Women With ADD - Symptoms and Diagnosis
Women with ADD have to deal with daily challenges into adulthood. Whether she daydreams at school or has difficulty managing household chores and responsibilities women with ADD often has a hard time meeting the needs of her family. Symptoms are different for women and opposite to the more common signs in men, which means the diagnosis and treatment process can be difficult.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADD might find it difficult to maintain a job or manage household chores, particularly during times of hormonal changes like puberty, PMS and perimenopause. Depression is not a symptom however, it is often associated with ADD and is misdiagnosed when 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, such as waiting in lines or on the phone, can drive them to distraction. They also struggle with time management, forgetfulness and trouble concentrating on tasks. They may have a tendency to fumble and sleep poor. adhd in women adults may be prone to anxiety and depression, which is often mistakenly diagnosed as bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Since women's symptoms of ADD are less recognized than those of men and therefore, it can be difficult to diagnose. Doctors typically look for certain symptoms that are more typical of males and do not recognize the subtleties of the disorder as it affects girls, especially during puberty, PMS or perimenopause and menopause when estrogen levels decrease. Depression is also a common occurrence in women suffering from ADD and needs to be treated. Before seeing your doctor, you should read a few books on ADHD and ADD to gain a greater understanding of the condition and your own symptoms. You will feel more comfortable and confident during the diagnostic process.