Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggle for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a moment of lightbulb when they receive a diagnosis.
Symptoms can fluctuate due to hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms get worse when they are experiencing menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women may also accept their ADHD traits, which can lead to depression. This makes it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated for their ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed until they reach adulthood, when their issues begin to affect work, school, and personal relationships. This is partly due to gender bias in both clinical settings as well as in the perceptions of parents and teachers, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys even when those symptoms are evident (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Inattentive ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, forget deadlines, and lose track of time. They also have difficulty prioritizing their tasks, organizing their thoughts, or making plans for the future. They may also have trouble maintaining focus during conversations, and are easily distracted by external stimuli, internal thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor school or work performance, which leads to low self-esteem and frustration.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by family, friends and colleagues. Their discontent with their condition can lead to more misunderstandings they encounter. This can lead to tensions between people. They are often viewed by others as sour or crazy. This can lead to a feeling of being untrusted.
Women with inattentive ADHD can also suffer from anxiety and depression. These issues can be exacerbated by fluctuations in hormone levels that occur during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal. During these times, the estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise which can aggravate ADHD symptoms.
Another cause of inattention ADHD is the influence of environmental factors, such as a chaotic home environment or a work schedule that lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty staying on task and become distracted at work, resulting in feelings of being unworthy and low confidence. They might also have a harder time accepting criticism or negative feedback which can further undermine their confidence and cause them to avoid social interactions.
Women with inattention ADHD have a higher tendency to struggle with creating and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely than other women to be suffering from depression or anxiety, and they can be more sensitive to rejection. This may cause them to be less willing to take on a romantic relationship. This can lead to isolation and can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Women with undiagnosed ADHD often suffer from low self-esteem as a result of their struggle to cope. Some may say that they are reckless or forgetful. They may develop unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol or drugs. They may also resort to non-suicidal methods of self-injury like cutting, burning, or scratching. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed more often as suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. This is because many of the symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of ADHD. Furthermore women with undiagnosed ADHD are prone to mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life changes, such as getting married, starting an entirely new job or becoming a parent.
Undiagnosed inattention ADHD in adults is frequent, and is often mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include trouble concentrating, feelings of despair or sadness and difficulties in coping with criticism and stress. Combined with poor time management, these signs can create difficulties at school or at work, and lead to difficulties with family and friends.
Inattentive ADHD in women and girls can cause trouble with managing skills, like procrastination and the tendency to underestimate how long tasks will take (time blindness). They may struggle to keep the track of their schedules and appointments, misplace or lose belongings easily, and flit from one task to the next. They also may have issues with impulse control, such as interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
It is crucial for women with undiagnosed ADHD to understand their symptoms and get help. They can seek treatment through their primary care provider or mental health specialist. They can also try to improve their coping abilities by using organizational techniques like making lists or planning ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve focus and attention. It's also a good idea for them to share household and caregiving chores with their partner or another support group to ensure they aren't overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is typically required to control ADHD symptoms, which can include therapy and medication. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines may help to reduce the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can aid in the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in which they instruct people on how to change negative thoughts or behaviors. Some offer one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem as well as emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for those suffering from ADHD to meet other people who share the same condition and learn about how to manage symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be a challenge for some women to accept. Some women may think that their issues stem from a lack of discipline or a poor parenting style. This can affect their self-esteem. They might also feel embarrassed and ashamed due to their inability to maintain their school schedule or work.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes like those that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or menopausal. This makes it more difficult to cope with emotional symptoms, like mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can cause problems in relationships because of how they are perceived by others, especially male colleagues or partners.
Women with inattention ADHD often struggle to maintain a steady home life which can cause problems at work or school. They might, for example forget important appointments, or pay their bills late. They may have problems organizing their school or work materials and may struggle to complete their tasks. They may have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt other people while talking. These problems can cause conflicts in relationships and affect a woman's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD find it difficult to ask for help. They might think that their problems aren't serious enough to require attention, or that they should be able to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be afraid of the stigma that comes with getting a diagnosis of ADHD which could make it difficult for them to seek treatment. If left untreated, ADHD in women can cause depression or suicidal thoughts. They might also adopt unhealthy coping strategies, like drinking or using substances. This can cause health problems and other issues, such as self-harming that is not suicidal (NSSI), including burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD are often affected by feelings of inadequateness and constant stress. This can make it more difficult to identify and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often cover up symptoms or use compensatory strategies, especially as they age, to cover their symptoms. Masking can cause difficulties at school or at work and can result in relationships being damaged.
In addition, research shows that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms related to rejection sensitivity, and to have trouble finding jobs. These experiences can lead to negative self-talk, which can lead to an insecurity and difficulty with interpersonal relationships.
add in adult women is important that women with ADHD receive a proper diagnosis and treatment. It's crucial that they can access the right therapist or clinician who is familiar with the challenges both women and girls confront with ADHD.
As girls and women mature, they may face societal and cultural expectations which place the majority of parenting and household responsibility on them. These expectations differ from those placed on men. These pressures can lead to depression and anxiety. They can also result in a messy and chaotic home, unfinished projects, and a reluctance for girls and women to reach out for assistance.
The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoria as well as adolescents are also common in females suffering from ADHD. The fluctuation in hormone levels can cause these symptoms to become more severe and can be misinterpreted as a sign of other issues like anxiety or mood shifts.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. Because of this, they're more at risk of negative outcomes as adults which include unemployment, relationship problems and use of drugs. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap can be eliminated by increasing education and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals as well as teachers and parents to recognize the signs of ADHD for women and girls.