How to Get Help for Women With ADD

While media attention has centered on children struggling with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), adults also face similar obstacles with those disorders. Women face additional burdens balancing careers and children while dealing with the effects of ADD. ADD in women is often overlooked and misdiagnoses are common. Fortunately, help is available for women to take control of ADD and live a productive life.

Instructions

• 1

  Search for a doctor. The adult ADD website suggests asking your primary care physician and your local hospital for names of doctors that treat ADD in adults. Local ADD support groups will also be able to provide lists of doctors in your area who are familiar with ADD in women. ADD specialists should be familiar with the unique symptoms and circumstances that women face. The majority of their practice should focus on ADD/ADHD. Find the names and numbers of at least three to four specialists.

• 2

  Contact your health insurance company to find out which of the specialists on your list are covered. Some insurance companies can arrange agreements for out-of-network doctors. If you do not have health insurance, you can call your state Medicaid office to determine eligibility. Local ADD support groups may also have the names of ADD specialists who offer discounted rates.

• 3

  Call the specialists on your list and ask several questions. Ask what field the doctor specializes in and how many visits are required to diagnose ADD. According to the adult ADD website, only two visits are necessary to determine symptoms are not the result of another physiological cause.

• 4

  Schedule an appointment with the specialist of your choice. Prepare a list of your symptoms and any questions you may have because your preparation will hasten the diagnosis process. Medicine.net lists common symptoms of ADD in women as feelings of being overwhelmed, disorganization, difficulty focusing and hyperactivity.

• 5

  Research the recommendations the physician makes after you are diagnosed. Common medicines prescribed include stimulants, such as Ritalin, and tricyclic antidepressants to stabilize mood. Find out what drug interactions or side effects are possible with your prescriptions. Request the name of therapists that can work on behavioral modification with you. You may also want to join a support group because social support is particularly effective for women with ADD.