Women With ADD Don't Get Proper Diagnosis and Treatment
Women who suffer from ADD are often misdiagnosed and treated since doctors fail to recognize or understand the signs. For example, a woman suffering from ADD might experience extreme mood swings and be incorrectly identified as bipolar. She may also be impatient even with the simplest tasks like waiting in lines or on the phone, causing her to become angry and annoyed.
Disorganization
People who are unorganized have a hard time maintaining a neat, tidy life. They often have a difficult finding things that they need, and are always late. They cannot seem to keep their schedules, thoughts or work in order. This issue can strain relationships, create stress levels and cause a decline in productivity.
In addition, it can cause financial problems when you miss payments or are having difficulty paying your debts. People who suffer from chronic disorganization may require therapeutic interventions to devise long-lasting strategies to organize. In contrast, situational disorganization is a temporary condition that usually occurs after certain life events, like an illness, loss of a loved one, or moving.
Impulsiveness
The tendency to act in an impulsive manner is one of the signs of ADHD. This can be as simple as making a comment on the spur of the moment, purchasing something on the spur of the moment or taking risks without weighing the consequences. People with ADHD are also more prone to spending too much or have financial issues. They might also have issues with emotional issues such as anger management.
It is important to remember that impulsiveness does not mean the same as being rude or lacking self-control. It's a sign of the way our brain is wired. It can affect every aspect of your life, however it can be particularly challenging at work and in relationships. Certain impulsive behavior like interrupting other people or talking excessively, can make friends and colleagues uncomfortable. Others, like the tendency to shop or indulge in risky activities, could cause negative consequences, such as financial issues and credit card debt.
Researchers and psychiatrists have tried to define impulsivity, but not one definition has emerged. However, they agree that impulsive behavior reflects a lack of inhibitory control and a reluctance to delay to reward. It's also a symptom of certain mental disorders like antisocial personality disorder or pyromania.
There are a myriad of methods, treatments and medications that can help control impulsivity, whether caused by ADHD, or another condition. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one example, can help a person with ADHD understand how their thoughts and emotions influence their behavior. The use of medications such as antidepressants and stimulants can also help.
To reduce impulsiveness, try to practice mindfulness and self-awareness. Be aware of the times you are most likely to act impulsively, and find ways to derail those moments. For instance, if tend to blurt out comments in meetings or text messages, carry your notebook along so that you can jot down your responses first. Then you can read them before hitting "send."
Mood Swings
A person suffering from a mood disorder experiences extreme changes in their emotional state. The mood swings can be so extreme that they impact the quality of life of both the person and those around her. She might be happy and content for a moment, then become overwhelmed with unproportional anger at a slight trigger the next. These shifts can occur within a matter of minutes, or they can last for weeks. The most frequent kinds of mood disorders are bipolar disorder and depression.
A woman with ADHD experiencing premenstrual mood swings described being "brainfog," forgetful, unstable, and chaotic. She would get frustrated easily and be irritable to environmental triggers such as smells, lighting and sounds, and feel more irritability during her menstrual week.
Mood fluctuations are normal however if they become frequently occurring they could be a sign of an underlying health condition that can be treated. Anyone who experiences mood swings should seek help. The mood swings can affect relationships, work and overall wellbeing. People who have lots of energy, but feel tired should also be examined by a physician.
Hyperactivity or hypoactivity
Women with ADD may be on either end of the spectrum. Some are extremely active and run at full speed until they crash from overload. They are often late for appointments, fail to complete tasks and forget to pay bills. They may also speak out of the blue or interrupt others, or even say things that they regret.
Other ADD women are inactive and do not have the energy to handle the demands of life. They are unable to sit still and need to move around frequently. In line or on the phone for long periods drives them nuts. Small inconveniences, like getting stuck behind slow drivers or waiting for children to finish school, can cause significant disturbance.
Depression, which is more common in ADD women than men, coexists with or is an outcome of the debilitating disorder. It can cause low self-esteem as well as a feeling of helplessness about being unable to cope with the demands of daily life or care for the family.
Here are a few of the ways to reduce your risk:
Women with ADD tend to be depressed. They may feel guilty or unimportant or lose interest in things they usually enjoy. They may think about suicide or death more than usual and may have difficulty sleeping. They may have physical symptoms, such as tight chest or stomach problems or chronic headaches. Women who suffer from ADD are more at risk of depression than men, but many don't seek treatment due to being unaware of the symptoms or don't believe they're down about. Men may also be depressed, but are more likely to display other signs of depression, such as anger or frustration. They are also more likely to use alcohol and other drugs.
Symptoms of depression can include feeling depressed or sad all day long, having little energy or feeling empty and contemplating death or suicide. They may also have difficulty recalling, concentrating or making decisions. They may be irritable or angry easily and have little energy. They may become anxious and uneasy, or take in too much food or rest too much. Depression affects men and women differently. It may also occur with other ailments like eating disorders, anxiety disorders and chronic back pain and heart disease.
Ask your loved ones to seek assistance. Explain that depression is generally an illness that is medical and will improve with treatment. Invite undiagnosed adhd in women to their first appointment to see a mental health professional or health care professional if they are hesitant to seek treatment. Make sure they adhere to the prescribed medication even if they do not feel better immediately. Encourage them to join a group of others who have experienced similar things.