Be On The Lookout For: How ADD Symptoms In Women Is Gaining Ground And What You Can Do About It
ADD Symptoms in Women Women with ADD are often misunderstood, or dismissed as being too emotional. Some people are driven to distraction or anger by minor inconveniences like waiting in line or being placed on hold. Gender stereotypes can also mask symptoms making it difficult to identify and diagnose. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging to determine if a woman suffers from undiagnosed ADHD. Hyperactivity Women suffering from ADHD often find themselves overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They might describe their lives as feeling like a constant chaos and struggle to find the support they need from friends and family. They are also more susceptible to depression and anxiety because they have difficulty dealing with stress and criticism. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to engage risky sexual actions like casual or promiscuous sexual activity. These behaviors can result in sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy, and low self-esteem and feelings of shame. Psychologists are working to expand the research on ADHD in adult women. Julia Rucklidge is a PhD student at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. She is the leader of this project. She and her colleagues focus on females suffering from comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression. These co-occurring disorders can cause or worsen ADHD symptoms, affecting a woman's ability to function at work, school, and home. Rucklidge explains that many of the same biases which affect both men and boys make it difficult to identify ADHD for girls and women. Rating scales are skewed toward male behavior, and females' coping strategies may be less efficient in the college setting or in the workplace. Women who exhibit impulsive ADHD symptoms are often viewed as irrational or aggressive and are more likely to conceal their symptoms in order to fit in better. The three different subtypes of ADHD share many behavioral symptoms. Women can experience inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or mixed symptoms. They may be fidgety restless or on-the-go, disruptive or disorganized and impatient in their ability to wait for 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 just as debilitating for children and adults alike. The struggle to stay organized, manage time effectively and stay on top of everyday tasks can be overwhelming. A child might miss important deadlines in school or a worker could forget important meetings. Inattention ADHD can also cause relationship problems as other people are annoyed when a partner or coworker is often distracted by thoughts. The non-hyperactive manifestation of ADHD is less apparent than the symptoms that are commonly associated with it, so it's easy for people to ignore or dismiss these problems. Children with inattentive ADHD often are portrayed as being uncooperative or lazy because they fail to follow the instructions of teachers or parents, or daydream in classes. Adults with inattentive ADHD are often overlooked since their symptoms might be less apparent than their peers with impulsivity and hyperactivity. Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can include trouble staying focused, easily pulled off task, difficulty paying attention to small details and listening skills that are not as good, and frequent misplacement of belongings. Inattentive ADHD symptoms can be worsened by stress, anxiety, diet and nutrition, mineral deficiencies, medication adverse effects (particularly certain stimulant medications), poor sleep, depression, or other medical ailments. Attention-deficit ADHD is more prevalent in women and girls than other ADD manifestations, yet this type of ADD is often not diagnosed and undertreated. This is due to a mix of factors, such as specific symptom manifestations, higher prevalence of co-existing anxiety and affective disorders among females, and ratings scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior. Inattention ADHD symptoms can also be affected by hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle. Impulsiveness People who have trouble controlling their impulses often feel a sense of tension or excitement prior to taking action on their impulses. They also have a hard time resisting the urges, even when they know the behaviour is dangerous or harmful. They may feel regret or guilt following the incident, too. It's normal for young children to act impulsively but they become aware of it as they grow and learn more about the consequences of their actions. It's also a sign of certain diseases like ADHD, antisocial personality disorder, and pyromania (the desire to burn things). It could be a sign that you have mental health issues, like bipolar disorder, a brain tumor or stroke or a chronic medical problem such as diabetes or heart disease. Alcohol can also trigger you to act out in a reckless manner because it reduces your inhibitions. Insomniacs can affect your relationships, career and daily life. If you have ADHD, for example your impulsive behavior could affect your routine and impact your ability to manage your finances or work. Interrupting other people while they are talking, blurting answers to questions, and having difficulty waiting in line are all symptoms. Adults who are impulsive can include spending excessive amounts of money in a hurry, shopping on a whim or watching excessive television. It's crucial to understand the distinction between compulsive and impulsive behavior. Compulsive behavior is ritualistic and repetitive, while impulsive behaviour is spontaneous. For instance, placing a hand in a fire to check if it's on is an impulsive action while checking the stove repeatedly to make sure it's off is a habitual behavior. Research has shown that men are more aggressive than women, but researchers aren't able to pinpoint the reason. They speculate that the environment, genetics and hormonal changes during the adolescent years and into adulthood could be a factor in the differences. Agitation Stress or a medical issue can trigger a feeling of agitation and irritation. It can make someone feel anxious, stressed or nervous. It could also lead to suicidal or aggressive behavior. People who are agitated may have difficulty sleeping and experience problems in their relationships and at work. If someone feels anxious often, they should talk to their doctor. The doctor may suggest that they try a medication or therapy. If they feel chest pain or difficulty breathing, it could be an indication of a heart attack. Sometimes, agitation may be a sign of depression. Depression can trigger feelings of sadness, helplessness and despair. People who are depressed may also experience agitation. This is usually associated with anxiety and agitation. This is known as agitated depressive disorder, and experts still aren't certain of how it differs from other types. Other times, agitation is an indication of a mental health condition like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These conditions can render an individual unable to discern between what is real and not. Patients with these conditions may feel as if they can't stay still, and they may move around or shake their hands. Some medications, such as antipsychotics, may cause an increase in agitation. Patients taking these medications should talk to their doctor whenever they feel frequently agitated. In signs of adult add , doctors will give the patient a different medication that doesn't cause this effect. In addition to these drugs they can reduce their agitation through staying clear of stressful situations, eating healthy food, and getting enough rest. The following are the ways to reduce your risk of contracting a disease: Women who suffer from depression can experience feelings of despair and sadness. It can also cause issues with sleep, eating and focusing. Women need to seek treatment for depression as soon as they start to notice signs. This will stop the symptoms from getting worse and could lead to an Relapse. Research suggests that women are more likely to experience depression than men. It is thought that this is due to the multitude of roles women play in life, such as being a mother and spouse, which can create stress or lead to burnout. Women are also more likely to experience hormonal changes that can lead to depression, for example during menopausal or pregnancy. It is possible that some women are at a greater risk of depression due to an earlier history of the condition, or a family background of it. This could also be the case for women who lack self-esteem or who have struggled with sexuality or body image issues. The most prominent signs that are present in women suffering from depression include a lack of energy sleeplessness, insomnia and thoughts of death or suicide. People who are depressed may also feel shame or guilt. This is due to the fact that women are more susceptible to blaming themselves for their moods and this can be made worse by the fact that they bear a greater responsibility to care for their children and other loved ones. Antidepressant medication can ease these symptoms. However, it is crucial to seek out professional advice from a specialist.