Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have to struggle for years before getting a diagnosis of ADHD. It can be a real lightbulb moment when they are diagnosed.
The symptoms often change in response to hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms get worse when they are experiencing menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to be prone to internalizing ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This can make it more difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their problems start to affect work or school as well as personal relationships. This is due in part to gender biases 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 the symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose track of time, making it hard for them to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They may also have difficulties maintaining focus during conversations, and become easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to low performance at work or at school, which can lead to low self-esteem.
Family members, friends and coworkers often misunderstand women with inattention ADHD. Their discontent with their condition can increase the misunderstandings that they encounter. This can lead to tensions in relationships. They are often viewed as irrational and moody, which can increase their feelings of being misunderstood.
Women with inattention ADHD can also suffer from anxiety and depression. These problems can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, like during menstruation and pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. During this time estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels increase, which can cause an increase in ADHD.
Another reason for inattention ADHD is the influence of environmental factors, such as a chaotic home environment or a work schedule which lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay on track at work and get behind in their work. This results in a feeling of self-doubt and a sense of failure. They might also have difficulty accepting negative feedback or criticism which can further undermine their confidence and cause them to avoid social interactions.
Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to struggle with creating and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely to have depression or anxiety and may be particularly sensitive to rejection, which may make them less willing to risk a relationship. This can cause them to feel isolated, which can contribute to depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Most women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem as they struggle to manage the disorder. Others may comment that they're careless or forgetful. They could adopt unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking or use of drugs. They may also resort to self-injury without suicide, like cutting, burning, or scratching. Symptoms of ADHD can affect relationships at work, school, and other activities.
Girls and women with ADHD are often frequently misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is because the signs of anxiety and depression are frequently similar to those of ADHD. Furthermore women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are prone to mood swings that cause them to appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be caused by major life changes like getting married, beginning in a new job, or becoming a parent.
Undiagnosed inattentive ADHD in adults is also prevalent, and could be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentration and a feeling of despair or sadness and difficulties coping with criticism and stress. In conjunction with poor time management, these signs can cause difficulties at school or at work and can cause issues with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD for girls and women can affect managing skills, like procrastination and the tendency to underestimate the time tasks will take (time blindness). They may struggle to keep the track of their schedules and appointments and lose or misplace items easily, and flit from one task to the next. They may also struggle with impulse control, such as interrupting others or making decisions impulsively.
It is crucial for women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD to recognize their symptoms and get help. They can seek treatment from their primary healthcare provider or a mental health specialist. They can also seek to improve their coping abilities by using organizational techniques like creating lists or preparing in advance. They can also participate in exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It's also recommended for them to share household and caregiver chores with their partner or a different support system so that they don't feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually involve medication and therapy. Stimulant medications like amphetamines and methylphenidate can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine. The behavioral therapy method is a great method to address the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in which they instruct people on how to modify negative thoughts or behaviors. Other therapists offer one-onone therapy that focuses on self-esteem as well as emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for those with ADHD to connect with others who have the same disorder and to learn how to manage symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD is difficult to accept. Some women may believe that their issues result from a lack of discipline or a lack of parenting. 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 can be heightened due to hormonal changes that are caused by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopause. This can make it more difficult to deal with emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can cause problems in relationships because of how they are perceived by others, especially male colleagues or partners.
adhd in women adult with inattentive ADHD struggle to keep a stable home life. This can cause difficulties at school or at work. They might, for example forget important appointments, or pay their bills late. They may have trouble organizing their work or school supplies, and they may struggle to complete their tasks. They might have trouble understanding social boundaries and interrupting others while they talk. 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 are hesitant to seek assistance. adult add women might think that their issues aren't enough serious to warrant attention or that they should be able to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be scared of the stigma that comes when they are diagnosed with ADHD which could make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD can be depressed or suicidal. They may also turn to unhealthy coping methods such as drinking alcohol or drug abuse, which can result in health issues and other issues, such as nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) which can involve cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often plagued by feelings of inadequacy and constant stress. This can make it harder to identify and explain the symptoms and seek treatment. It's also common for women to hide their symptoms or develop strategies to disguise them from others, especially as they age. Masking can cause problems at school or work and can result in relationships being damaged.
Research has shown that women with ADHD are at a higher chance of feeling a sensitivity to rejection and finding it difficult to get a job. These experiences can lead to negative self-talk, which can lead to a lack of confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
This is why it's crucial for women suffering from ADHD to have access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital that they work with a doctor or therapist who is familiar with the unique challenges that females and girls face with the disorder.
As women and girls mature, they may face social and cultural expectations that place the majority of household and parenting obligations on them. These expectations are different from those that men are expected to meet. These pressures can lead to depression and anxiety and lead to chaotic, unorganized homes, unfinished projects, and a refusal to seek assistance or admit that they have a problem.
It is also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to puberty and adolescence, and also to experience premenstrual dysphoria. The fluctuation in hormone levels can cause these symptoms to become more severe and can be misinterpreted as other problems such as anxiety or mood swings.
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. As a result, they're more at risk of negative outcomes as adults, including relationships, unemployment and substance use. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap could be eliminated by increasing education and arguing for health professionals as well as parents and teachers to recognize the signs of ADHD in women and girls.