Women With ADD - Symptoms and Diagnosis
Women who suffer from ADD face daily challenges well into adulthood. When adhd in adult women test has a tendency to daydream in school or has trouble managing household chores and responsibilities women with ADD often has a hard time meeting her family's needs. The symptoms of ADD for women differ from those seen in men. This can make diagnosing and treating difficult.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADD may find it difficult to maintain a job and handle household chores. This is especially true during hormonal changes such as puberty, menopause, or PMS. Depression, though not a sign of ADD is frequently associated with the disorder and is often incorrectly diagnosed by doctors looking for symptoms 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 for the phone cause them to fall into distraction. They also have trouble with managing their time, forgetfulness and difficulty focusing on tasks. They are also prone to flitting and may sleep poorly. They may be prone to depression and anxiety, which is often misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of women are less widely known than men's, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Doctors tend to focus on the symptoms that are more prevalent for boys, and overlook the subtleties that are related 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 can also be a co-occurring condition with ADD in a lot of women and must be treated. You will be able to better understand your symptoms and the underlying condition by reading a few books on ADHD/ADD before visiting an expert. You will feel more comfortable and confident when you are going through the diagnostic process.