Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women suffer for years prior to being diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a moment of lightbulb when they are diagnosed.
The symptoms often change in response to hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women can also take on ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This can make it difficult to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect work, school, and personal relationships. This is because of gender bias in clinical settings and in parents' and teachers perceptions. Girls are less likely than males to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines and lose track of the time. They also have difficulty managing their thoughts or planning ahead. They may also have difficulty keeping their attention during conversations and are easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. add in adult women can lead to low performance at work or in school, which can lead to low self-esteem.
Many women with inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood and mistreated by their family, friends and colleagues. Their frustration with their symptoms can increase the misunderstandings that they encounter. This can lead to tensions in relationships. They are often dismissed by others as moody or irrational. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. These issues can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, such as during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. At these times, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone rises, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
The environment can also trigger inattentive ADHD for example, a chaotic environment at home or a work life without a clear structure. Women with inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying on task and fall behind at work, resulting in a feeling of insecurity and a sense of failure. They might also have a harder time accepting negative feedback or criticism which can further degrade their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
Women with inattention ADHD are more likely to have difficulty creating and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety and may be particularly sensitive to rejection, which can make them less willing to take a risk with a romantic relationship. This can cause them to feel isolated which can cause depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD often have low self esteem due to their struggle to cope. They might be discouraged by criticism from people that they are careless, forgetful, or aloof. They might adopt unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking or drugs. They may also resort to non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning or scratching. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed more often as suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. This is because the symptoms of anxiety and depression are often similar to those of ADHD. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD can also experience mood swings, making them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be brought on by major life events like getting married, starting a new job or becoming a parent.
Inattentional inattention that is not diagnosed ADHD in adults is prevalent, and could be mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty staying focused, feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and difficulties coping with stress and criticism. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time management, could result in problems at school or work as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in girls and women can affect the ability to cope, including procrastination and a tendency to underestimate the time tasks will take (time blindness). They may struggle to keep track of appointments and schedules and lose or misplace items easily, and jump from one task to the next. They also may have issues with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD should understand the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment from their primary care physician or a mental health specialist. Additionally they can improve their coping abilities by using organizational strategies, such as making lists or preparing ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve concentration and focus. It is also an excellent idea to split the household and caregiving duties with their partner or other support network, so they aren't overloaded by chores or other errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually involve medication and therapy. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines may help to reduce the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can help with the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Certain therapists employ cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which teaches people to modify negative thoughts and behaviors as well as offer one-on-one therapy for self-esteem and emotional control. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with other people who suffer from the disorder and share tips for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be a challenge for some women to accept. Some women might believe that their issues stem from a lack of discipline or a poor parenting style. This can affect their self-esteem. They may be embarrassed and ashamed due to their inability to keep up with school or work.
Symptoms of ADHD can heighten when hormonal changes occur, such as those caused by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopausal. This can make it more difficult to cope with emotional manifestations like irritability or mood swings. These symptoms can also cause relationship problems because of how they are perceived by others.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to ensure a stable home life. This can cause difficulties at work or school. They may, for instance forget important appointments, or pay their bills late. They may have issues organizing their schoolwork or materials, and may struggle to complete assignments. They may have difficulty understanding social boundaries and interrupting others while they talk. These issues can lead to conflicts in relationships and can affect a woman's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are unable to seek assistance. They may believe that their issues aren't serious enough to warrant attention or they believe that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be afraid of the stigma associated from being diagnosed with ADHD and this can make them less likely to seek treatment. If left untreated, ADHD in women can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. They can also resort to unhealthy coping strategies such as drinking alcohol or substance abuse, which can lead to health problems and other issues, like self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD frequently have to deal with feelings of inadequateness or chronic stress. This can make it harder to recognize and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often cover up symptoms or employ strategies to compensate, particularly as they age, to hide the signs. Masking can cause problems at work or school and may cause relationships to suffer.
Additionally, research has shown that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than males to experience symptoms relating to rejection sensitivity and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative self-talk which leads to anxiety and difficulty with interpersonal relationships.
For these reasons, it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital that they have a clinician or therapist who understands the unique challenges that females and girls confront with the disorder.
As women and girls grow older, they could encounter cultural and social norms that place the majority of parenting and household duties on them, and which differ from those imposed on fathers. These pressures can lead to anxiety and depression and result in a disorganized and chaotic home environment, unfinished projects, and the reluctance of girls and women to ask for assistance.
Premenstrual dysphoria and other symptoms of the adolescent years are also common among females who suffer from ADHD. These symptoms can be made worse by the fluctuations in hormones and can be mistaken for anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and to seek treatment. They are more likely to experience negative outcomes in adulthood which include unemployment, relationship issues and abuse of substances. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap could be closed by increasing education and advocacy efforts to help health professionals as well as teachers and parents to recognize the symptoms of ADHD for women and girls.