Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggle for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a lightbulb moment when they receive a diagnosis.
The symptoms may change due to hormonal changes. For instance, women could be able to notice that their symptoms become more severe during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women can also take on their ADHD characteristics, which can lead to depression. This can make it harder to be diagnosed and treated for their ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect work or school as well as personal relationships. This is partly due to gender biases in 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 if the symptoms are clear (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Inattentive ADHD causes women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose the track of time, making it hard to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They may be unable to maintain focus on conversations and easily become distracted by external stimuli or their own internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor school or work performance and can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood and mistreated by their family, friends and colleagues. Their anger over their symptoms can increase the misperceptions they face. This can lead to tensions between people. They are often dismissed as moody and irrational, which can further aggravate their feelings of being misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD also experience various emotional issues, including depression and anxiety. These problems can be exacerbated due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. In this time, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise, which can worsen ADHD.
The environment can also trigger inattentive ADHD for example, an unorganized home or in a workplace that is not structured. add in adult women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty keeping on track and may become distracted at work, which can lead to feelings of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also find it difficult to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further undermine confidence and cause people to avoid social interactions.
In addition, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely to have depression or anxiety that is co-existing and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which could cause them to be more reluctant to risk a relationship. This can cause them to feel isolated which can cause anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Often, women with undiagnosed ADHD have low self-esteem as they struggle to manage the disorder. They may become discouraged by comments from others that they are negligent or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They might develop unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. They might also turn to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting, burning, or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women with ADHD tend to be misdiagnosed more often as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is because the signs of anxiety and depression are often similar to those of ADHD. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might also experience mood swings, making them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life changes, such as getting married, beginning a new job or becoming a mother.
Undiagnosed inattentive ADHD in adults is also prevalent, and could be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty staying focused and a feeling of despair or sadness, and difficulty handling criticism and stress. In conjunction with poor time management, these issues could cause problems at work or school and cause problems with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD for girls and women can cause trouble with the ability to cope, including procrastination and the tendency to underestimate how long tasks will take (time blindness). They may have trouble keeping track of appointments and schedules, misplace or lose belongings easily, and flit from one task to the next. They may also struggle with impulse control, such as interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD should understand their symptoms and seek help. They can seek treatment through their primary care provider or mental health specialist. In addition they can improve their coping skills by using strategies for organizing, such as writing lists or preparing ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve focus and attention. It is also recommended to divide the caregiving and household responsibilities with their partner or other family members, so they aren't overwhelmed by chores or other errands.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is typically required to control ADHD symptoms, which can include therapy and medication. Stimulant medications like amphetamines and methylphenidate can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy is a great method to address the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is where 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 with ADHD to meet other people who share the same condition and learn about how to manage symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be a challenge for some women to accept. They might believe that their issues result from the lack of discipline or bad parenting, and this can impact their self-esteem. Additionally, they might be frustrated with their inability to keep up with work or school, and this can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that happen during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it more difficult to deal with emotional symptoms, like mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can cause problems in relationships due to the way they are perceived by others, especially male colleagues or partners.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to keep an orderly family life. This can lead to difficulties at work or school. For instance, they might forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They might have issues organizing their work or school supplies and might have difficulty completing tasks. They may have difficulty in recognizing social boundaries or interrupting others while they talk. These problems can lead to conflicts in relationships, and impact a woman's self-esteem.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are unable to seek help. They may believe that their problems aren't serious enough to require attention or that they should be capable of "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be scared of the stigma associated when they are diagnosed with ADHD and this can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women with untreated ADHD can become depressed or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy coping methods, such as alcohol or drug abuse, which can result in health issues and other issues, such as self-injury that is not suicidal (NSSI), which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD often have to cope with feelings of inadequateness or constant stress. This can make it more difficult to recognize and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. It is also common for women to cover up their symptoms or develop strategies to conceal their symptoms from others, particularly as they age. Masking can lead to problems at work or at school and can affect relationships.
Research shows that women with ADHD are more at likelihood of experiencing sensitivity to rejection and finding it difficult to get a job. These experiences can reinforce negative thoughts that lead to a lack of confidence and issues with interpersonal relationships.
It is crucial that women with ADHD receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also crucial to have a therapist or therapist who is familiar with the unique challenges that females and girls face with the disorder.
As women and girls mature as they get older, they will be faced with social and cultural expectations that place the majority of household and parenting responsibilities on them. These expectations are different from those placed on men. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety and lead to chaotic, messy home environments, unfinished projects, and a refusal to seek help or admit they have a problem.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of the adolescent years are also common among females with ADHD. The monthly fluctuations in hormone levels can cause these symptoms to become more severe, and they might be misinterpreted as a sign of other issues like anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. They are more likely to experience negative outcomes as they age including relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. They are also more likely to be misdiagnosed compared to men, and to go undiagnosed throughout their lives. This gap can be eliminated by increasing education and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD in women and girls.
