Women With ADD - Symptoms and Diagnosis
For women who suffer from ADD, daily challenges continue until they reach adulthood. Women who suffer from ADD may have trouble meeting their family's demands, whether they daydream in school or struggle to manage household chores. adhd in women treatment of ADD in women differ from those seen in men. This can make diagnosing and treating difficult.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADD can find it difficult to keep a job and handle household chores. This is especially true during hormonal changes like puberty, menopause, or PMS. Depression isn't a symptom but it can be a co-symptom with ADD and is misdiagnosed if doctors look for signs 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 on the phone drive them to the point of distraction. They also struggle with time management, forgetfulness and difficulties concentrating on their tasks. adhd in older women may have a tendency to be irritable and sleep poorly. They may be prone to anxiety and depression which is often mistakenly diagnosed as bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Since the symptoms of women with ADD are less recognized than the men's, it can be difficult to be diagnosed. Doctors usually look for certain symptoms that are more typical of males and don't recognize the subtleties of the disorder as it is affecting girls, particularly during puberty, PMS or perimenopausal and menopausal estrogen levels drop. Depression is also a part of ADD in a lot of women and requires treatment. You will be able to better understand your symptoms and the nature of the disorder by reading a few books about ADD/ADHD before you visit an expert. You will feel more confident and comfortable during the diagnostic process.