Don't Buy Into These “Trends” About ADD Symptoms In Women
ADD Symptoms in Women Women who suffer from ADD are often misunderstood or dismissed as being excessively emotional. For some, even minor inconveniences like waiting in line or waiting on hold drive them to distraction or rage. Gender stereotypes can also mask symptoms making it difficult to recognize and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to help determine if a woman suffers from undetected ADHD. Hyperactivity Women with ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the everyday tasks they must complete. They might feel that their lives are a constant mess, or chaos. They are also unable to get the help they require from family and friends. They are also more prone to anxiety and depression because they have a hard time 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 activity. These sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies, as well as low self-esteem and feelings of shame. A few psychologists are working to build up the research on ADHD in women of adulthood. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one such endeavor. She and her colleagues focus on females with comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety. These co-occurring disorders can cause or worsen ADHD symptoms, affecting the ability of a woman to perform at work, school, and at home. Rucklidge discusses how many of the same biases which affect men and boys also make it difficult to identify ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and a girl's strategies for coping may not be as effective in college or the workplace. Women who exhibit impulsive ADHD symptoms are often viewed as being irrational or agressive and are more likely to conceal their symptoms in order to fit in better. All three subtypes of ADHD share a number of behavioral signs. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They might be agitated and fidgety, or constantly moving around, disruptive, forgetful, disorganized or impatient. They may also be agitated and talkative inability and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone mood swings. Inattentiveness Inattentive ADHD is equally debilitating to adults and children. It can be difficult to stay organized, manage your time well and keep track of all the daily tasks. For signs of adhd adults might not be able to meet important deadlines at school or an employee might forget to attend important meetings. Inattentive ADHD may also cause relationships problems when other people are annoyed when a partner or coworker is often distracted by thoughts. The non-hyperactive presentation of ADHD isn't as prominent as the stereotypical symptoms, so it's easy for people to overlook or dismiss these issues. Children with inattentive ADHD are often portrayed as lazy or uncooperative kids because they don't heed the instructions of their parents or teachers or even think about their daydreams in class. Adults with inattentive ADHD are also often missed because their symptoms might not be as obvious as their peers' hyperactivity or impulsivity. Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can include difficulty staying focused, being easily distracted, lacking listening skills, and losing items often. Inattentive ADHD can be exacerbated or made worse by stress, anxiety and other conditions such as depression, poor sleep, nutrition, medication side-effects (especially stimulant medications), poor diet, and nutritional deficiencies. Inattentive ADHD affects more females and girls than any other ADD presentation, yet it is often not properly diagnosed and treated. This is due to a mix of factors, such as specific symptom manifestations, higher rates of co-existing anxiety disorders and affective disorders in females, and ratings scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior. Furthermore, hormonal fluctuations throughout menstrual cycles can greatly influence how inattention ADHD symptoms manifest. Impulsiveness People who struggle to control their impulses often experience a sense of excitement or tension before acting on their urges. They also have a tough to resist their urges, even if they are aware that the actions are dangerous or harmful. They often feel remorse or guilt following the incident, too. Children tend to act in impulsive ways as they begin to understand the consequences of their actions. It can also be a sign of some conditions like ADHD and antisocial personality disorder and pyromania. Impulsivity can be a sign that you suffer from mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, a brain tumor or stroke or a chronic medical issue such as diabetes or heart disease. Certain substances, such as alcohol can cause inhibitions to be broken and cause you to act recklessly. Insomniacs can affect your relationships, career and your daily life. If you have ADHD for instance an impulsive attitude can disrupt your daily routine and affect your ability to manage your finances or work. Interrupting other people while they talk, blurting answers to questions, or having trouble waiting in line are all signs. In adults, impulsive behaviors could include shopping on a whim or spending too much money or watching a lot of television. It is important to distinguish between impulsive and compulsive behavior. While impulsive behaviors are spontaneous, compulsive behavior is routine and ritualistic. As an example, putting the hand in the fire to check if it's on is an impulsive action, while checking the stove repeatedly to ensure that it is off is a habitual behavior. Researchers don't know why males are more aggressive. Researchers speculate that genetics and hormonal changes in adulthood or adolescence, and also the environment could be contributing factors. Agitation Agitation is a feeling that causes restlessness and irritability that could be triggered by stress or an illness. It can cause someone to feel anxious, excited, or tense, and can lead to aggression or suicidal behaviors. People who are stressed may have difficulty sleeping and experience problems in their relationships as well as at work. Speak to your doctor if frequently agitated. The doctor may suggest that they try a medication or therapy. They should also go to the hospital if they have chest pain or trouble breathing, which could be a sign of an attack on the heart. Sometimes, agitation may be an indication of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of sadness, helplessness and despair. People who are depressed may also have agitation which is often accompanied with restlessness and anxiety. This is referred to as an agitated depression. Experts are still learning about the ways in which this type of depression differs from other forms of depression. Sometimes, agitation could be an indication of a mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make it difficult for people to determine what is real and what is not. People with these conditions may sway or hold hands or feel like they can't remain still. Certain medications, like antipsychotics, can trigger an increase in agitation. If you feel agitated on a regular basis, talk to your doctor. In some cases doctors may prescribe the patient a different drug that does not have this side effect. In addition to these drugs, a person may also reduce their anxiety by staying clear of stressful situations, eating healthy diet, and getting enough rest. Depression Depression in women is a serious mental health condition that can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness. It can also cause issues with eating, sleeping and thinking clearly. It is important for women to seek treatment for depression as early as the first indication of the illness. This can prevent 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 believed that this is due to the variety of roles that women have in their lives, like being a wife and mother, which can create stress or cause burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes which can cause depression. This is especially true when menopausal and pregnancy. It is possible that women are more at risk of depression due to previous history of depression or a family history of it. This is also the case for women who have a low self-esteem or have struggled with issues with body image or sexuality. Women who are depressed may be suffering from fatigue, sleep issues and thoughts of suicide or death. Additionally women suffering from depression may also feel feelings of guilt or shame. Women tend to blame themselves for their depressed mood, and this can be exacerbated because they have to look after their children and family members. Antidepressant medications can ease these symptoms. However, it's crucial to seek out professional advice from a medical professional.