Adult Female ADD Symptoms
Women with ADD can be affected by many symptoms. Some women who have ADD are hyperactive while others are hypoactive. Women who suffer from ADD often have difficulty managing their daily tasks, such as cleaning the house, taking care of their children or taking part in family gatherings.
Another symptom that is common is a difficulty remembering names. This condition can get worse before, during, and after menopausal changes.
1. Inability to Focus
A lack of focus could be a sign of various mental health issues. If you find yourself in a state of mind where you are unable to complete tasks, make poor choices or overlook important information at home or at work it's time to seek assistance. Most of the time, these issues are the result of the effects of medication or stress or other causes that require attention. They may also be a sign of conditions that are underlying, like ADHD.
Women suffering from ADD tend to lose their focus rapidly. They may daydream or have trouble completing regular chores such as grocery shopping and washing clothes. They may also be prone to make erroneous mistakes or lose items often, which could result in an unclean office, cluttered home, or lost work supplies. They are also prone to being impulsive, making poor choices which could have serious consequences. For example they may be addicted to drugs or engage in risky sexual activities.
They could also be hypoactive or hyperactive. A woman who is hyperactive may run until she collapses from exhaustion whereas a person who is hypoactive may not have the energy required to get through the day. In adhd signs in adults may have difficulty maintaining relationships or keeping up with family activities or meeting professional obligations.
Women with ADD typically have a high-functioning symptoms. This isn't a medical diagnosis but describes how they manage their symptoms. They may have difficulties with concentration but they don't impact their lives as much. If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse, it is an ideal idea to talk to your doctor. They can help you understand the causes behind your symptom and recommend treatments.
2. Mood Swings
Often, women with ADD are more prone to mood swings. They might be frustrated at the slightest aggravation, become easily irritated and then storm off in anger or give up and end the project. They also tend to be more impulsive and engage in things with all their might instead of taking it slowly and steadily and can result in relationships or financial issues. These emotional symptoms could be misdiagnosed, but often they are co-existing with ADD. Mood swings can get worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or the perimenopausal phase. ADD can make it difficult to keep the workplace, which could also contribute to depression-related feelings.
3. Distractions
Women with ADD are easily distracted by the things that happen around them, as well as their own thoughts. They can lose themselves in a daydream or have trouble focusing on things like grocery shopping due to the multitude of options. They might find that simple tasks require them to concentrate on a single idea and then become frustrated when their focus is diverted.
Mood swings are also common among women with ADD as they experience the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the disorder. They are often frustrated by minor problems and often blame themselves for their shortcomings. The impulsive nature of their behavior can cause problems in relationships, work and school. These mood swings can result in a misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder. This is especially the case because many women with ADD also suffer from depression.
4. Irritability
Irritability is often a indicator of an underlying mental illness. It could also be due to a physical issue like hormonal imbalances, insufficient sleep or food intolerance.
A person who is experiencing irritability may be tense or anxious with a quick temper and easily getting annoyed or angered. It can cause a lack of patience or anger, which could cause them to lash out at people who haven't committed any wrongdoing. It can also affect someone's mood and make them more vulnerable to depression or anxiety symptoms.
Irritation is a mood of partial physiological agitation that results from a greater sense of sensory stimuli, a non-cognitively controlled lowered threshold of responding to typically less vexing situations with anger or aggression, and a higher likelihood of outbursts of angry behavior (Digiuseppe Tafrate and Digiuseppe 2007). Irritability is often triggered by hunger, fatigue, poor sleep, or pain. It could be a symptom of hormonal changes, like those experienced during the premenstrual (PMS) syndrome.
In one study, researchers surveyed 287 college students about their levels anxiety and psychiatric signs. Researchers found that those with severe irritability also suffered more mental health issues than those who didn't. They also reported having more difficulty getting through their day than those who did not suffer from an episode of irritability.
Try relaxation techniques to reduce your anxiety. You can find a quiet space to practice breathing exercises, listen to music, or simply take a bath away from the noise and chaos of a crowded environment. Self-care that is focused on your physical and mental needs can help you relax your body and ease the stress you feel.
5. Depression
Depression is a constant low mood that can affect the capacity of an individual to perform in daily life. Although it is normal to feel sad following an event of loss or another stressful event, depression goes beyond than just feeling down. Depression is a serious mental condition that can trigger feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness and helplessness. Depression can occur in people of all different races, ages and genders. However women are more likely to experience depression.
Depression can manifest itself as a constant depression, changes in sleep patterns or energy levels, fatigue or a feeling of hopelessness. Other symptoms include an unflattering self-image of being depressed or empty suicidal thoughts and attempts to commit suicide, slowing movements and speech, an overall inability to think clearly and have difficulty making decisions. Depression can also lead to a loss in enthusiasm for hobbies and other activities, and a sense of despair and feeling stuck.
Depression is more prevalent for women than men, and it peaks in pregnancy and puberty as well as in the first year after childbirth. Depression can also be a factor during menopausal perimenopausal and perimenopaus. A number of other mental health disorders can coexist with depression, including anxiety disorders and substance abuse. This NIMH factsheet offers more information about depression treatment options, as well as resources.