Women With ADD - Symptoms and Diagnosis
For women with ADD their daily struggles continue until they reach adulthood. Women who suffer from ADD might have difficulty meeting the needs of their families regardless of whether they are a bit distracted in school or struggle to manage household chores. The symptoms of ADD in women are different and opposite from the symptoms seen in males. This makes diagnosis and treatment difficult.
Symptoms
Women with ADD may have difficulty to find a job or manage household chores, particularly during times of hormonal changes like puberty, menopausal and PMS. Depression is not a symptom but it can be a co-symptom with ADD and is misdiagnosed when 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 waiting in line or waiting on the phone cause them to fall into distraction. They also struggle with managing their time, forgetfulness and difficulty focusing on tasks. They are often fidgety and have trouble sleeping. They might be at risk of developing depression and anxiety which are often misdiagnosed bipolar disorder.
Home
Since the symptoms of women with ADD are not as well-known as those of men and therefore, it can be difficult to be diagnosed. Doctors tend to concentrate on certain symptoms that are more prevalent in boys, and miss the subtleties that are related to the symptoms of ADD in girls. This is especially relevant during menopausal cycles, puberty or perimenopausal, as well as PMS, which is when estrogen levels decrease. Depression is also common in women suffering from ADD and needs to be treated. Before visiting a doctor, go through a few books about ADHD and ADD to gain a greater understanding of the condition and your personal symptoms. You will feel more confident and relaxed when you are going through the diagnostic process.