Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggle for years before receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. It could be a moment of lightbulb when they are diagnosed.
Symptoms often fluctuate with hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women can also take on their ADHD traits, which leads to depression. This can make it harder to be diagnosed and treated for their ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD often do not get diagnosed until adulthood, when their problems begin to impact with school, work and personal relationships. This is due in part to gender bias in both clinical settings and in the perceptions of teachers and parents who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys even when those symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Inattentional ADHD causes women to forget appointments, miss deadlines and lose track of time, making it difficult for them to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They may also have difficulties keeping their attention during conversations and become easily distracted by external stimuli, internal thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor performance at work or in school, which could lead to low self-esteem.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their friends, family and coworkers. Their anger over their symptoms can increase the misperceptions they encounter. This can lead to strained relations. They are often viewed by others as moody or crazy. This can increase their feeling of being untrusted.
Women who have inattention ADHD are also afflicted by various emotional issues such as anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations, such as when menstrual cycle is in full swing or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. At these times, hormone levels of estrogen decrease and progesterone rises and can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms.
Another reason for inattentive ADHD is environmental factors like a chaotic house environment or a work schedule that lacks structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying on task and fall behind at work, leading to feelings of being unworthy and low confidence. They might also have difficulty accepting criticism or negative feedback which can further degrade their confidence and cause them to avoid social interactions.
In addition, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to struggle with establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely to have coexisting anxiety or depression and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which can cause them to be more reluctant to take a risk with a romantic relationship. This can lead to a feeling of isolation and can contribute to depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Often, women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem when they try to cope with the condition. People may tell them that they're careless or forgetful. They could develop unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive alcohol or drugs. They might also resort to non-suicidal methods of self-injury like cutting, burning or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD tend to be mistakenly diagnosed more often as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is because the symptoms of depression and anxiety are typically similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Women with undiagnosed ADHD might also experience mood swings, making them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be brought on by major life changes, such as getting married, starting a new job, or becoming a parent.
adult adhd in women with inattention ADHD are also often mistakenly diagnosed, and can be mistaken for bipolar or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating or concentrating, as well as feelings like sadness or despair and issues handling stress and criticism. Combined with poor time management, these symptoms could cause problems at work or school and cause problems with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in women and girls can affect managing skills, like procrastination and the tendency to underestimate the length of time tasks will take (time blindness). They may struggle to keep an eye on their schedules and appointments and may lose or misplace their belongings easily, and jump from one task to the next. They might also be struggling with impulse control. This could include making impulsive decisions or interrupting others.
It is crucial for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD to be aware of their symptoms and get help. They can seek help through their primary care physician or mental health specialist. They can also seek to improve their coping skills by employing organizational methods like creating lists or planning in advance. They can also participate in exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and attention. It's also an excellent idea to share household and caregiving tasks with their spouse or another support network to ensure they do not feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually include medication and therapy. Stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also non-stimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy can aid in the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in which they instruct people on how to change negative thoughts or behavior. Some offer one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with other people who have the condition and share strategies for managing symptoms.
For some women, the diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be difficult to accept. Some women may think that their issues stem from a lack of discipline or poor parenting. This could impact their self-esteem. Additionally, they might be frustrated with their inability to keep up with their work or school, which can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes like those that happen during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it harder to deal with emotional symptoms, such as irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can cause relationship problems due to the way they are perceived by other people, especially male friends or colleagues.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to keep a stable family life. This can lead to difficulties at school or at work. For example, they might not remember important appointments or pay bills late. They might have issues organizing their work or school supplies and may be unable to complete tasks. They might have trouble understanding social boundaries or interrupting others while they are talking. These issues can result in conflicts in relationships, and impact a woman's sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD are hesitant to seek assistance. They may believe that their issues aren't enough serious to warrant attention, or that they should be capable of "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They may also be scared of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make it more difficult to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD may develop depression or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy coping strategies, like drinking or using substances. This can lead to health issues and other issues like nonsuicidal harming themselves (NSSI), including burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD are often affected by feelings of inadequateness and chronic stress. This can make it more difficult to recognize and articulate the symptoms, and get treatment. It's also normal for women to mask their symptoms or devise strategies to disguise them from others, especially as they age. Masking can lead to problems at school or work and may affect relationships.
In addition, research shows that women with 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 cause negative self-talk which leads to an insecurity and difficulty with interpersonal relationships.
It is essential that women suffering from ADHD receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they are able to access a clinician or therapist that is aware of the difficulties that girls and women have to face when dealing with ADHD.
As girls and women mature as they get older, they will be faced with societal and cultural expectations which place the majority of the household and parenting responsibilities on them. These expectations are different from those placed on men. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety. They can also result in a messy and chaotic home as well as unfinished projects and an inability for girls and women to ask for help.
It's also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms related to puberty and adolescence, and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be caused by the fluctuation in hormones and can be mistaken for anxiety or mood swings.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience insufficient awareness of their condition, and they're less likely to receive treatment than men. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes in adulthood, such as problems with relationships, unemployment and abuse of substances. They are also more likely than men to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be closed by increasing awareness and advocacy efforts to help health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD in girls and women.