Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a lightbulb moment when they receive a diagnosis.
The symptoms often change in response to hormonal changes. Women might be aware that their symptoms are worse when they are experiencing menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women can also internalize ADHD traits which leads to depression. This can make it harder to identify and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their problems start to affect work at school, as well as personal relationships. This is partly due to gender biases in both clinical settings as well as in the perceptions of teachers and parents who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys even when the symptoms are evident (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Inattentive ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines and lose track of the time. They also have difficulty managing their thoughts, or planning ahead. They might also find it difficult to focus on conversations and easily be distracted by external stimuli or their own internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor work or school performance, which leads to low self-esteem and anger.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood and mistreated by their family, friends and coworkers. Their frustration with their symptoms increases the mistrust they face, and this can lead to difficult relationships. They are often viewed as moody and irrational, which can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattention ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations, such as when menstrual cycle is in full swing or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. During these times, the hormone levels of estrogen decrease and progesterone levels increase which can aggravate ADHD symptoms.
Another cause of inattentive ADHD is environmental factors, such as a chaotic home environment or a work schedule that lacks structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD often have trouble staying focused at work and may get behind in their work. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and a sense of failure. They might also have difficulty accepting negative feedback or criticism which can further undermine their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
In addition, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties in establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely than others to be suffering from depression or anxiety, and are more susceptible to rejection. This can make them less willing to risk a romantic connection. This can cause isolation, which can also contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety.
adhd in adult women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem as they struggle to manage the disorder. They might be depressed by comments from other people that they are careless or forgetful. They might adopt unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or use of drugs. They may also resort to non-suicidal methods of self-injury like cutting, burning or scratching. Symptoms of ADHD can interfere with relationships at work, school, and other activities.
Women and girls with ADHD tend to be mistakenly diagnosed more often as having depressive or anxiety disorders. This is because a lot of symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of ADHD. Furthermore, women who have undiagnosed ADHD can experience mood swings that cause them to appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be brought on by major life events like getting married, starting in a new job or becoming a mother.
Adults who have inattentive ADHD are often misdiagnosed, and may be mistaken for borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating and a feeling of despair or sadness, and difficulties in coping with stress and criticism. These symptoms, when paired with poor time management, can result in issues at work or school as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD can lead to problems with coping skills for women and girls, including procrastination, or underestimating the time an activity will take (timeblindness). They may have difficulty keeping the track of their schedules and appointments and may lose or misplace their belongings quickly, and easily jump from one task to the next. They might also be struggling with the ability to control their impulses. This could include making impulsive choices or interrupting others.
It is important for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD to understand their symptoms and seek help. They can seek help from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. In addition they can improve their coping skills using methods of organization, like making lists or making plans. They can also participate in exercises, which release neurotransmitters that improve focus and attention. It's also recommended for them to share household and caregiving tasks with their spouse or a different support system so that they don't feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually include medication and therapy. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy is a great method to address the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Some therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people to change negative thoughts and behavior and others provide one-on-one therapy to improve self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people who suffer from ADHD to connect with other people with the same diagnosis and learn about ways to manage their symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD may be a challenge for some women to accept. They may believe that their issues are due to the lack of discipline or poor parenting, and this may affect their self-esteem. They may also feel embarrassed and ashamed because they are unable to maintain their school schedule or work.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it more difficult to manage emotional manifestations such as mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can also cause issues in relationships due to how they are perceived by others.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to keep a stable home life. This can lead to problems at school or at work. They might, for example, forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They may have trouble organizing their work or school materials, and they might struggle to complete assignments. They may have difficulty in recognizing social boundaries or interrupting other people while they talk. These issues can create conflicts in relationships and affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to ask for help. They may think that their symptoms aren't sufficient to warrant attention or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be afraid of the stigma associated when they are 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 engage in unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or substance abuse. This can lead to health issues and other issues such as self-harming that is not suicidal (NSSI) which includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often affected by feelings of inadequateness and chronic stress. This can make it more difficult to identify and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. It's also common for women to mask their symptoms or develop strategies to conceal their symptoms from others, particularly as they age. Masking can cause issues at school or work and can affect relationships.
In addition, research shows that women with ADHD are more likely than males to experience symptoms relating to rejection sensitivity, and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can lead to negative thoughts that can lead to a lack of confidence and difficulties with interpersonal relationships.
It is crucial that women suffering from ADHD receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they can access the right therapist or clinician who is aware of the difficulties both women and girls have to face when dealing with ADHD.
As women and girls mature and become more independent, they are likely to be confronted with societal and cultural expectations which place the majority of the household and parenting responsibility on them. These expectations are different from those placed on men. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety. They can also result in a disorganized and chaotic home environment with unfinished projects, as well as the reluctance of girls and women to reach out for assistance.
The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoria as well as the adolescent years are also common among females suffering from ADHD. The fluctuation in hormone levels can make these symptoms worse, and they might be mistaken for other issues such as anxiety or mood swings.
Women with ADHD often experience an absence of awareness of their condition, and they're less likely to receive treatment than men. This means that they're more at risk of negative outcomes as adults such as unemployment, relationship problems and addiction. They're also more likely to be misdiagnosed than men, and to go undiagnosed throughout their lives. This gap can be lowered by educating the public and advocating for health professionals, parents and teachers to recognize the signs of ADHD for women and girls.