Blog entry by Sarah Behrends
ADD Symptoms in Women
Women suffering from ADD often are misunderstood and dismissed as emotionally unstable. For some, even minor inconveniences like standing in lines or waiting for a call can drive them to distraction or rage.
Gender stereotypes can be a reason for symptoms to be hidden which makes it difficult to detect and diagnose. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a female suffers from undiagnosed ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They might describe their lives as like a constant mess or chaos, and they are unable to receive the support they need from friends and family. They also have a difficult time handling criticism and stress which makes them more prone to anxiety and depression. Women with ADHD are also more likely to engage risky sexual actions like sexually promiscuous or casual sexual relations. These experiences can lead to sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies and low self-esteem, as well as feelings of shame.
Some psychologists are developing research on ADHD among adult women. Julia Rucklidge, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is leading one of these efforts. Her and her colleagues are focusing on women who suffer from comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These co-occurring conditions can mask or increase ADHD symptoms, which can affect a woman's ability to perform at school, work, and at home.
Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases that affect men and boys also make it difficult to identify adhd in adults symptoms quiz for girls and women. Rating scales tend to favor male behavior, and girls might have less effective coping strategies in the workplace or at college. Women with hyperactive ADHD are often viewed as irrational or aggressive, and they may conceal their symptoms to make themselves more acceptable to.
In addition to this, a variety of the same behavioral symptoms can be observed in all three subtypes of ADHD. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive adhd symptoms in women test, or mixed symptoms. They might be agitated, fidgety or on the go, disruptive or forgetful, unorganized and impatient, unable and unwilling to wait for their turn, and prone mood swings.
Inattentiveness
While the impulsive or hyperactive symptoms of ADHD are more well-known, inattentional adhd adult female symptoms can be just as destructive for adults and children alike. The struggle to organize and effectively manage time and keep track of the daily chores can be overwhelming. For instance children may miss important deadlines at school, or an employee might forget to attend important meetings. Inattentive ADHD can also cause problems in relationships, as people become annoyed by a partner or coworker who is often lost in thoughts.
It's easy to overlook or dismiss the non-hyperactive symptoms of ADHD because they are less visible than typical symptoms. Children with inattentive ADHD often get mistaken for being uncooperative or lazy because they don't follow the instructions of parents or teachers or even daydream in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are also often ignored because their symptoms might not be as obvious as their peers who exhibit impulsivity or hyperactivity.
Inattentional ADHD may include difficulty staying focused, being easily pulled off task and having difficulty paying attention to details, poor listening skills, and frequent misplacing of items. Inattentive ADHD can be exacerbated or made more severe by stress, anxiety and other issues like insomnia, depression and nutrition, side effects of medication (especially stimulant medications), poor diet, and nutritional deficiencies.
Attention-deficit adhd symptoms in women is more prevalent in females and girls than other ADD manifestations, however this subtype is often under-diagnosed and untreated. This is due to a variety of factors, including the particular symptoms presented as well as the higher prevalence of anxiety and affective disorders in females and rating scales that favor male behavior. Inattentive extreme adhd symptoms symptoms can also be affected by hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle.
Impulsiveness
People who struggle to control their impulses usually experience a feeling of excitement or tension before acting on their urges. They also have a tough to resist the urges even if they are aware that the behaviour is harmful or problematic. Afterward, they often feel guilt or regret.
Children tend to act in impulsive ways as they learn about the consequences of their choices. It's also a symptom of certain disorders like ADHD as well as antisocial personalities disorder and pyromania.
The tendency to be impulsive could be a sign of mental illness, like bipolar disorder or stroke, brain tumors, or diabetes. Certain substances, like alcohol, can cause inhibitions to be broken and cause you to act in a impulsive manner.
Inability to control your impulses can affect your relationships, work, and everyday life. If you suffer from ADHD for instance an impulsive attitude can interfere with your daily routine and affect your ability to manage money or work. Interrupting others while they're talking, blurting out answers to questions, or having trouble waiting in line are all symptoms. Adults who are impulsive can include spending excessively on purchases, shopping on a whim or watching excessive television.
It is important to distinguish between compulsive and impulsive behavior. While impulsive behavior is spontaneous, compulsive behaviors are repetitive and ritualistic. As an example, putting the hand in the fire to see if it's still on is an impulsive action, while checking the stove repeatedly to ensure that it is off is a habitual behavior. Studies have shown that men are more impulsive than women, however researchers aren't sure why. Researchers suggest that genetics and hormonal changes in adulthood or adolescence, as well as the surrounding environment could be significant factors.
Agitation
Agitation is a feeling that causes restlessness and irritability that can be caused by stress or a medical condition. It can cause someone to feel anxious, excited or tense, and it can trigger aggression or suicidal behavior. People who are stressed often find it hard to sleep and may have problems with their relationships or at work.
If a person feels agitated often, they should speak to their doctor. The doctor may want them to consider therapy or medication. If they feel chest pain or trouble breathing, it could be an indication of a heart attack.
Sometimes, agitation can be a sign of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of helplessness, sadness and despair. 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 kinds.
In other instances, agitation may be a symptom of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can render people unable to differentiate between what is real and not. These people may pace or wring hands or feel like they are unable to remain still.
Some medications, such as antipsychotics, can cause an increase in agitation. If you feel agitated on a regular basis, talk to your doctor. Doctors can prescribe a treatment that doesn't have this effect. In addition to these medications one can also reduce their agitation through avoidance of stressful situations, eating healthy diet, and getting enough rest.
The following are the ways to decrease your risk:
Women who suffer from depression are afflicted with a serious mental health problem that can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness. It can also cause issues with sleep, eating and the ability to think clearly. Women should seek treatment for depression immediately they start to notice signs. This can stop the symptoms from getting worse and could lead to the possibility of a Relapse.
According to research studies, women are more susceptible to depression than men. It is believed that this is due to the number of roles women play in their lives, such as being a mother and spouse and can cause stress or cause burnout. Women are also more likely to have hormonal changes that can cause depression, such as when they are pregnant or after menopausal.
It is also possible that certain women are more at risk for depression due to an earlier experience with the condition or the family history of it. This could also be the case for women who are self-conscious or who have had issues with body image or sexuality issues.
Women suffering from depression may suffer from sleep issues, fatigue and thoughts of suicide or death. Women who are depressed might be prone to feeling guilt or shame. Women are more likely to blame themselves for their moods, and this can be exacerbated because they have to take care of their children and other loved ones. The use of antidepressant medication can ease these symptoms however, it is crucial to seek out professional advice and guidance from a specialist.