Women With ADD - Symptoms and Diagnosis
For women who suffer from ADD the daily challenges endure throughout adulthood. If she is a dreamer in class or has trouble keeping up with household chores and responsibilities, a woman with ADD often has difficulty meeting her family's needs. The symptoms of ADD for women are different and opposite from the symptoms seen in males. This can make diagnosis and treatment difficult.
Signs and symptoms
Women with ADD are often unable to maintain a job and handle household chores. iampsychiatry.uk is especially the case during hormonal changes like menopausal changes, puberty or PMS. Depression is not a sign of 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. Small irritations, like waiting in line or on the phone could lead them to distraction. They also have problems with time management, forgetfulness, and trouble focusing on tasks. They are also prone to flitting and may sleep poorly. They might be at risk of developing depression and anxiety which are often misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Since the symptoms of women with ADD are not as well-known as those of men and therefore, it can be difficult to diagnose. Doctors usually look for a specific set of symptoms more typical of boys and don't recognize the subtleties of the disorder because it is affecting girls, particularly during puberty, PMS, or perimenopause and menopause when estrogen levels drop. Depression also coexists with ADD in many women and needs to be treated. Before seeing an ophthalmologist, go through a few books about ADHD/ADD to gain a better understanding of the condition and your own symptoms. You will feel more comfortable and confident while going through the process of diagnosing.