression than men. It is thought that this is due to the number of roles that women have in their lives, like being a mother and spouse and can cause stress or lead to burnout. Women are also more likely to experience hormonal changes that could lead to depression, such as during pregnancy or after menopause.
It is also possible that some women are more prone for depression because of a previous diagnosis of depression or an ancestor's history of it. This is also true for women who lack self-esteem, or have struggled with sexuality or body image issues.
Women suffering from depression may suffer from sleep issues, fatigue and thoughts of suicide or death. Additionally, women who have depression may also feel feelings of guilt or shame. Women are more likely to blame themselves for their moods and this is exacerbated because they have to take care of their children and other loved ones. Antidepressant medication can ease these symptoms. However, it's important to seek professional advice from a specialist.