17 Signs To Know You Work With ADD Symptoms In Women
ADD Symptoms in Women
Women suffering from ADD are often misunderstood or dismissed as being excessively emotional. For some, small inconveniences like standing in lines or waiting for a call can drive them into rage or distraction.
Gender stereotypes can also camouflage symptoms, making them hard to recognize and identify. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to help determine whether a woman has undetected ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the tasks they have to perform. They may feel like their lives are in chaotic, or constant chaos. They may also have difficulty to receive the support they require from family members and friends. They also have a tougher time handling criticism and stress which makes them more prone to anxiety and depression. Women with ADHD are also more likely to engage in risky sexual actions like casual or promiscuous sexual relations. These behaviors can result in sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy and low self-esteem as well as feelings of shame.
A few psychologists are working on advancing the research on ADHD in women of adulthood. Julia Rucklidge is a PhD student from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She is the head of this research. Her team focuses on females suffering from comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety. These co-occurring disorders can cause or worsen ADHD symptoms, affecting women's ability to function at work, school, and at home.
Rucklidge explains that a lot of the same biases that affect boys and men make it difficult to identify ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales are skewed toward male behavior, and girls' strategies for coping may not be as effective in college or the workplace. Women who have hyperactive ADHD are often viewed as irrational or aggressive, and can hide their symptoms to fit in.
All three subtypes of ADHD have a variety of behavioral symptoms. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They could be unruly, fidgety or constantly moving around and disruptive, forgetful, disorganized and impatient inability and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone to mood swings.
Inattentiveness
Attention-deficit ADHD is just as debilitating for adults and children. The struggles to stay organized, manage time efficiently and stay on top of the daily chores can be overwhelming. For example children may not be able to meet important deadlines at school or workers may forget about important meetings. Inattentive ADHD may also cause issues with relationships as others are annoyed when a partner or co-worker is frequently distracted by thoughts.
The non-hyperactive manifestation of ADHD is less visible than the symptoms that are commonly associated with it, so it's easy for people to overlook or dismiss these problems. Children who have inattentive ADHD are often portrayed as lazy or uncooperative kids because they do not follow the instructions of their parents or teachers or do not think about their thoughts in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked, because their symptoms are less obvious than their peers with impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD may include difficulty staying focused, getting easily distracted and having difficulty paying attention to small details, poor listening skills, and frequent misplacing of items. Inattentive ADHD symptoms may also be caused by anxiety, stress as well as diet and nutrition mineral deficiencies, medication adverse effects (particularly certain stimulant medications), poor sleep and depression, as well as other medical conditions.
Inattentive ADHD is more prevalent among females and girls than any other ADD presentation, yet it is often misdiagnosed and not treated. This is largely due to a combination of factors, including specific symptoms presentations, higher rates of co-existing anxiety and affective disorders in females and rating scales that are biased towards male behavior. Inattention ADHD symptoms are also influenced by hormone changes during menstrual cycles.
Impulsiveness
People who have difficulty controlling their impulses experience a feeling of excitement or tension prior to acting on their impulses. They also have a difficult time resisting the urges, even if they know that the actions are harmful or problematic. They often feel guilt or guilt afterward, too.
It's normal for children to behave impulsively however they get rid of it as they grow and begin to understand the consequences of their actions. It's also a sign of certain disorders like ADHD as well as antisocial personality disorder and pyromania (the compulsion to set fires).
It could be a sign that you suffer from a mental health condition such as bipolar disorder, a brain tumor or stroke or a chronic medical problem such as heart disease or diabetes. Alcohol can also trigger you to be impulsive because it reduces your inhibitions.
Inability to control your impulses can impact your relationships, work and your daily life. If you have ADHD, for example your impulsive behavior could affect your daily routine and impair your ability to manage your finances or work. Interrupting people when they're talking, blurting out answers to questions, or having trouble waiting in line are all signs. Impulsive behaviors in adults can include spending excessive amounts of money, shopping on a whim or watching excessive television.
It is crucial to differentiate between compulsive and impulsive behavior. Compulsive behaviour is repetitive and ritualistic and impulsive behavior is spontaneous. For instance, placing your hand into the fire to see if it's burning is an impulsive behavior and checking it over and over again to ensure that the stove is off is a compulsive behavior. adhd symptoms for women show that men are more impulsive than women, however researchers don't know exactly why. They believe that genetics, environment and hormonal changes in the adolescent years and into adulthood could be the reason for the differences.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling that causes restlessness and irritability which can be triggered by stress or an illness. It can make a person feel anxious, agitated or tense. It can also lead to aggressive or suicidal behavior. People who are anxious are often unable to sleep and could be having issues with their relationships or work.
If someone is agitated often, they should speak to their doctor. The doctor might suggest that they try a medication or therapy. It is also recommended to visit the hospital if they experience chest pain or trouble breathing that could indicate an attack on the heart.
Sometimes, agitation may be an indication of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and feeling of helplessness. Some people with depression might also be agitated which is often accompanied with restlessness and anxiety. This is referred to as agitated depression disorder, and experts still aren't certain of how it differs from other types.
Sometimes, agitation could be an indication of a mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can make it difficult for someone to discern what is real and what is not. People with these conditions may feel as if they can't stay still, and may be agitated or wringing their hands.
Agitation can also be a side effect of some medication, such as antipsychotics. Patients taking these medications should consult their physician when they experience frequent agitation. Doctors can prescribe a treatment that isn't prone to this side-effect. Aside from these medicines one can attempt to lessen their anxiety by avoiding situations that can stress them out and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep.
Depression
Depression in women can cause feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can also cause issues with sleep, eating and thinking clearly. It is important for women to get treatment for depression as early as the first indication of the illness. This can stop the symptoms from getting worse and could lead to the possibility of a Relapse.
Research indicates that women are more likely to experience depression than men. It is thought that this is due to the variety of roles women play in life, such as being a mother and spouse and can cause stress or cause burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes, which can lead to depression. This is especially true during pregnancy and after menopause.
It is possible that some women are more at risk of depression because of a prior experience with the disorder, or a family background of it. This is also the case for women with a low self-esteem or have struggled with issues related to body image or sexuality.
adhd symptoms for women who suffer from depression might experience fatigue, sleep problems and thoughts of suicide or death. Women who are depressed may also feel guilt or shame. Women tend to blame themselves for their low spirits, and this can be exacerbated because they have to care for their children and other loved ones. The use of antidepressant medication can ease these symptoms, but it is important to seek out professional advice and guidance from a doctor.