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Signs of ADD in Adult Women Women who suffer from ADD can be frustrated by the inability to plan and organize, especially when they are in the midst of life. They are usually daydreamers or act impulsively. Even minor issues frustrate them to the point that they are angry and irritable. Finding a reliable diagnosis and treatment for adult ADHD is challenging because many women don't have all the typical symptoms. There are indicators of ADD that women who are adults should be aware of. 1. Difficulty Focusing Women who have trouble staying focused may find that they frequently lose their place in a book, frequently forget appointments, regularly shift topics during conversations, or are susceptible to procrastination. These habits are often mistaken as normal behaviors due to stress, aging parents or an overloaded schedule at work. However, they could be signs of a common disorder called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The primary characteristic of ADHD in adults is the difficulty of being on task or remembering things. This can cause problems at work, school, and at home. It also increases anxiety, which is common among women with ADHD. Women who struggle to concentrate are also likely to be easily distracted through daydreaming or getting lost in their thoughts and not paying attention to what they're doing. They can get stuck on a topic for a long time, or even for days. This is typically something they find interesting or satisfying. In addition, many women suffering from ADD are highly impulsive and can't control their behavior, frequently leading to trouble when they are acting or speaking without thinking first. They are more likely to interrupt women during conversations, to blurt out things out that they regret and take more sexual risks than other women. Women need to be aware that these issues aren't just a part of aging, or a menopause side effect. They can cause anxiety, depression, poor relationships, and low self-esteem. Finding a diagnosis and a treatment, which typically includes therapy and medication can improve your life at home and at work. 2. Uncontrollable mood swings While mood swings are a regular part of life, they can be disruptive and extreme. The fluctuations in mood can be difficult to control and may affect your relationships, performance at work and your ability to accomplish daily tasks. Changes in mood can also be a sign of a mental health issue, like bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. The mood swings could be caused by certain drugs like mood stabilizers or antidepressants. Other causes of mood swings include nutritional issues (like malnourishment, caffeine or blood sugar peaks), lack of high-quality sleep, stress, and environmental factors like weather. Women can have mood swings as a result of premenstrual disorder or premenstrual dysfunction (PMDD), and hormonal fluctuations during puberty. Changes in hormones can make ADD symptoms worse during these times. If you're experiencing mood swings that are frequently, rapid or impact your daily routine, talk to your doctor about it. You can treat mood disorders, but you'll have to see an expert. Women are more likely than men to have a coexisting depression or anxiety as a result of ADD which can cause their mood swings more intense. These moods may result in suicidal behaviour or thoughts. Knowing the signs early can help you receive the help and treatment you require. 3. Irritability Irritability is a condition that can impact your personal life and your job. If you are insecure with your partner or easily frustrated by your colleagues you may be experiencing irritability. The stress of being angry can cause you to be frustrated over seemingly minor things and become angry. Making steps to manage your anger can boost your mood and overall health. Studies have shown that irritability is linked to depression and other mood disorders. It can also contribute to the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms. The Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) is a trait-based measure of hostility, includes an Irritability subscale. There are several other measures of irritability, including the Irritability, Anger, and Hostility scale, as well as the Anger, Irritability, and Assault Questionnaire. If you're prone to feeling stressed, speak to your doctor. They can help you identify the root cause and offer treatment options. A doctor may conduct blood or urine tests to check your hormone levels and to exclude diabetes or other medical conditions that could be contributing to your irritability. They can also refer to an expert in mental health for therapy, or prescribe medication to help control your mood. Some people may go through a period of being more irritable than usual due to a viral or bacterial infection. Children with a cold tend to be more upset but it usually goes away after they recover. Women who are prone to irritability could be due to the normal physiology involved with menstrual cycle or a medical condition like pregnancy, illness or injury. The irritability test created by Stringaris and Goodman includes five items that measure the most important symptoms domains (annoyance anger tension hostile behaviour and sensitivity). The Self-Rating Scale (SRS) and Observer Rating Scale (ORS) have demonstrated good test-retest and inter-rater reliability. 4. You can easily be distracted Women with ADD typically have difficulty managing their day-to-day tasks and activities. They may forget important dates, forget appointments, or have difficulty following instructions. They could also become lost in their thoughts, or even daydream excessively, even during boring, uninteresting activities. They might be compelled to browse news websites or social media feeds or lose track of the time when working on a task or project. Women can struggle with the urge to be impulsive, which manifests in speaking or acting without thinking. It can result in financial issues, a chaotic home, and a rocky relationship. undiagnosed adhd in women may be tempted to take on projects and relationships full-force and regret their choices later on or feel spread too thin with many tasks and goals. These symptoms are especially evident during menstruation which is when estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase. This can increase ADHD symptoms for women who are already experiencing hormonal fluctuations. It's important that women recognize and address their ADHD symptoms in order to live the life they want to. A diagnosis of ADD/ADHD may assist them in overcoming their issues. 5. Impulsivity Every person makes impulsive decisions whether it's getting a dramatic hairstyle or slapping a lover. If impulsive behavior turns into a habit or an ongoing problem it could be an indication that you need to seek help. Poor impulse control can sabotage relationships as well as self-esteem, finances and relationships. It's harder to manage in adulthood, as life is already busy and complicated. There is no payment for bills deadlines are missed at work and unintentional remarks can cause a rift with friends. Even worse, impulsive behaviours can have dangerous and harmful consequences, such as driving while drunk or taking illegal drugs. Skinner says that for counselors the first thing to do is determine if impulse control is a real problem or is a symptom of a larger issue like anxiety or addiction to substances. Skinner advises clients to speak about their feelings and how they are managing them. They should also consider when, where and why they tend to be in a state of impulsivity. She reminds her clients as well, that impulsive behavior are often tied to specific emotions like anger or frustration. “If your impulsive behavior is causing you in trouble – and it is the case for many – then it's time to change your attitude,” she says. Another sign of impulsivity is overspending and compulsive behavior like buying things or binge-watching reality TV. It is important to understand that impulsiveness and compulsiveness aren't the same thing. While impulsive behavior is typically linked to feelings, such as anger and frustration, compulsive behaviors are linked to a feeling of obsession or addiction. It is important to distinguish between the two because they are treated differently and require different treatment options. A client may be diagnosed with compulsive disorders, yet require treatment for ADHD.