Women With ADD - Symptoms and Diagnosis
Women who suffer from ADD have to deal with daily challenges into adulthood. Whether she daydreams in school or has trouble maintaining household chores and responsibilities women with ADD often struggles to meet the needs of her family. The symptoms of ADD for women are different and opposite to those seen in men. add adult women makes diagnosis and treatment difficult.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADD may find it difficult to find a job or manage household chores, especially during periods 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 typical of men. Women with the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADD are impatient visibly or internally, jump into activities without thinking and speak and act impulsively. Small irritations, like waiting in line or on the phone, can drive them to the point of distraction. They also have issues with time management, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating on tasks. They are prone to fidgeting and may sleep poorly. They could be susceptible to depression and anxiety which are often misdiagnosed bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of women are less widely known than those of men, making it difficult to diagnose. Doctors usually look for certain symptoms that are more common in boys and do not recognize the subtleties of the disorder because it is affecting girls, particularly during puberty, PMS or perimenopausal and menopausal estrogen levels drop. Depression is also common among women with ADD and must be treated. You can better understand the symptoms and the nature of the disorder by reading a few books about ADD/ADHD prior to seeing an expert. You will feel more comfortable and confident when you are going through the process of diagnosing.