Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. It can be a real lightbulb moment when they receive a diagnosis.
The symptoms can change due to hormonal changes. For instance, women might feel their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to accept their ADHD characteristics, which can lead to depression. This can make it harder to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their problems begin to affect work at school, as well as personal relationships. This is because of gender bias in the clinical setting and in the parents' and teachers perceptions. Teachers and parents are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, forget deadlines, and lose track of the time. They also have trouble managing their thoughts, or making plans for the future. They may be unable to maintain focus on conversations and easily become distracted by external stimuli or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor performance at work or at school, leading to low self-esteem.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood and mistreated by their friends, family and coworkers. Their discontent with their condition can lead to more misunderstandings they experience. This can lead to strained relations. adhd in adult women are often seen as moody and irrational, which can further aggravate the feeling that they are misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD are also afflicted by a variety of emotional difficulties such as anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations that occur during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal. During this time, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise which can cause an increase in ADHD.
Environmental factors can also cause inattentive ADHD like an unorganized home or a work life with little structure. Women with inattentive ADHD can have difficulty staying on track and can get behind in their work, resulting in a feeling of failure and low confidence. They may also have a harder time accepting criticism or negative feedback which can further undermine their confidence and result in them avoiding social interactions.
Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties creating and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely than other women to suffer from anxiety or depression, and are more vulnerable to rejection. This can make them reluctant to take on a romantic relationship. This can lead them to feel lonely, which can contribute to depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD often have low self-esteem due to their struggle to deal with. They may become discouraged by criticism from people who say they are reckless, forgetful, or aloof. They may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking or drug use. They may also resort non-suicidal methods of self-injury like cutting, burning or scratching. Symptoms of ADHD can cause problems with relationships at work, school, and other activities.
Girls and women with ADHD tend to be frequently misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is because the signs of depression and anxiety are frequently similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Additionally women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may experience mood swings that cause them to appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can be triggered by major life changes, such as marriage, beginning a new career, or becoming parents.
Undiagnosed inattention ADHD in adults is also common, and can be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating and feelings of sadness or despair and issues managing stress and criticism. When combined with poor time management, these signs can cause difficulties at school or at work, and lead to difficulties with family and friends.
Inattentive ADHD for girls and women can lead to problems with the ability to cope, including procrastination, and a tendency to underestimate the time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have difficulty keeping track of their schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace belongings and are prone to flitting from one task to the next. They might also be struggling with controlling their impulses. This could include making impulsive choices or interrupting others.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD must be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment through their primary care physician or mental health specialist. In addition they can improve their coping abilities by making use of strategies for organizing, such as writing lists or preparing ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve concentration and attention. It is also a good idea to divide up household and caregiving responsibilities with their spouse or another support networks, so that they are not stressed by chores or running run-of-the-mill chores.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms typically include therapy and medication. Stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can aid in the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) that is where they help people change negative thoughts or behavior. Some offer one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help people with ADHD connect with other people who have the condition and share tips for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD could be a challenge for some women to accept. They might believe that their problems result from a lack of discipline or poor parenting, and this can affect their self-esteem. They may also feel embarrassed and ashamed by their inability keep up with school or work.
Symptoms of ADHD are more severe when hormonal changes occur like those brought on by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopause. This can make it harder to deal with emotional manifestations such as irritability or mood swings. These symptoms can also cause problems in relationships due to the way they are perceived by other people, especially male colleagues or partners.
Women with inattentive ADHD often struggle to maintain a steady home life which can cause issues at school or at work. They might, for example forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They might have difficulty organizing their schoolwork or materials, and they may have difficulty completing assignments. They might be unable to comprehend social boundaries and interrupting other people while talking. These issues can lead to conflicts in relationships and affect a woman's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to seek assistance. They may believe that their problems aren't sufficient to warrant attention or that they shouldn't be able to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be afraid of the stigma that comes from being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD can become depressed or suicidal. They could also resort to unhealthy coping strategies, such alcohol or substance abuse. This could lead to health problems and other issues like self-harming and non-suicidal (NSSI), including cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often plagued by feelings of inadequacy and constant stress. This can make it difficult to identify and articulate symptoms, and seek treatment. Women often hide symptoms or resort to compensatory strategies, particularly as they age, to cover them. Masking can cause problems at work or at school and may affect relationships.
In addition, research shows that women with ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms that are related to sensitivity to rejection, and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can trigger negative thoughts, which can lead to a lack of confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
It is essential that women with ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital to have a therapist or therapist who is familiar with the unique challenges that females and girls face with the disorder.
As women and girls become teenagers, they might encounter societal and cultural expectations that place the majority of the household and parenting responsibilities on them, and which differ from the expectations placed on fathers. These pressures can cause anxiety and depression, and result in chaotic, messy homes, unfinished projects and a reluctance to ask for help or admit they have a problem.
It is also common for females suffering from ADHD to experience symptoms related to puberty and adolescence, and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. The monthly fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms worse, and they might be mistaken for other issues like anxiety or mood shifts.
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. This means that they have a higher rate of negative outcomes as they age such as relationships, unemployment and addiction. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap could be eliminated by educating the public and advocating for health professionals, teachers and parents to be aware of the symptoms of ADHD among girls and women.