Identifying Female ADD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADD often suffer from depression. This could lead to a misdiagnosis. Women who suffer from ADD are also more likely to become annoyed when waiting, whether in line for customer service or while standing on hold.
ADD symptoms can change with hormonal changes in females during puberty, menstrual cycle, and perimenopause or menopause. They can also be covered by estrogen and be less obvious in younger girls.
1. Inattentiveness
Women suffering from inattention ADD typically have difficulty focusing on tasks, and are easily distracted by internal or external stimuli. Inattentive ADD can also cause problems with time management, and the inability to follow the instructions. Women who suffer from ADD are also more likely to develop depression than those who don't have the disorder, but both conditions can coexist.
Parents and teachers may find it more difficult to recognize adults suffering from non-hyperactive ADD than children with hyperactive ADD because their symptoms are less obvious. They may have difficulty finishing homework or schoolwork and might be absent from important lectures as well as being incapable of paying attention to meetings at work. These adults may also have a difficult time finding an employment or maintaining their current one.
Inattention ADD affects more females and girls than males. The girls and women with it are often misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression when they reach puberty, or if they experience mood swings that are associated with PMS or perimenopause. This is because doctors look for the more obvious behavioral traits of ADD in boys, but don't recognize them in girls and women, especially during these times.
Women who are inattentive ADD may become frustrated with their lack of focus. This can result in anger and frustration. These women are also more likely to feel anger and behave in ways that could hurt their relationships. If someone interrupts her when she is completing a task, for example she might scream out of the room. Her inability to stay focused on a task might even cause her to make careless mistakes that she regrets later.
3. Mood Swings
Ups and downs are a normal part of life. But if your mood shifts are extreme, they can affect your daily routine and make you feel like you're riding an emotional rollercoaster. Frequent and severe mood swings could be a sign of a mental health problem.
Mood swings are the time when you suddenly shift from feeling happy, upbeat or positive to feeling depressed or angry within an hour. These changes can be triggered by a variety of causes that include diet, blood sugar fluctuations, sleep disturbances, and stress. Mood changes can also be a side effect of certain medications and other substances.
If you are experiencing frequent and severe mood changes you should consult your doctor. According to the reason, a variety of treatments can aid in managing your symptoms, including medication, psychotherapy or other lifestyle therapies.
Women often experience mood shifts between 1 and 2 weeks prior to their periods as part of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). These symptoms include fatigue, changes in appetite as well as depression, bloating, and other discomforts. If you notice that your mood swings are more severe during this time you should keep a detailed journal to determine if you are able to track them to their source. This will help you feel more confident about taking them to your doctor and can give you some confirmation of how you're feeling.
Change add symptoms in adults , getting more sleep and exercising as well as practicing relaxation techniques can all help reduce mood swings. If you're taking a medications that cause these symptoms, adjusting the dosage or experimenting with a different drug may help ease your symptoms. The fluctuation in mood can be the result of a variety of mental and medical disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) as well as bipolar disorder, and depression.
4. Impulsivity
The term "impulsivity" refers to the tendency to make quick decisions without taking into account the consequences. An ongoing pattern of issues with impulse control could be a sign that you have ADD or other conditions. For example, a person who is impulsive might have trouble saving money, or spend more than they are able to, or disclose personal information without considering the consequences. They may also have issues with activities requiring careful planning, such as driving or working in the law enforcement field.
A certain amount of impulsivity is natural in teens and children, but it's not uncommon for adults to suffer from this symptom too. If you're having problems in your relationships or at work due to impulsive behavior, it's important that you seek medical help.
Many factors can contribute to an impulsive behaviour. This includes the brain's structure, genetics, chemical imbalances and environmental conditions. A background of emotional trauma or distress can trigger impulsive behaviors, as can an individual in the family with mental illness. Certain medications can also contribute to a person's impulsiveness including antidepressants as well as stimulant drugs.
It's important to distinguish impulsive behavior and compulsive behavior that is repetitive and ritualistic. Compulsive behavior, like checking the oven over and over again, are compulsive, while impulse-driven behaviors, like purchasing something on impulse, are impulse-driven. Impulsiveness is a common female ADD sign that is quite common particularly for girls experiencing PMS or puberty as well as during menopausal cycles, when estrogen levels start to decrease. Being withdrawn during conversations or unable to finish tasks like laundry are signs of ADD in women. In certain cases, women's impulsiveness or inattention could lead to them being mistakenly diagnosed as having bipolar disorder or depression. This disorder can be treated with the proper medication.
5. Anxiety
It's normal to be anxious or worried from time moment, for instance, when you're preparing for a public speaking event or test. However, if these feelings are frequently and severe, interfere with your daily routine and last longer than what's normal, you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder. You might also experience physical symptoms, like an accelerating heartbeat or the sensation that you're choking or having an attack on your heart.
Women who suffer from ADD are especially susceptible to the emotional swings and downs that are associated with anxiety. They can be easily frustrated and are extremely sensitive to minor irritations. They can be extremely angry over a small error or being held for a long time. They might flee or avoid a problem, or even quit the job.
Anxiety is a natural response to threat or danger that is designed to prepare the body and mind for battle. When anxiety is a major factor it can leave people weak and weakened.
Treatment options for anxiety disorders include therapy and medication. The type of therapy depends on the cause, but both behavioral and cognitive approaches can aid you in reducing your anxieties and emotions.
Get enough rest and eat healthy to decrease anxiety. Avoid stimulants and caffeine which can cause mood swings. Exercise, especially aerobic exercise done at a rapid pace, triggers brain chemicals which reduce stress. Join an online support group or contact friends in person or over the phone. Being with others can reduce anxiety and help to alleviate loneliness. A therapist can show you techniques to calm yourself, such as guided imagery or gradual exposure to situations that make you uncomfortable.