Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women had to struggle for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. It can be a real moment of lightbulb when they are diagnosed.
The symptoms often change in response to hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women can also take on their ADHD characteristics, which can lead to depression. This makes it harder to identify and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed until they reach adulthood, when their issues begin to affect their work, school, and personal relationships. This is due to gender biases in both clinical settings and in teachers' and parents perceptions. Girls are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD causes women to forget appointments, miss deadlines and lose the track of time, making it hard to plan ahead and organize their thoughts. It can also be difficult to prioritize tasks. They might also find it difficult to focus on conversations and easily get distracted by external stimuli or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor school or work performance, which leads to low self-esteem and anger.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their family, friends and colleagues. Their anger over their symptoms increases the mistrust they face and can lead to tensions in relationships. They are often viewed as being irrational and moody which can further aggravate their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD can also suffer from anxiety and depression. These issues can be made more difficult by hormonal fluctuations, such as during menstrual cycles and pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. In this time estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise, which can exacerbate ADHD.
Environmental factors can also cause inattentive ADHD for example, a chaotic environment at home or in a workplace that is not structured. Women with inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying on task and fall behind at work, leading to feelings of failure and low confidence. They might also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further diminish confidence and cause people to avoid social interactions.
In addition, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties creating and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety that is co-existing and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which can make them more reluctant to take a risk with a romantic relationship. This can lead to a feeling of isolation which can lead to depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD frequently suffer from low self-esteem due to their struggle to cope. They can be discouraged by criticism from people who say they are reckless or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They might adopt unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drug use. attention deficit disorder in women might also resort to non-suicidal forms of self-injury such as cutting, burning, or scratching. Symptoms of ADHD can affect relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often frequently misdiagnosed as suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. This is because the symptoms of anxiety and depression are frequently similar to those of ADHD. Women with undiagnosed ADHD might also have mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be caused by major life changes like getting married, starting a new job or becoming a parent.
Undiagnosed inattentive ADHD in adults is common, and can be mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating, feelings such as despair or sadness and difficulties managing stress and criticism. When combined with poor time management, these issues could cause problems at school or at work and cause problems with family and friends.
Inattentive ADHD can cause problems with coping abilities in girls and women, such as procrastination, or underestimating how long the task will take (timeblindness). They can have trouble keeping track of their schedules and appointments, easily lose or misplace their belongings and are prone to flitting from one task to the next. They also may have issues with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making decisions impulsively.
It is crucial for women with undiagnosed ADHD to recognize their symptoms and get help. They can seek help from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. They can also attempt to improve their coping abilities by employing organizational methods, such as making lists or planning in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve focus and attention. It is also recommended to divide the household and caregiving duties with their partner or other support network, so they are not overwhelmed by chores or run-of-the-mill chores.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is often needed to manage ADHD symptoms, which includes therapy and medication. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines may help reduce the inattention symptoms of ADHD. There are also nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy can help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to change negative thoughts and behavior, while others offer one-on-one therapy for self-esteem and emotional control. Support groups are a great way for people who suffer from ADHD to meet other people with the same diagnosis and learn about how to manage their symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD could be difficult for some women to accept. Some women may think that their problems stem from a lack of discipline or poor parenting. This can affect their self-esteem. In addition, they may be frustrated at their inability to keep up with their work or school, and this can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes such as those that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or menopausal. This can make it harder to deal with emotional manifestations such as mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can also cause relationship problems because of how they are perceived by other people.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to maintain a stable home life. This can cause problems at school or at work. For instance, they could miss important appointments or pay bills late. They might have issues organizing their work or school supplies, and they may have difficulty completing tasks. They might have trouble understanding the social boundaries and interrupting people when they talk. These problems can cause conflict in relationships and affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are unable to seek help. They may think that their symptoms aren't severe enough to warrant attention, or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be scared of the stigma associated with getting a diagnosis of ADHD which could make it harder for them to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD can become depressed or suicidal. They might also adopt unhealthy coping strategies, such drinking or using substances. This can lead to health issues and other issues, such as self-harming that is not suicidal (NSSI) such as burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD are often plagued by feelings of inadequacy and constant stress. This can make it more difficult to identify and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. It's also normal for women to cover up their symptoms or develop strategies to conceal them from others, especially as they get older. Masking can lead to difficulties at work or school and may cause relationships to suffer.
In addition, research shows that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms that are related to rejection sensitivity and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative self-talk, which can lead to a lack of confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
It is crucial that women with ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital that they have a clinician or therapist who is familiar with the unique challenges that girls and women face with the disorder.
As women and girls mature as they get older, they will be faced with societal and cultural expectations which place the majority of the household and parenting responsibility on them. These expectations differ from those that men are expected to meet. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety and can lead to chaotic, unorganized home environments, unfinished projects and a lack of willingness to ask for help or admit that they have a problem.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of the adolescent years are also common among females suffering from ADHD. The fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms more severe, and they might be misinterpreted as other problems like anxiety or mood shifts.
Women with ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and to seek treatment. They are more likely to experience negative outcomes as they age, such as problems with relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap can be lowered by increasing education and arguing for health professionals, teachers and parents to be aware of the signs of ADHD among girls and women.