Signs of ADD in Adult Women
Women with ADD might be frustrated with their inability to organize and plan especially when they move through their lives. These women tend to daydream or make impulsive decisions. Small inconveniences can cause them to become angry.
Finding a reliable diagnosis and treatment for adult ADHD is difficult because many women don't have all the typical symptoms. There are indicators of ADD that women who are adults must be aware of.
1. Trouble focusing
Women who have difficulty focusing may lose their place frequently in a book or forget appointments. They may also be prone to changing the topic of conversation often or putting off work. These tendencies are often interpreted for normal behavior due to stress, aging parents or a busy work schedule. They could be a sign of a common disorder called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The most prominent sign of ADHD for adults is having trouble staying on task or remembering things. This issue can cause issues at home, work and school, and also increases the anxiety already prevalent in women with ADHD. Women who struggle to concentrate can easily become distracted by daydreaming, or losing themselves in their thoughts. They may even get stuck on something for days, hours or even weeks--often on a subject they find interesting or gratifying--and become unable to break free of it.
Many women who suffer from ADD also tend to be impulsive and they can't control themselves. They tend to behave or speak without thinking, which can lead to problems. They tend to interrupt other women during conversations, to blurt out things out that they regret, and to take more sexual risks than other women.
Women need to be aware that these issues aren't just a part of aging, or a menopausal side effect. They can lead to depression, anxiety, bad relationships, and low self-esteem. The diagnosis and treatment, which typically includes medication and therapy, can make a difference at home and at work.
2. Uncontrollable Moody Swings
Although mood swings are normal part of life, they can also be disruptive and extreme. The fluctuations in mood are difficult to manage and may affect your relationships, performance at work and your ability to finish everyday tasks. Mood fluctuations can also be a sign of mental illness, like borderline personality disorder or Bipolar disorder. Mood swings may also be caused by certain medications like mood stabilizers and antidepressants. Other reasons for mood changes are nutritional issues (such as malnourishment or blood sugar spikes), stress, and environmental factors like the weather.
Women may experience mood fluctuations due to premenstrual disorder or premenstrual dysfunction (PMDD) and hormone changes during puberty. In fact, ADD symptoms often worsen in these periods due to hormonal changes.
If you're experiencing mood fluctuations that are frequent, rapid or impact your daily routine, talk to your doctor about it. It is possible to treat mood disorders, but you will have to see an expert.
Women are more likely than men to suffer from a coexisting depression or anxiety due to ADD and ADD, which can make their mood swings more intense. These mood swings can result in suicidal behaviour or thoughts of suicide. Early recognition of these signs can help you get the treatment and help you require.
3. Irritability
Irritability is a problem that can impact your personal life and job. You might suffer from anger if you're not able to communicate with your partner, or easily annoyed by colleagues. It can also cause you to be angry and annoyed over small things. Taking steps to overcome your anger can improve your mood and overall health.
Research has shown that irritability is related to depression and other mood disorders. It is also a contributing factor to anxiety and depressive symptoms. The Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) is a trait-based measure of hostility, includes an Irritability subscale. A variety of other measures of irritability exist, including the Irritability, Anger and Hostility Scale as well as the Anger, Irritability and Assault Questionnaire.
If you're experiencing symptoms of stressed, speak to your doctor. They can assist in determining the root cause of your problem and provide treatment options.
A doctor may order urine or blood tests to assess your hormone levels and to determine if you have diabetes or other health conditions that may cause your irritability. They can also refer to an expert in mental health treatment or prescribe medication to help control your mood.
Some people may go through an episode of being more angry than usual due to a viral or bacterial infection. Children who have a cold are often more irritable but it usually goes away as soon as they recover. Women who are prone to irritability could be due to the normal physiology involved with menstrual cycles or a medical condition such as illness, pregnancy or injury.
The irritability scale created by Stringaris and Goodman includes five items that assess the main symptom domains that cause irritation (annoyance tension, anger, hostile behaviour and sensitivity). The Self-Rating Scale and Observer Rating Scale show evidence of internal consistency, with high test-retest accuracy and interrater reliability.
4. You can easily be distracted
Women with ADD are unable to complete daily tasks. They may miss important dates, forget appointments, or have difficulty following directions. They can also get lost in their thoughts, or daydream excessively during boring and unstimulating tasks. They may find themselves constantly checking social media or news feeds or lose track of time while working on a chore or project.
Women may struggle with an impulsive nature. This can manifest in the form of speaking or acting without thinking. It could also result in financial problems as well as a messy house and issues with relationships. They might take on projects and relationships at the fullest and then regret their choices later or feel too thin by the many obligations and goals.
These symptoms are especially evident during menstrual cycle, when estrogen decreases and progesterone levels increase. This can increase ADHD symptoms for women who are already experiencing hormonal fluctuation. It's important that women recognize and deal with their ADHD symptoms to enjoy the life they desire. A diagnosis of ADD/ADHD could help them overcome these challenges.
5. Impulsivity
Everyone makes impulsive decisions whether it's getting that dramatic haircut or snapping at your spouse. However, if impulsive behavior becomes an ongoing issue, it could be a sign that you need to seek help.
Poor impulse control can damage relationships, finances, and self-esteem. It's particularly difficult to control in adulthood when life is already hectic and complex. Bills are not paid, deadlines are missed at work and unintentional remarks can cause a rift with friends. Even worse an impulsive attitude can lead to negative and dangerous consequences, such as driving while drowsy or taking illegal drugs.
For counselors, Skinner says, the first step is to determine whether the issue of impulse control is a genuine problem or a sign of something else, such as anxiety or substance use. She encourages clients to talk about their feelings and how they manage them, and to think about where, when and why they're impulsive.
She also reminds her clients that impulsive behavior is usually related to certain emotions, like anger and frustration. "If adhd in women adult get you in trouble -- and they do for many people, then it's time to take steps to change your attitude," she adds.
Compulsive and overspending behavior like binge-watching reality TV or shopping, are typical indications of an impulsive nature. But it's important to know that impulsiveness and compulsiveness aren't the same thing. While impulsive behaviors are often linked to emotions, such as anger or frustration, compulsive behavior tend to be a result of an addiction or an obsession. It's important to differentiate between the two because they are treated differently and are treated differently by mental health professionals. For instance, a patient may be diagnosed with compulsive disorder but still need to seek treatment for their ADHD.