Women With ADD - Symptoms and Diagnosis
For women who suffer from ADD, daily challenges continue well into adulthood. Women with ADD may have trouble meeting the needs of their families regardless of whether they are a bit distracted in school or struggle to keep up with household chores. Symptoms are different for women, and in contrast to the more common signs in men, which means the diagnosis and treatment process can be a challenge.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADD are often unable to maintain a job and take care of household chores. This is especially true when hormonal changes occur, such as menopausal, puberty, or PMS. Depression isn't a symptom but it can be a co-symptom with ADD and is misdiagnosed if doctors look for symptoms that are more common to men. 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 for the phone cause them to fall into the point of distraction. They also have issues with managing time, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating on tasks. They are prone to fidgeting and sleep poorly. More hints are also susceptible to depression and anxiety, which is often mistakenly referred to as bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Since the symptoms of women with ADD are less recognized than the men's It can be a challenge to diagnose. Doctors tend to concentrate on certain symptoms that are more common in boys, and miss the subtleties when it comes to ADD in girls. This is particularly relevant during menopausal cycles, puberty and perimenopausal periods, as well as PMS, which is when estrogen levels decrease. Depression is also a part of ADD in a lot of women and requires treatment. You can better understand your symptoms and the nature of the disorder by reading a few books on ADHD/ADD before visiting a doctor. You will be more comfortable and confident during the diagnostic process.