Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women had to struggle for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. It can be a real moment of lightbulb when they are diagnosed.
The symptoms can change with hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms worsen when they are experiencing menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to be prone to internalizing ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD typically are not diagnosed until the age of adulthood, when their problems begin to impact with school, work and personal relationships. This is because of gender bias in clinical settings and in parents' and teachers perceptions. Teachers and parents are less likely than boys to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines, and lose track of the time. They also have difficulty managing their thoughts or making plans for the future. They may also have trouble maintaining focus during conversations, and be easily distracted by external stimuli, internal thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor school or work performance, which leads to low self-esteem and frustration.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their family, friends and coworkers. Their frustration with their symptoms can increase the misperceptions they face. This can result in strained relations. They are often dismissed as irrational and moody, which can further increase their feelings of being misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD may also be suffering from anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations, like when menstrual cycle is in full swing or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. During this time estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels rise, which can exacerbate ADHD.
Another reason for inattention ADHD is environmental factors, like a chaotic home or work environment which lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD often have trouble staying focused at work and can fall behind quickly, which results in a feeling of self-doubt and a sense of failure. They might also find it difficult to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further diminish confidence and cause people to avoid social interaction.
Women with inattention ADHD have a greater tendency to struggle with developing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely than the rest to be suffering from depression or anxiety, and are more susceptible to rejection. This can make them less willing to risk a romantic relationship. This can lead them to feel isolated and can lead to anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD frequently suffer from low self-esteem as a result of their struggle to deal with. They can be discouraged by criticism from people who say they are reckless or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They might develop unhealthy coping methods like excessive drinking or drugs. They might also resort to self-injury that is not suicide-related, such as cutting, burning, or scratching. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work, and school.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. This is because the symptoms of depression and anxiety are typically similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Furthermore women with undiagnosed ADHD can experience mood swings that make them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be caused by major life changes, such as getting married, starting in a new job, or becoming a parent.
Undiagnosed inattention ADHD in adults is also common, and can be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. The symptoms include trouble staying focused as well as feelings of despair or sadness, and difficulties in coping with stress and criticism. These symptoms, when paired with poor time management, can cause difficulties at work or in school and with family members and friends.
inattentive add in women can lead to problems with coping abilities in girls and women, which can include procrastination or a tendency of underestimating the time the task will take (timeblindness). They can have trouble keeping track of schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace their belongings, and are prone to flitting between tasks. They also may have issues with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making impulsive choices.
It is essential for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD to be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment from their primary care physician or a mental health specialist. They can also try to improve their coping skills by using organizational techniques, such as making lists or preparing in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters, which enhance concentration and attention. It is also an excellent idea to split up household and caregiving responsibilities with their spouse or another support network, so they don't get stressed by chores or running run-of-the-mill chores.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is often needed to manage ADHD symptoms, which includes medication and therapy. Drugs that stimulate the brain, like amphetamines and methylphenidate can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy can help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in which they instruct people on how to change negative thoughts or behaviors. Others provide one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem as well as emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people who suffer from ADHD to connect with others who have the same disorder and to learn how to manage their symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattention ADHD can be difficult to accept. Some women may think that their issues result from a lack of discipline or a lack of parenting. This could affect their self-esteem. They might be embarrassed and ashamed by their inability maintain their school schedule or work.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes like those that occur during menstruation and pregnancy or menopausal. This can make it more difficult to cope with emotional symptoms, like mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can cause relationship problems because of how they are perceived by others.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to maintain an orderly family life. This can cause difficulties at work or school. For instance, they might forget important appointments, or pay their bills late. They may have problems organizing their school or work materials and may struggle to complete their tasks. They might have trouble in recognizing social boundaries or interrupting other people while they are talking. These issues can create conflicts in relationships and impact a woman's overall perception of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to ask for help. They might think that their issues aren't sufficient to warrant attention, or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They might also be afraid of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make it difficult for them to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD may develop depression or suicidal. They may also turn to unhealthy coping behaviors such as drinking alcohol or drug abuse, which can cause health problems and other issues, like self-injury that is not suicidal (NSSI), which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle with feelings of inadequacy or chronic stress. This can make it harder to identify and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. It's also common for women to cover up their symptoms or devise strategies to conceal them from others, particularly as they age. Masking can cause difficulties at school or work and can result in relationships being damaged.
Additionally, research has shown that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than males to experience symptoms relating to sensitivity to rejection, and to have trouble finding jobs. These experiences can lead to negative self-talk which leads to a lack of confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
This is why it's important for women with ADHD to have access to the right diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they have access to the right therapist or clinician who is knowledgeable about the issues that women and girls face with ADHD.
As girls and women grow older, they could be confronted with cultural and societal expectations that place the majority of the household and parenting responsibilities on them, and differ from the expectations placed on fathers. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety and lead to chaotic, unorganized homes, unfinished projects and a reluctance to ask for help or admit they are struggling.
The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoria as well as the adolescent years are also common among females with ADHD. These symptoms can be made worse by the fluctuation in hormones, and may be mistaken for anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women with ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. Because of this, they are more likely to experience a variety of negative outcomes as they age, including relationships, unemployment and substance use. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the duration of their lives. This gap can be closed through increased education and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD for women and girls.