Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggle for years before receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. When they do, it could be like a lightbulb moment.
The symptoms may change due to hormonal changes. Women may be aware that their symptoms are worse during their menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women can also take on their ADHD characteristics, which can lead to depression. This makes it more difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed until adulthood, at which point their problems start to affect work or school as well as personal relationships. This is due to gender biases, both in the clinical setting as well as in teachers' and parents perceptions. Teachers and parents are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, forget deadlines, and lose track of time. They also have difficulty prioritizing tasks, organizing their thoughts, or making plans for the future. They may also have difficulties staying focused during conversations, and be easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to low performance at work or at school, which could lead to a low self-esteem.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood and mistreated by their family, friends and colleagues. Their frustration with their symptoms heightens the misunderstandings they experience, and this can result in tensions in relationships. They are often seen as being irrational and moody which can further increase the feeling that they are misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. These issues can be made more difficult by hormonal fluctuations, like during menstruation, pregnancy, or perimenopause. In this period, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise, which can worsen ADHD.
External factors can also contribute to inattentive ADHD, such as the chaos of your home or a work life that is not structured. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD may have trouble keeping on track and may fall behind at work, which can lead to feelings of failure and low confidence. They might also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further erode confidence and lead to people avoiding social interaction.
In addition, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely than the rest to suffer from depression or anxiety and they can be more sensitive to rejection. This may make them less willing to take on a romantic relationship. This can lead them to feel isolated, which can contribute to depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Often, women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem when they try to deal with the disorder. Some may say that they are reckless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive alcohol or drug use. They might also resort to self-injury that is not suicide-related, such as cutting or burning. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work and school.
Women and girls with ADHD tend to be frequently misdiagnosed as having depressive or anxiety disorders. This is because the symptoms of depression and anxiety are typically similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Furthermore women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may experience mood swings that make them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be caused by major life changes like getting married, beginning an entirely new job or becoming a parent.
Undiagnosed inattention ADHD in adults is also prevalent, and could be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. The symptoms include trouble staying focused and a feeling of sadness or hopelessness, and difficulties in coping with stress and criticism. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time management, could lead to problems at school or work as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD for girls and women can affect managing skills, like procrastination, and a tendency to underestimate the time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have difficulty keeping track of schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace belongings, and are prone to flitting from one task to another. They can also have problems with impulse control, like interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
It is crucial for women with undiagnosed ADHD to recognize their symptoms and get help. They can seek help through their primary care provider or a mental health professional. In addition, they can try to improve their coping skills making use of organizational strategies, such as making lists or preparing ahead. They can also participate in physical exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that boost attention and focus. It is also a good idea to divide the caregiving and household responsibilities with their partner or other support networks, so that they don't get overloaded by chores or other errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually include therapy and medication. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms of inattention. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy is a great option to treat the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to change negative thoughts and behaviors, while others offer one-on-one therapy for self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are a great way for people with ADHD to meet other people who have the same disorder and to learn how to manage their symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD is difficult to accept. Some women may believe that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or a poor parenting style. This can affect their self-esteem. In addition, they could be frustrated at their inability to keep up with work or school, which could lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes like those that occur during menstruation and pregnancy or menopausal. This can make it difficult to deal with emotional manifestations such as mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can cause relationship problems because of the way they are perceived by others, particularly male colleagues or partners.
Women who are not attentive ADHD often have difficulty maintaining a steady home life and this can lead to problems at work or school. They might, for example, forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They may have trouble organizing their work or school materials, and may be unable to finish assignments. They might have trouble understanding the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt other people while talking. These issues can lead to conflict in relationships and impact a woman's overall perception of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to ask for help. They might think that their problems are not sufficient to warrant attention or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be afraid of the stigma that comes from being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make them less likely to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can cause depression or suicidal thoughts. They might also adopt unhealthy coping strategies, like drinking or using substances. This can lead to health issues and other issues like nonsuicidal harming themselves (NSSI) which includes 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 recognize and articulate the symptoms, and get treatment. It is also common for women to cover up their symptoms or develop strategies to conceal them from others, particularly as they age. Masking can cause problems at work or school and can affect relationships.
Furthermore, research suggests that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms that are related to rejection sensitivity and also to be unable to find jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative thoughts that lead to a lack of confidence and issues in interpersonal relationships.
It is essential that women with ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's crucial that they are able to access an therapist or a therapist who is knowledgeable about the issues that women and girls face with ADHD.
As women and girls grow up, they may encounter cultural and social norms that place the majority of parenting and household duties on them, and which differ from those placed on fathers. These pressures can trigger depression and anxiety. They can also result in a messy and chaotic home as well as unfinished projects and an inability for women and girls to ask for assistance.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of the adolescent years are also common among females who suffer from ADHD. The fluctuations in hormone levels can cause these symptoms to become more severe and can be mistaken for other issues such as anxiety or mood swings.
Women with ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and to seek treatment. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes as they age which include relationships, unemployment, and substance abuse. adult add women are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and remain undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap can be eliminated by enhancing education and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the symptoms of ADHD for women and girls.