Women With ADD - Symptoms and Diagnosis
For women who suffer from ADD, daily challenges continue until they reach adulthood. Women with ADD may have trouble meeting the needs of their families whether they dream in school or struggle to complete household chores. The symptoms are different for women and opposite to the more recognized signs in men, which means diagnosis and treatment can be a challenge.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADD are often unable to work and handle household chores. This is especially true when hormonal changes occur, such as menopausal, puberty, or PMS. Depression, while not a symptom of ADD is often a co-morbidity with the disorder and is often misdiagnosed by doctors who look for signs that are more typical of males. 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, such as waiting in line or on the phone can cause them to drift into distraction. undiagnosed adhd in women have problems with managing time, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating on tasks. They might also have a tendency to be irritable and sleep poorly. They are also susceptible to anxiety and depression, which is often misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder.
women and adhd
Since the symptoms of women with ADD are less recognized than the men's, it can be difficult to be diagnosed. Doctors tend to focus on the symptoms that are more common in boys, but overlook the subtleties related to the symptoms of ADD in girls. This is particularly relevant during menopausal cycles, puberty or perimenopausal, as well as PMS, which is when estrogen levels decrease. Depression also coexists with ADD in a lot of women and requires treatment. Before seeing your doctor, you should read a few books on ADD/ADHD to gain a better understanding of the condition and your personal symptoms. You will feel more confident and comfortable while going through the process of diagnosing.