Identifying Female ADD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADD are frequently depressed. This can lead to a incorrect diagnosis. Women who suffer from ADD are also more likely to become frustrated when waiting, whether waiting in line for customer service or waiting on hold.
ADD symptoms in females can fluctuate with hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, puberty, and in perimenopause and menopause. They may be disguised or worsened by estrogen and are less apparent in younger girls.
1. Inattentiveness
Women with inattentive ADD often have difficulty focusing on tasks, and are easily distracted by internal or external stimuli. Inattention ADD symptoms can also cause problems with time management and the inability to follow through on instructions. Women with ADD have a higher risk of developing depression than those without the disorder. However, the two disorders can coexist.
Parents and teachers might find it more difficult to diagnose adults with non-hyperactive ADD than children with hyperactive ADD because their symptoms tend to be less obvious. They may have trouble finishing homework or schoolwork and could be absent from important lectures and are unable to pay attention in meetings at work. Adults with disabilities may be unable to find an employment or maintaining their current one.
Inattentive ADD is more common for women and girls, in contrast to the hyperactive ADD seen more often in males and boys. Women and girls can be misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety when they reach puberty, or if they experience mood swings linked with PMS or perimenopausal. Doctors tend to look for more obvious behavioral characteristics of ADD in males, but do not be able to recognize these in girls or females especially during this period.
Women with inattentive ADD are more likely to become frustrated with their lack of concentration, which could cause anger or even frustration. These women are also more likely to feel anger and behave in ways that could hurt their relationships. For instance, if someone interrupts her while she is trying to complete an assignment, she could storm off and quit the room. Inability to remain focused on a task might even cause her to make impulsive mistakes later regretted.
3. Mood Swings
Ups and downs are a normal part of life. If your mood swings are intense, it can affect your daily activities. You might feel as if you are on an emotional rollercoaster. Extremely frequent and intense mood fluctuations can indicate an underlying mental health issue that requires treatment.
Mood swings occur the time when you suddenly shift from feeling cheerful, upbeat or positive to feeling depressed or angry within just a few minutes. These changes could be caused by a variety of causes such as diet and blood sugar fluctuation, sleep disturbances and stress. Certain medications and substances may also trigger mood changes.
If you are experiencing frequent and severe mood changes then it's time to talk to your physician. Depending on the cause various treatments can assist you in managing your symptoms, such as medication, psychotherapy or other lifestyle treatments.
Women often experience mood shifts up to two weeks prior to their period, as part of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). These symptoms include fatigue and changes in appetite. They can also cause constipation, depression and other discomforts. If you notice that your mood fluctuations are more intense during this time keep a detailed record to see if you can trace them back to the source. This will make you feel more confident in bringing them up to your doctor. It will also provide some validation for how you're feeling.
Altering your diet and getting more sleep can help decrease mood swings. If you're taking medication that triggers these symptoms, changing your dosage or trying a different drug could help ease the symptoms. Changes in mood can be a sign of a variety of medical and psychological disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder and depression.
4. Impulsivity
The term "impulsivity" refers to the tendency to make quick decisions without taking into account the consequences. A persistent pattern of impulse control problems can be an indication that you suffer from ADD or other conditions. For signs and symptoms of adhd in adults , someone who is impulsive may have difficulty saving money, spending more than they can afford to or reveal personal information without thinking about the impact. They might also have difficulty when it comes to activities that require careful planning, such as driving or working in the law enforcement field.
It's normal for children and teens to be impulsive, however it is not uncommon for adults as well. If you're experiencing problems with your job or relationships due to impulsive behavior, it's essential to seek medical assistance.
Many factors can trigger impulsive behavior. These include the brain's structure, genetics, chemical imbalances and environmental conditions. A background of emotional or physical trauma can be a contributing factor to the impulsive behavior, as could an individual in the family with mental illness. Certain medications can also increase the person's impulsiveness including antidepressants as well as stimulant drugs.
It's important to distinguish from compulsive and impulsive behaviors, which is a repetitive and ritualistic. For instance, checking if the oven is on or off is a compulsive behavior, while buying something at the whim of a is an impulsive act. Impulsiveness is a typical female ADD symptom, particularly during puberty, PMS, and during menopausal periods when estrogen levels decrease. Being withdrawn during conversations or struggling to finish tasks like laundry are signs of ADD in women. In certain instances women's impulsiveness and inattention can lead to being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder or depression which may be treated with the right medication.
5. Anxiety
It's perfectly normal to be nervous and worried at times, like when you're preparing to take an exam or public speaking event. However, if these feelings are frequent and intense, cause problems with your daily activities and last longer than reasonable, you may have an anxiety disorder. You may also experience physical symptoms such as a pounding heart or the sensation of choking or having a heart attack.
Women suffering from ADD can be particularly vulnerable to the emotional fluctuations that come with anxiety. They are often easily annoyed and irritable to minor aggravations. For example, a small mistake or being placed on hold for long periods of time could cause these women to become extremely angry. They may storm off or avoid a problem, or even abandon the task.
Anxiety is a natural reaction to danger or threat, and it's designed to prepare your body and mind to fight. When anxiety takes over it can cause people to become weak and weakened.
There are a myriad of treatment options for anxiety disorders, including therapy and medication. The type of therapy you receive is contingent on the cause. However both behavioral and cognitive approaches can help control your emotions and worries.
Get enough rest and eat healthy to reduce anxiety. Avoid stimulants and caffeine which can trigger mood swings. Exercise, particularly aerobic exercise at a brisk pace, triggers brain chemicals that decrease stress. Join a support group or call or visit friends. Being around other people can alleviate loneliness and ease anxiety. A therapist can teach you techniques to calm yourself through guided imagery or gradual exposure to uncomfortable situations.