Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have to struggle for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it may be like a lightbulb moment.
The symptoms often change in response to hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms get worse during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women also can be prone to internalizing ADHD traits which leads to depression. This makes it more difficult to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD typically are not diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their issues begin to affect them with school, work and personal relationships. This is due to gender biases, both in clinical settings and in teachers' and parents perceptions. Girls are less likely than boys 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 difficulty prioritizing their tasks, organizing their thoughts or making plans for the future. They may also have difficulties maintaining focus during conversations, and are easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These issues can result in low performance at work or at school, leading to low self-esteem.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their family, friends and coworkers. Their discontent with their condition can lead to more misunderstandings they experience. This can lead to tensions in relationships. They are often seen as being irrational and moody which can further increase their feelings of being misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive 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. In this time, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase, which can worsen ADHD.
Another cause of inattentive ADHD is environmental factors, such as a chaotic home environment or work life which lacks structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying on task and get behind in their work, leading to feelings of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also be unable to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further diminish confidence and cause people to avoid social interactions.
Additionally, women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from coexisting anxiety or depression and are more prone to rejection, which may make them more reluctant to take a risk with a romantic relationship. This can cause isolation and can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Most women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem while trying to manage the disorder. They may become discouraged by comments from others that they are negligent, forgetful, or aloof. They could adopt unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking or use of drugs. They might also resort to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting or burning. ADHD symptoms 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 signs of anxiety and depression are typically similar to the symptoms of ADHD. In addition women who are not diagnosed with ADHD can experience mood swings that cause them to appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be caused by major life events like getting married, starting a new job or becoming a parent.
Adults who have inattentive ADHD are often misdiagnosed, and may be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating or concentrating, as well as feelings like despair or sadness and issues handling stress and criticism. These symptoms, when combined with poor time-management, can lead to issues at work or school and with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD in girls and women can lead to problems with coping skills, such as procrastination, and a tendency to underestimate the length of time tasks will take (time blindness). They may struggle to keep track of appointments and schedules and may lose or misplace their belongings quickly, and easily jump from one task to the next. They may also have issues with impulse control. This could mean making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD should understand the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek help from their primary care provider or a mental health professional. In addition they can improve their coping skills by making use of strategies for organizing, such as writing lists or planning ahead. They can also engage in exercises, which release neurotransmitters that improve attention and focus. It's also an excellent idea 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. Drugs that stimulate the brain, like amphetamines and methylphenidate can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine. The behavioral therapy method is a great option to treat the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Therapists may employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to change negative thoughts and behavior as well as offer one-on-one therapy for self-esteem and emotional control. adhd in adult women can help those with ADHD connect with other people with the same condition and share tips for managing symptoms.
For some women, the diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be difficult to accept. They may think that their issues stem from a lack of discipline or bad parenting, and this can impact their self-esteem. In addition, they may feel frustrated by their inability to keep up with work or school, and this could lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Symptoms of ADHD can be heightened during hormonal changes that are caused by menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal. This can make it harder to cope with emotional symptoms, such as irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can also cause problems in relationships because of the way they are perceived by others, particularly male friends or colleagues.
Women with inattention ADHD often have difficulty maintaining a steady home life and this can lead to difficulties at school or at work. For instance, they could not remember important appointments or pay bills late. They may have trouble organizing their work or school materials, and may struggle to complete assignments. They might have trouble understanding the social boundaries and interrupting other people while they're talking. These issues can cause conflict in relationships and affect a woman’s self-esteem.
add adult women suffering from inattention ADHD are hesitant to seek help. They might think that their symptoms aren't sufficient to warrant attention or they believe that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They might also be scared of the stigma associated from being diagnosed with ADHD which could make them less likely to seek treatment. If left untreated, ADHD in women can result in depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also turn to unhealthy coping methods such as drinking alcohol or drug abuse, which can result in health problems and other issues, such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which can involve 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 explain the symptoms, and get treatment. Women often mask symptoms or use compensatory strategies, particularly as they get older, to conceal their symptoms. Masking can lead to difficulties at school or at work and can result in relationships being damaged.
In addition, research shows that women with ADHD are more likely than males to experience symptoms relating to sensitivity to rejection, and also to be unable to find jobs. These experiences can lead to negative self-talk, which can lead to a lack of confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
It is important that women with ADHD receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also crucial to have a therapist or therapy professional who is knowledgeable of the unique challenges females and girls confront with the disorder.
As girls and women grow older and become more independent, they are likely to be confronted with the expectations of society and culture that place the majority of household and parenting responsibilities on them. These expectations are different from those that men are expected to meet. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety and lead to disorganized, chaotic home environments, unfinished projects and a reluctance to ask for 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 to struggle with premenstrual dysphoria. The monthly fluctuations in hormone levels can cause these symptoms to become more severe and could be misinterpreted as a sign of other issues like anxiety or mood swings.
Women who suffer from ADHD often experience a lack of awareness about their condition, and are less likely to receive treatment than men. They are more likely to experience negative outcomes in adulthood, such as relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. They are also more likely to be misdiagnosed than men, and to go undiagnosed throughout their lives. This gap can be eliminated by enhancing awareness and advocacy efforts to help health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD for women and girls.