How Do I Explain Add In Adult Women To A 5-Year-Old
Signs of ADD in Adult Women Women with ADD might be frustrated by their inability to plan and organize especially when they go about their lives. These women are often daydreamers or act impulsively. Minor inconveniences can make them irritable. Finding a reliable diagnosis and treatment for adult ADHD is a challenge because a lot of women don't exhibit all the typical symptoms. There are however some signs of ADD in women of adulthood that you should look for. 1. Problems with Focusing Women who struggle to focus might notice that they frequently lose their place in a book, frequently forget appointments, often shift topics in conversations, or are prone to procrastination. These behaviors are often mistaken as normal behaviors due to stress, aging parents, or a busy schedule at work. They could be symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) which is a very common disorder. Adults who suffer from ADHD struggle to stay focused or retaining important information. This can cause problems at work, school and at home. It also increases anxiety, which is prevalent among women with ADHD. Women who are unable to concentrate are easily distracted by daydreaming, or losing themselves in their thoughts. They could even become stuck on a topic for hours, days or longer—often a topic they find interesting or rewarding, and find it difficult to get rid of it. Additionally, a lot of women with ADD are highly emotional and are unable to control their behavior, frequently leading to trouble when they are acting or speaking without thinking first. 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. It is crucial for women to know that these issues aren't a normal part of aging, or a consequence of menopausal symptoms as they can lead to anxiety and depression, bad relationships and low self-esteem. Finding a diagnosis and a treatment, which typically includes medication and therapy, can improve your life at home as well as at work. 2. Uncontrollable mood changes While mood swings are a regular part of life, they can also be disruptive and extreme. The fluctuations in mood can be difficult to control and can impact your relationships, performance at work and ability to complete everyday tasks. The fluctuations in mood can be an indication of a mental illness, like Bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. They may be a side effect of certain medications, including mood stabilizers and antidepressants. Other causes of mood changes include nutritional issues (such as malnutrition or blood sugar spikes) stress, stress, and environmental factors, like the weather. Women can suffer from mood shifts due to premenstrual disorder, also known as premenstrual dysfunction (PMDD) and hormone changes during puberty. Hormonal changes can cause ADD symptoms worse during these times. If you're experiencing mood fluctuations that are frequent and rapid or impact your routine, talk to your doctor about it. There are treatments for mood disorders, but you will have to see a specialist. Women are more likely to experience depression or anxiety in conjunction with ADD. This can cause mood swings. In some cases mood swings can trigger suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Knowing the signs early will allow you to receive the support and treatment you need. 3. Irritability Irritability is a condition that can affect both your personal life as well as your career. It is possible to experience irritation if you're irritable with your partner or easily annoyed by colleagues. It can also cause you to be angry and frustrated over minor things. By taking steps to reduce your irritability, you can improve your mood as as your overall health. Research has shown that irritability is associated with depression and other mood disorders. It is also a contributing factor to anxiety and depressive symptoms. The Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, a trait-based measure of hostility includes an Irritability scale. There are other measures of Irritability, including the Irritability, Anger, and Hostility scale, as well as the Anger, Irritability, and Assault Questionnaire. Speak to your doctor in case you are feeling irritable. They can help identify the root cause and offer solutions. 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 you to a mental healthcare professional for treatment, or prescribe medication to manage your mood. A viral or bacterial infection can cause some people to become more irritable. Young children often appear more irritable when they have an illness, and this generally goes away as they recover. The reason women are more prone to be irritable is due to the normal physiology associated with menstrual cycles or a medical issue such as pregnancy, illness or injury. The irritability test developed by Stringaris & Goodman includes five items that assess core symptoms domains (annoyance anger tension hostile behaviour and sensitivity). full report -Rating Scale and Observer Rating Scale demonstrate evidence of internal consistency with high test-retest accuracy and interrater reliability. 4. You can easily get distracted Women suffering from ADD have difficulty completing everyday tasks. They may forget appointments or other obligations, be forgetful of important events, and have trouble following instructions. They may also get lost in their thoughts or daydream often, even when they are doing boring, unstimulating tasks. They may be prone to checking social media or online news feeds or lose track of time while working on a chore or project. Women may struggle with the urge to act. This may manifest as speaking or acting without thinking, and can result in financial problems and a messy home and even relationship issues. They may jump into projects and relationships at the fullest and then regret their choices later on, or feel too thin with many obligations and goals. These symptoms are more apparent during menstrual periods, when estrogen levels decrease and progesterone increases. This can exacerbate ADHD symptoms in women who are already experiencing hormonal changes. This is why it's crucial for women to recognize and tackle their ADHD symptoms so that they can live the life they deserve. A diagnosis of ADD/ADHD could help them overcome their challenges. 5. Impulsivity Every person makes impulsive decisions whether it's deciding to get a dramatic hairstyle or slapping a lover. When an impulsive behaviour becomes a problem or habit, it may be time to seek out help. A lack of control over your impulses can destroy relationships, finances and self-esteem. It's even more difficult to control as you get older, and when life is already busy and complicated. Deadlines at work are missed, bills aren't paid and the impulsive remarks of friends can be a source of discord. Worse yet, impulsive behaviors can lead to dangers and negative consequences, like driving while drowsy or taking illegal drugs. For counselors, Skinner says, the first step is figuring out whether the issue of impulse control is a real issue or is a symptom of something else, such as anxiety or drug use. She encourages clients to talk about their feelings and how they deal with them, and to think about where, when and why they're in a state of impulsivity. She reminds her clients that impulsive behavior can be tied to certain emotions, such as anger and frustration. “If your impulsive behavior puts you into trouble – which it is the case for many – then it's time to change those feelings,” she says. Another sign of impulsivity is overspending and compulsive behaviours, such as buying things or binge-watching reality TV. But it's important to know that impulsiveness and compulsiveness are not the exact same thing. While impulsive behaviors are typically associated with emotions, like anger or frustration, compulsive behaviors are typically linked to an addiction or obsession. It's important to differentiate between the two because they are treated differently and are treated differently by mental health professionals. A patient may be diagnosed with compulsive disorders, yet require treatment for ADHD.