Signs of ADD in Adult Women
Women who suffer from ADD might be frustrated by their inability to organize and plan particularly as they move through life. They often think about their daydreams or behave impulsively. Minor inconveniences can make them angry.
Making a correct diagnosis and treatment for adults with ADHD is difficult because many women do not exhibit all of the typical symptoms. However, there are a few indicators of ADD in women of adulthood that you should be looking for.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women who struggle to focus can lose their place often in books or forget to make appointments. They may also find themselves changing the subject of conversation often, or procrastinate. The problem is that these behaviors are often viewed as normal due to the stress of everyday life such as ageing parents, a demanding job and many other factors. They could be signs of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) which is a well-known disorder.
Adults suffering from ADHD are unable to stay focused or remembering important things. This can cause issues in the workplace, at school, and at home. It also increases anxiety, which is already common among women with ADHD. Women who struggle to concentrate can easily become distracted by daydreaming, or absorbed in their thoughts. They may even get stuck on something for hours, days or longer--often a topic they find interesting or gratifying--and become unable to break free of it.
Many women who suffer from ADD are also prone to be impulsive, and they aren't able to manage themselves. They often act or speak without thinking and can cause issues. They tend to interrupt other women during conversations, to blurt things out that they regret and to take greater sexual risk than other women.
Women should be aware of these issues aren't just a part of aging, or a menopause side effect. They can result in depression, anxiety, bad relationships, and low self-esteem. The diagnosis and treatment, which usually includes medication and therapy, can make a difference at home as well as at work.
2. Uncontrollable mood swings
While ups and downs in mood are normal aspects of life, occasionally they can become extreme and disruptive. Mood swings can be difficult to control and can impact your relationships, work performance and ability to complete daily tasks. These mood swings could be a sign of mental illness, such as Bipolar or borderline personality disorder. The mood swings could be caused by certain medications like mood stabilizers or antidepressants. Other causes of mood changes are nutritional issues (such as malnutrition or blood sugar spikes), stress, and environmental factors, like the weather.
Women may have mood swings as a result of premenstrual disorder, also known as premenstrual dysfunction (PMDD), and hormonal changes during puberty. In reality, ADD symptoms often worsen during these times due to hormonal changes.
If you're experiencing mood swings that are frequent or rapid, or impact your daily routine, speak to your doctor about it. It is possible to treat mood disorders, but you'll have to see an expert.
Women are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety in conjunction with ADD. This can increase mood swings. These moods can sometimes cause suicidal behavior or thoughts. Recognizing these signs early on will allow you to receive the treatment and support you need.
3. Irritability
Irritability is a significant problem in both your relationships and your job. It is possible to experience irritability if you are short with your partner, or are easily annoyed by colleagues. The stress of being angry can make you frustrated and angry over minor things. By taking undiagnosed adhd in women to reduce your irritability, you can boost your mood as well as your overall health.
Studies have proven that irritability can be linked to depression and other mood disorders. It can also cause depression and anxiety. The Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, a trait measure of hostility, contains an Irritability scale. Other measures of irritability exist, including the Irritability, Anger and Hostility Scale and the Anger, Irritability and Assault Questionnaire.
If you're prone to feeling stressed, speak to your doctor. They can assist in determining the root cause of your problem and provide treatment options.
A doctor can request urine or blood tests to determine the levels of your hormones and check for diabetes or other issues that could be causing your irritability. They may also refer you to an expert in mental health for therapy, or prescribe medication to control your mood.
Certain people might experience a period of being more irritable than usual because of an infection caused by a virus or bacteria. Young children often appear more irritable when they have an illness. This tends to disappear quickly as they recover. Irritability can also occur in women due to the normal physiology of the menstrual cycle or because of an illness like pregnancy, illness or injury.
The irritability test developed by Stringaris and Goodman includes five items that assess core symptoms domains (annoyance anger tension hostile behavior and sensitivity). The Self-Rating Scale (SRS) and Observer Rating Scale (ORS) show good test-retest and inter-rater reliability.
4. You can easily be distracted
Women suffering from ADD typically have difficulty managing their daily activities and tasks. They may miss appointments or other obligations, be forgetful of important events, and have difficulty following instructions. They can also get lost in their thoughts, or daydream often during boring and uninteresting tasks. They may be compelled to keep tabs on news sites or social media feeds or lose track of the time while working on a project or task.
Women may be afflicted by impulsivity, which manifests as acting or speaking without thinking and can lead to financial problems, a chaotic home, and problems in relationships. They might jump into projects and relationships with a vengeance and then regret their choices later on, or feel too thin with a myriad of tasks and goals.
These symptoms are most prominent during menstrual cycles, when hormone levels decrease and progesterone increases. This can worsen ADHD symptoms for women who are already experiencing hormonal changes. This is why it's essential for women to recognize and deal with their ADHD symptoms so that they can live the life they deserve. A diagnosis of ADD/ADHD may help them overcome their challenges.
5. Impulsivity
Every person makes impulsive decisions, whether it's getting a dramatic haircut or snapping at your partner. If impulsive behavior turns into a routine or a persistent issue it could be an indication that you need to seek help.
Uncontrolled impulses can harm relationships as well as finances and self-esteem. It's especially difficult to manage in adulthood, when life is already incredibly busy and complex. Bills are not paid, deadlines are missed at work and impulsive remarks alienate friends. And, even more troubling an impulsive attitude can lead to negative and dangerous consequences like driving while drowsy or taking illegal drugs.
Skinner says that for counselors the first thing to do is determine if impulse control is a real problem or is a symptom of another problem like anxiety or substance abuse. Skinner encourages clients to talk about their feelings and the ways they cope with these feelings, and to consider where, when and why they are an impulsive.
She also reminds her clients that impulsive behavior is often tied to certain emotions, like anger and frustration. "If your impulsive behavior gets you in trouble - and it does for many people - then it's time to change your attitude," she says.
Another common sign of impulsivity is overspending and compulsive behaviors, such as shopping or binge-watching reality shows. It's important to note that impulsive and compulsive are not the same thing, though. While impulsive behaviors are typically associated with emotions, like anger or frustration, compulsive behaviours tend to be a result of an addiction or obsession. It's also important to distinguish between the two since they have different treatments and are treated differently by mental health professionals. For instance, a person might be diagnosed with compulsive disorder and still require treatment for their ADHD.