10 Add Adult Women Tricks All Experts Recommend
Women With ADD - Symptoms and Diagnosis
For women who suffer from ADD, daily challenges continue until they reach adulthood. Women who suffer from ADD might struggle to meet their family's needs regardless of whether they are a bit distracted at school or struggle to complete household chores. The symptoms of ADD in women are different and opposite from the symptoms seen in males. This makes diagnosis and treatment difficult.
Signs and symptoms
Women with ADD are often unable to maintain a job and handle household chores. This is particularly true during hormonal changes like menopausal, puberty, or PMS. Depression, while not a sign of ADD is often a co-morbidity with the disorder and is often incorrectly diagnosed by doctors looking for signs more typical of boys. Women with the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADD are impatient visibly or internally, jump into activities without thinking and speak and act impulsively. Minor irritations like standing in line or waiting on the phone can lead them to the point of distraction. They also struggle with managing their time, forgetfulness and difficulties concentrating on their tasks. They are often fidgety and have trouble sleeping. They could be susceptible to depression and anxiety which are often misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder.
Since the symptoms of women with ADD are less recognized than those of men and therefore, it can be difficult to be diagnosed. Doctors often look for a specific set of symptoms more typical of boys and don't recognize the subtleties of the disorder as it affects girls, particularly during puberty, PMS or perimenopausal and menopausal estrogen levels decrease. Depression can also be a co-occurring condition with ADD in a lot of women and must be treated. You can better understand your symptoms and the underlying condition by reading a few books about ADHD/ADD before visiting the doctor. You will be more comfortable and confident throughout the process of diagnosing.