Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have struggled for a long time before being diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a lightbulb moment when they are diagnosed.
Symptoms often fluctuate with hormonal changes. For example, women may be able to notice that their symptoms become more severe during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to internalize ADHD traits which leads to depression. This can make it more difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD often do not get diagnosed until the age of adulthood, when their issues begin to affect them with school, work, and personal relationships. This is partly due to gender biases in both clinical settings and in the perceptions of parents and teachers who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys even when those symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, forget deadlines, and lose track of the time. They also have difficulty managing their thoughts, or making plans for the future. They may also find it difficult to maintain focus on conversations and can easily get distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These issues can lead to poor school or work performance and can lead to low self-esteem and anger.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by family, friends and colleagues. Their frustration with their symptoms increases the mistrust they face which can result in tensions in relationships. They are often viewed by others as moody or irrational. This can lead to a feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD are also afflicted by a range of emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by hormone fluctuations like during menstrual cycle and pregnancy or perimenopausal. During this time estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels rise, which can worsen ADHD.
Another cause of inattention ADHD is environmental factors, like a chaotic home environment or a work schedule that lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty keeping on track and may become distracted at work, resulting in feelings of failure and low confidence. They might also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further diminish confidence and lead to people avoiding social interaction.
Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to struggle with creating and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely to have depression or anxiety that is co-existing and may be particularly sensitive to rejection, which could cause them to be more reluctant to commit to a relationship. treatment for adhd in women can cause them to feel lonely which can cause anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD often suffer from low self esteem due to their struggle to deal with. They can be depressed by comments from other people that they are careless or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They may develop unhealthy coping methods, such as excessive drinking or drug use. They may also resort non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning or scratching. The symptoms of ADHD can affect relationships as well as work and school.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This is because the symptoms of anxiety and depression are typically similar to those of ADHD. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may also have mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can be triggered by major changes in your life like marriage, starting new jobs or having children.
Adults who have inattentive ADHD are also commonly mistakenly diagnosed, and can be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty staying focused and a feeling of despair or sadness and difficulties in coping with stress and criticism. Combined with poor time management, these signs could cause problems at work or school and cause problems with family and friends.
Inattentive ADHD in girls and women can cause trouble with the ability to cope, including procrastination, and a tendency to underestimate how long tasks will take (time blindness). They may have trouble keeping an eye on their schedules and appointments and lose or misplace items quickly, and easily jump from one task to the next. They also may have issues with impulse control, like interrupting others or making impulsive choices.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD must be aware of their symptoms and seek assistance. They can seek treatment through their primary care provider or mental health specialist. Additionally they can improve their coping abilities by making use of strategies for organizing, such as making lists or preparing ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It is also recommended to divide up household and caregiving responsibilities with their partner or other support networks, so that they don't get stressed by chores or running other errands.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is usually required to treat ADHD symptoms, including medication and therapy. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines could aid in reducing the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. There are also nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy is a good way to help with the organizational and emotional 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 to improve self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people who suffer from ADHD to meet other people who have the same disorder and to learn how to manage symptoms.
For some women, the diagnosis of inattentive ADHD is difficult to accept. They may believe that their issues result from a lack of discipline or poor parenting, and this may affect their self-esteem. They may be embarrassed and ashamed due to their inability to maintain their school schedule or work.
Symptoms of ADHD can heighten due to hormonal changes, such as those caused by menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it more difficult to manage emotional symptoms, like irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can also lead to relationship problems because of how they are perceived by others.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to maintain a stable family life. This can cause problems at school or at work. For example, they might not remember important appointments or pay bills late. They might have issues organizing their school or work materials and may struggle to complete their tasks. They may have difficulty understanding social boundaries or interrupting people when they're talking. 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 issues aren't serious enough to require attention, or that they should be in a position to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be scared of the stigma that comes from being diagnosed with ADHD and this can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD can become depressed or suicidal. They could also resort to unhealthy strategies for coping, such as drinking or using substances. This could lead to health problems and other issues such as self-harming and non-suicidal (NSSI), including cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often suffering from feelings of inadequacy and chronic stress. This can make it difficult to recognize and articulate the symptoms, and get treatment. It's also common for women to cover up their symptoms or develop strategies to conceal them from others, especially as they get older. Masking can lead to problems at work or school and may affect relationships.
Research suggests that women suffering from ADHD have a higher risk of experiencing rejection sensitivity and having difficulty finding a job. These experiences can cause negative self-talk, which can lead to an insecurity and difficulty in social relationships.
For these reasons, it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to have access to the right diagnosis and treatment. It's crucial that they have access to the right therapist or clinician who is familiar with the challenges both women and girls face with ADHD.
As girls and women grow up, they may encounter societal and cultural expectations that place the bulk of household and parenting duties on them, and that differ from the expectations placed on fathers. These pressures can lead to anxiety and depression and result in a messy and chaotic home environment as well as unfinished projects and the reluctance of girls and women to ask for help.
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 fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms worse and can be misinterpreted as a sign of other issues such as anxiety or mood swings.
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. They are more likely to suffer negative consequences in adulthood, such as relationships, unemployment, and substance abuse. They're also more likely be misdiagnosed than males and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be eliminated by enhancing education and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD for women and girls.