Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have struggled for a long time before they were diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it could be like a lightbulb moment.
The symptoms can change with hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms worsen during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to be prone to internalizing ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This can make it harder to recognize and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed until adulthood, at which point their problems start to affect work or school as well as personal relationships. This is partly due to gender biases 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 if the symptoms are clear (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Inattentive ADHD causes women to forget appointments, miss deadlines and lose track of time, which makes it difficult to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They may also have trouble maintaining focus during conversations, and become easily distracted by external stimuli, internal thoughts or daydreaming. These issues can result in poor performance at work or in school, which can lead to low self-esteem.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by friends, family and coworkers. Their discontent with their condition can lead to confusion and mistrust which can result in strained relationships. They are often dismissed by others as sour or uninformed. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD also experience a variety of emotional difficulties that include anxiety and depression. These issues can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, such as during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal. At these times, estrogen levels drop and progesterone rises which can aggravate ADHD symptoms.
Another reason for inattention ADHD is environmental factors like a chaotic house environment or work life that lacks structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty staying on track and can get behind in their work, which can lead to a feeling of being unworthy and low confidence. They may also have a harder time accepting criticism or negative feedback which can further degrade their confidence and result in them avoiding social interactions.
In addition, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety that is co-existing and are more prone to rejection, which can cause them to be more reluctant to commit to a relationship. This can cause them to feel alone which can cause depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Many women who are not diagnosed with ADHD suffer from low self-esteem as they struggle to manage the condition. Some may say that they are reckless or forgetful. They may develop unhealthy coping methods like excessive drinking or drug use. They might also turn to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting or burning. The symptoms of ADHD can interfere with relationships at work, school, and other activities.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. This is due to the fact that many of the symptoms of these disorders are similar with the symptoms of ADHD. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might also suffer from mood swings, which can make them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can be caused by major life changes like getting married, starting new jobs, or becoming parents.
Undiagnosed inattentive ADHD in adults is also common, and can be mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating, feelings such as sadness or hopelessness and difficulties managing stress and criticism. These symptoms, when combined with poor time-management, can lead to problems at school or work and with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD in girls and women can lead to problems with managing skills, like procrastination, and a tendency to underestimate how long tasks will take (time blindness). They may have difficulty keeping the track of their schedules and appointments and lose or misplace items easily, and flit from one task to the next. add in women test may also have issues with impulse control. This could include making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
It is crucial for women with undiagnosed ADHD to understand the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment from their primary healthcare provider or a mental health professional. Additionally, they can try to improve their coping abilities by using organizational strategies, such as making lists or preparing ahead. They can also engage in physical exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that improve focus and attention. It's also an excellent idea to share household and caregiving tasks with their spouse or another support group so that they aren't overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is typically needed to manage ADHD symptoms, which includes therapy and medication. Stimulant medications like amphetamines and methylphenidate can reduce ADHD symptoms of inattention. Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can aid in the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is where they help people change negative thoughts or behavior. Others provide one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem as well as emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people suffering from ADHD to meet other people who share the same condition and to learn how to manage their symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD can be a challenge for some women to accept. They may believe that their issues result from a lack of discipline or bad parenting, and this can impact their self-esteem. Additionally, they might feel frustrated by their inability to keep up with their work or school, which can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment.
The symptoms of ADHD are more severe when hormonal changes occur like those brought on by menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal. This can make it harder to deal with emotional manifestations such as irritability or mood swings. These symptoms can also cause problems in relationships due to how they are perceived by others, particularly male colleagues or partners.
Women who are not attentive ADHD frequently struggle to maintain a stable home life, and this can cause issues at school or at work. For instance, they could forget important appointments or pay bills late. They may have problems organizing their work or school supplies and may have difficulty completing tasks. They may have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt other people while talking. These issues can create conflict in relationships and affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD have difficulty asking for assistance. They may think that their problems are not severe enough to warrant attention or they believe that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be afraid of the stigma that comes from being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD may develop depression or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy strategies for coping, such as alcohol or drug abuse. This could lead to health problems and other issues like nonsuicidal harming themselves (NSSI) which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have to deal with feelings of inadequateness or chronic stress. This can make it harder to recognize and communicate symptoms and seek treatment. It is also common for women to cover up their symptoms or develop compensatory strategies to hide their symptoms from others, particularly as they age. Masking can lead to difficulties at school or at work and may cause relationships to suffer.
In addition, research shows that women with ADHD are more likely than males to experience symptoms relating to rejection sensitivity, and to have trouble finding jobs. These experiences can lead to negative thoughts that lead to a lack of confidence and issues in interpersonal relationships.
For these reasons, it's crucial for women suffering from ADHD to have access to proper diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they can access a clinician or therapist that is familiar with the challenges that girls and women confront with ADHD.
As women and girls grow older, they could encounter cultural and social norms that place the majority of household and parenting duties on them, and which differ from those imposed on fathers. These pressures can cause anxiety and depression and lead to chaotic, messy homes, unfinished projects and a lack of willingness to seek assistance or admit that they are struggling.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of 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 misinterpreted as other problems like anxiety or mood shifts.
Women suffering from ADHD often experience a lack of awareness about their condition, and they're less likely to seek treatment than men. They are more likely to experience negative outcomes as they age which include unemployment, relationship issues, and substance abuse. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the duration of their lives. This gap can be closed by enhancing education and advocacy efforts to help health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD in girls and women.