Women With ADD - Symptoms and Diagnosis
Women who suffer from ADD have to deal with daily challenges into adulthood. Whether she daydreams in class or has trouble keeping up with household chores and obligations women with ADD often has difficulty meeting her family's needs. The symptoms of ADD in women differ from the symptoms seen in males. This makes diagnosis and treatment difficult.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADD can find it difficult to work and handle household chores. This is especially true during hormonal changes such as menopausal changes, puberty or PMS. Depression, while not a symptom of ADD, frequently coexists with the disorder and is often misdiagnosed by doctors who look for signs more common to 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 on the phone drive them to distraction. adhd traits in women have trouble with managing time, forgetfulness, and trouble concentrating on tasks. They may have a tendency to be irritable and sleep poor. They may be prone anxiety and depression that are often misdiagnosed as bipolar disorders.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of women are less well-known than those of men, making it difficult to identify. Doctors tend to concentrate on the symptoms that are more common in boys, but overlook the subtleties related to ADD in girls. This is particularly relevant during menopausal cycles, puberty and perimenopausal periods, as well as PMS when estrogen levels drop. Depression can also be a co-occurring condition with ADD in many women and requires treatment. You can better understand your symptoms and the condition by reading a few books on ADHD/ADD before visiting a doctor. You will be more comfortable and confident throughout the process of diagnosing.