Elton Diamond

ADD Symptoms in Women

Women who suffer from ADD frequently are misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable. For some, minor nuisances like waiting in line or waiting for a call can drive them into rage or distraction.

Gender stereotypes can disguise symptoms, making them hard to detect and diagnose. At Amen Clinics, we use brain imaging to determine if a woman suffers from undiagnosed ADHD.

Hyperactivity

Women suffering from ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They may feel that their lives are a constant mess, or chaos. They may also have difficulty to get the help they require from family and friends. They are also more vulnerable to anxiety and depression since 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 behavior, like promiscuity or casual sexual activity. These experiences can lead sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies, as well as low self-esteem, and feelings shame.

Some psychologists are working to build up the research on ADHD in women who are adults. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one of these efforts. She and her colleagues are focusing on women with comorbid disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These co-occurring conditions can mask or exacerbate ADHD, affecting the ability of a woman to perform at work, home and at school.

Rucklidge discusses how many of the same biases which affect boys and men also make it difficult to recognize ADHD in girls and women. Rating scales are biased towards male behavior, and females' strategies for dealing with stress may not be as efficient in the college setting or in the workplace. Women who have hyperactive ADHD are often dismissed as irrational or aggressive, and may hide their symptoms in order to fit in.

All three subtypes of ADHD share many behavioral symptoms. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive adhd symptoms ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They can be fidgety, constantly on the move, disruptive, forgetful and disorganized as well as impatient, irritable, unable to wait their turn, and prone to 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. The struggle to organize, manage time effectively and track daily tasks can feel overwhelming. Children may be late to school for important deadlines or a worker might not remember important meetings. Inattention ADHD can also lead to issues with relationships as others become frustrated when a partner or coworker is often distracted by thoughts.

The non-hyperactive presentation of ADHD is less apparent than the stereotypical symptoms, therefore it is easy for people to ignore or dismiss these problems. Children who have inattentive ADHD often are portrayed as being lazy or uncooperative due to their inability to follow instructions from teachers or parents, or daydream in class. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked because their symptoms may not be as apparent as their peers' hyperactivity or impulsivity.

symptoms of mild adhd in adults of inattentive adhd symptoms in Adulthood can include having trouble staying focused, getting easily distracted and unable to pay attention to details and listening skills that are not as good, and frequent misplacing of items. Inattentive ADHD symptoms may also be caused by anxiety, stress, diet and nutrition, mineral deficiencies as well as medication-related side effects (particularly certain stimulant medications), poor sleep and depression, as well as other medical conditions.

Attention-deficit adhd behavior symptoms is more common in girls and women than other ADD presentations, but this type of ADD is often not diagnosed and not treated. This is largely due to a mix of factors, including specific symptoms presentations, higher rates of co-existing anxiety disorders and affective disorders in females and ratings scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout menstrual cycles can greatly affect how irritable ADHD symptoms appear.

Impulsiveness

People who struggle to control their impulses usually experience a feeling of tension or excitement prior to acting on their urges. They also struggle to resist impulses, even if they are aware that the behavior is harmful or problematic. They may feel regret or guilt following the incident, too.

It's normal for young children to behave impulsively, but they grow out of it as they mature and become aware of the consequences of their actions. It can also be a sign of certain disorders like ADHD and antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania.

The tendency to be impulsive could indicate that you are suffering from an illness of the mind, like bipolar disorder, stroke or brain tumor or a chronic medical issue such as heart disease or diabetes. Alcohol can also cause you to act out in a reckless manner by reducing your inhibitions.

Inability to control your impulses can affect your relationships, work and your daily life. For instance, if you have ADHD, impulsive behaviors can disrupt your day-to-day routine and impact your ability to work or manage money. Some of the symptoms of adhd in adults include interrupting other people when they're speaking, blurting out answers to questions and finding it difficult to wait your turn when standing in the line. Adults who are impulsive can include spending too much money in a hurry, shopping on a whim or watching excessive television.

It is crucial to differentiate between compulsive and impulsive behavior. Compulsive behavior is repetitive and ritualistic and impulsive behavior is spontaneous. For example, putting your hand into the fire to see if it's burning is an impulsive act and checking it over and over again to ensure that the stove is turned off is a compulsive behavior. Studies show that men are more aggressive than women, but researchers don't know exactly why. Researchers speculate that genetics and hormonal changes during adolescence and adulthood and also the environment could be significant factors.

Agitation

Agitation is a feeling that causes restlessness and irritability that can be triggered by stress or a medical condition. It can make a person feel anxious, agitated or tense. It can also lead to aggressive or suicidal behaviors. People who are agitated frequently have trouble getting to sleep and may be having issues with their relationships or at work.

Speak to your doctor if you feel agitated often. The doctor might suggest that they try a medication or therapy. If they experience chest pain or trouble breathing, this could be an indication of a heart attack.

Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and feeling of helplessness. Some people with depression may also experience agitation, which is often combined with restlessness and anxiety. This is known as agitated depression, and experts are still learning how this kind of depression differs from other types of depression.

Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of a mental illness such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These conditions can make an individual unable to discern between what is real and what isn't. People with these conditions may feel like they can't stay still, and they may move around or shake their hands.

Agitation is also an effect of certain medication, such as antipsychotics. People who are taking these drugs should consult their physician when they experience frequent agitation. 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 agitation through avoidance of stressful situations, eating healthy food, and getting enough sleep.

Here are a few of the methods to lower your risk:

Women who suffer from depression can experience feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can also cause problems with sleeping, eating and focusing. It is important for women to seek treatment for depression at the earliest indication of the illness. This can help prevent the symptoms from becoming worse and may even prevent a relapse of depression.

Research indicates that women are more likely to be affected by depression than men. This is believed to be due to the multiple roles women have in their lives, like being a wife and mother which can cause stress or burnout. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes which can cause depression. This is especially true during pregnancy and after menopause.

It is possible that certain women are at a greater risk of depression due to an earlier history of depression or a family history of it. This can also be the case for women with low self-esteem or who have faced issues with body image or sexuality.

The most prominent symptoms that are common in depression in women include fatigue, lack of motivation, difficulty sleeping and thoughts of dying or suicide. In addition women suffering from depression may also experience feelings of guilt or shame. Women tend to blame themselves for their depressed mood, and this can be increased when they are required to care for their children and other loved ones. Antidepressant medications can ease these hidden symptoms of adhd in adults. However, it's crucial to seek out professional advice from a medical professional.