Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggle for years before receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. It can be a real lightbulb moment when they receive a diagnosis.
Symptoms often fluctuate with hormonal changes. For instance, women might be able to notice that their symptoms become more severe during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also can internalize ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This can make it harder to recognize and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed until adulthood, at which point their problems start to affect work or school as well as personal relationships. This is due in part 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 for girls than boys, even when the symptoms are clear (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Attention-deficit ADHD causes women to forget appointments, miss deadlines and lose the track of time, making it difficult for them to plan ahead or organize their thoughts. They also struggle to prioritize tasks. They might also find it difficult to maintain focus on conversations and easily become distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor performance at school or at work which can cause low self-esteem and frustration.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their family, friends and colleagues. Their frustration with their symptoms can increase the misperceptions they face. This can lead to tensions in relationships. They are often dismissed by others as sour or crazy. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD also suffer from a range of emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. These issues can be exacerbated by hormone fluctuations that occur during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy or perimenopausal. During these times, the hormone levels of estrogen decrease and progesterone levels rise which can aggravate ADHD symptoms.
Another reason for inattention ADHD is environmental factors such as a chaotic home environment or work life which lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty staying on track and can become distracted at work, resulting in feelings of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also have difficulty accepting criticism or negative feedback, which can further erode their confidence and cause them to avoid social interactions.
Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from coexisting anxiety or depression and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which can make them more reluctant to commit to a relationship. This can cause isolation which can lead to depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Many women who are not diagnosed with ADHD have low self-esteem as they struggle to manage the condition. Some may say that they're careless or forgetful. They may adopt unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. attention deficit disorder in women may also resort to non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning, or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This is because the signs of depression and anxiety are often similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may also suffer from mood swings, which can make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can be triggered by major changes in your life like getting married, starting an entirely new job or having children.
Inattentional inattention that is not diagnosed ADHD in adults is prevalent, and could be mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include trouble staying focused and a feeling of despair or sadness, and difficulty handling criticism and stress. These symptoms, when paired with poor time management, can cause problems at school or work and with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in women and girls can lead to problems with the ability to cope, including procrastination, and a tendency to underestimate how long tasks will take (time blindness). They can have trouble keeping track of their schedules and appointments, easily lose or misplace items and are prone to flitting from one task to another. They might also be struggling with the ability to control their impulses. This could mean making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD should understand their symptoms and seek help. They can seek help through their primary care physician or mental health specialist. Additionally, they can try to improve their coping abilities by making use of organizational strategies, such as making lists or planning ahead. They can also engage in exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that boost focus and attention. It is also a good idea to divide up household and caregiving responsibilities with their partner or other support network, so they don't get overwhelmed by chores or errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually include therapy and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines can help to reduce the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. The behavioral therapy method is a great option to treat the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Some therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to modify negative thoughts and behaviors and others provide one-on-one therapy to improve self-esteem and emotional control. Support groups can help people with ADHD connect with others who suffer from the disorder and share tips for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD may be a challenge for some women to accept. Some women may think that their issues stem from a lack of discipline or a poor parenting style. This can affect their self-esteem. They may be embarrassed and ashamed due to their inability to maintain their school schedule or work.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes such as those that happen during menstrual cycle and pregnancy or menopausal. This can make it difficult to cope with emotional manifestations like mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can also contribute to relationship difficulties due to the way they are perceived by other people, especially male friends or colleagues.
Women who are not attentive ADHD often have difficulty maintaining a steady home life and this can lead to problems at work or school. They may, for instance, forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They may have problems organizing their work or school materials and might be unable to complete tasks. They might have trouble understanding social boundaries and interrupting other people when they are talking. These issues can result in conflict in relationships and affect a woman’s self-esteem.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD find it difficult to seek help. They might think that their problems are not sufficient to warrant attention or they believe that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They might also be scared of the stigma that comes 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 might also adopt unhealthy coping strategies, such alcohol or substance abuse. This can lead to health issues and other issues, such as self-harming that is not suicidal (NSSI) which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have to deal with feelings of inadequacy or chronic stress. This makes it harder to identify and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often hide symptoms or employ compensatory strategies, particularly as they get older, to conceal the signs. Masking can lead to difficulties at work or school and may cause relationships to suffer.
Research has shown that women with ADHD are more at likelihood of experiencing sensitivity to rejection and having difficulty finding a job. These experiences can lead to negative self-talk, which can lead to a lack of confidence and difficulty with interpersonal relationships.
It is essential that women suffering from ADHD receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also essential that they have a clinician or therapist who is familiar with the unique challenges girls and women face with the disorder.
As girls and women mature and become more independent, they are likely to be confronted with the expectations of society and culture that place the majority of the household and parenting responsibility on them. These expectations differ from those placed on men. These pressures can cause anxiety and depression and result in a messy and chaotic home as well as unfinished projects and a reluctance for girls and women to reach out for help.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of adolescence are also common in females with ADHD. These symptoms can be made worse by the fluctuation in hormones, and may be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood shifts.
Women with ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes in adulthood, such as unemployment, relationship issues and abuse of substances. They're also more likely to be misdiagnosed compared to men and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be closed through increased education and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals and teachers as well as parents recognize the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women.