Adult ADD in Women
Adult ADD is not always recognized in women due to the fact that the symptoms may be different than those in males. mood swings, impulsivity, and difficulty in coping with anger cause many women with ADD to be misdiagnosed as having depression or bipolar disorder.
The signs of add in mature women are sometimes masked by PMS and exacerbated when menopausal and perimenopausal.
Mood Swings
Mood swings are defined as rapid changes in feelings over a short time. They can create problems for relationships as well as job performance and household chores. Most often, mood disorders manifest with physical symptoms such as stomach or headaches which can lead to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. For example chronic stomach pain could be treated with medication while depression or anxiety are not addressed. Bipolar disorder is also characterised by mood swings. The symptoms of this disorder include feeling content and happy one moment, and then anger or irritated over some minor issue the next.
Impatience
Women with ADD typically exhibit the opposite symptoms of the more common ADD in men, which makes it difficult to obtain a proper diagnosis. Women with ADD may find it difficult to stay focused on tasks due to mood swings such as being extremely emotional or annoyed. They could be misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder. The tendency to be impulsive is also common among women suffering from ADD. Small inconveniences like waiting in line or being placed on hold can cause women with ADD to become angry.
Hyperactivity can be a symptom that causes women to run at full speed until they crash. This can affect their family life, work and other activities. Women who suffer from ADD have a personality that is hypoactive and lack the energy to accomplish the tasks they must do each day. They may struggle to care for their children, manage their home, or keep in contact with their friends. This kind of ADD can make it difficult to stay in a relationship, or find a new job, which can be frustrating for both the woman and her partner. Impatience can be treated with the appropriate therapy.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of discomfort that alerts you to the possibility of danger. It's the physical and mental state of fear, and it can come in a variety of forms. It can be a continuous feeling of tension, or a specific anxiety disorder, phobia or obsessive compulsive disorder. It can manifest as a feeling that you are constantly stressed and anxious or accompanied by difficulty sleeping or concentration or even tension in your muscles.
Anxiety is a normal part of life and healthy. It can help you prepare for new situations or challenges, and it can even be productive. When anxiety becomes chronic or overt, it can interfere in daily life. This is what makes anxiety disorders.
There are many types of anxiety disorders, which include panic disorder (recurring episodes of fear), phobias (excessive fears about particular objects or experiences) and obsessive-compulsive disorders (abnormal thoughts that trigger repetitive behaviors). Anxiety disorders can also include separation anxiety disorder (fear of being away from family or home members), social anxiety disorder (overwhelming anxiety about everyday social situations) and selective mutatism (a fear of speaking in public).
It's not known exactly what causes anxiety disorders However, there are some risk factors. They can include the genetics of the person, childhood experiences, and parenting practices such as overprotection. They may also be triggered by trauma and stress, such as the death of a loved ones or abuse.
Anxiety issues can be treated through psychotherapy (counseling) and medications. There are a variety of lifestyle changes that can help reduce anxiety. These include cutting down on caffeine, which can trigger symptoms; regularly exercising (especially running), which releases brain chemicals that reduce stress and sleep. In addition, eating a healthy diet and avoiding substances that cause anxiety to worsen -- including alcohol and recreational street drugs are essential. Talking to a therapist that is trained in anxiety treatment can be extremely beneficial. They can help you learn meditation and relaxation techniques and assist you in learning methods to calm yourself when you feel anxious. They can assist you in finding support networks to help you cope.
Depression
Many people feel low and sad at times. The death of a loved one or being fired from a job or divorce are all common causes. If these feelings last they could be an indication of depression (major-depressive disorder). It is characterized by feeling depressed or empty, as well as irritable. They might also have difficulty getting their thoughts or concentration right, experience a decreased appetite, sleep more or less than usual, or lose interest in activities they previous ly enjoyed. Depression can affect both men and women, although it can appear at various times in the life of a woman, such as during pregnancy or following childbirth. Bipolar disorder sufferers can also suffer from depression, which is often mixed with episodes that are marked by increased energy and a feeling of "being at the top of your game."
Treatment for depression involves psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Talk therapy can help you understand how to change unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Antidepressants, for instance can aid in resolving the chemical imbalance within your brain that leads to depression. It may take a while before the medication begins working. In addition, it is important to be with other people and find a support group and to stay clear of alcohol and other drugs.