Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have to struggle for years before receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. When they do, it can be like an epiphany.
Symptoms often fluctuate with hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms worsen when they are experiencing menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also can internalize ADHD traits that lead to depression. This can make it harder to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD tend to not be diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their problems start to interfere with school, work, and personal relationships. This is due to gender bias, both in clinical settings and in parents' and teachers perceptions. Girls are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines, and lose track of time. They also have trouble managing their thoughts, or making plans for the future. They may also have trouble keeping their attention during conversations and become easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor school or work performance, which leads to feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration.
Family members, friends and colleagues often misunderstand women with inattentive ADHD. Their frustration with their symptoms can increase the misperceptions they encounter. This can result in tensions in relationships. They are often dismissed by others as sour or irrational. This can increase their feeling of being untrusted.
Women with inattentive ADHD are also afflicted by various emotional issues that include anxiety and depression. These problems can be exacerbated due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance during menstruation, pregnancy, or perimenopause. During this time estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise, which can worsen ADHD.
External factors can also contribute to inattentive ADHD, such as a chaotic environment at home or at work without a clear structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty keeping on track and may become distracted at work, resulting in a feeling of being unworthy and low confidence. They might also find it difficult to accept negative feedback or criticism. conversational tone can further diminish confidence and cause people to avoid social interactions.
Women with inattention ADHD have a higher tendency to have difficulty developing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety and are more prone to rejection, which could cause them to be more reluctant to risk a relationship. This can cause isolation and can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD often have low self-esteem as a result of their struggle to deal with. People may tell them that they are careless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drug use. They may also resort to self-injury without suicide, like cutting or burning. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are often frequently misdiagnosed as having depressive or anxiety disorders. This is because the signs of depression and anxiety are often similar to those of ADHD. In addition women who are not diagnosed with ADHD can experience mood swings that cause them to appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can be caused by major life changes, such as marriage, starting an entirely new job, or becoming parents.
Adults who have inattentive ADHD are also often misdiagnosed and are often mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating and feelings of sadness or hopelessness, as well as difficulties dealing with criticism and stress. In conjunction with poor time management, these signs could cause problems at school or at work, and lead to difficulties with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD can cause problems with coping abilities in women and girls, including procrastination, or underestimating the time the task will take (timeblindness). They may struggle to keep the track of their schedules and appointments, misplace or lose belongings easily, and flit from one task to the next. They also may have issues with impulse control, such as interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
It is important for women with undiagnosed ADHD to understand their symptoms and get help. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. In addition they can improve their coping skills by employing strategies for organizing, such as making lists or making plans. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve concentration and attention. It's also recommended for them to share household and caregiver tasks with their spouse or another support network so that they don't feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is typically required to control ADHD symptoms, including medication and therapy. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines 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 teach people how to modify negative thoughts or behaviors. Other therapists offer one-onone therapy which focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are a great way for people who suffer from ADHD to connect with other people who have the same disorder and learn about ways to manage their symptoms.
For some women, the diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be difficult to accept. They may believe that their troubles result from a lack of discipline or poor parenting, which can impact their self-esteem. In addition, they may be frustrated with their inability to keep up with their work or school, and this could lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes like those that occur during menstruation and pregnancy or menopausal. This makes it more difficult to deal with emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can cause relationship problems because of how they are perceived by others.
Women who are not attentive ADHD often struggle to maintain an orderly home life, and this can lead to difficulties at school or at work. They may, for instance forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They may have issues organizing their school or work materials, and may have difficulty completing assignments. They may have difficulty understanding the social boundaries and interrupting other people while they are talking. These problems can lead to conflict in relationships and impact a woman's self-esteem.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD have difficulty asking for assistance. adult add in women may believe that their difficulties are not sufficient to warrant attention or that they should be in a position to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They may also be scared of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD which could make it harder for them to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD can become depressed or suicidal. They may also turn to unhealthy coping behaviors such as drinking alcohol or substance abuse, which can result in health problems and other issues, such as self-injury that is not suicidal (NSSI) that includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD often have to cope with feelings of inadequateness or chronic stress. This can make it harder to recognize and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often hide symptoms or use compensatory strategies, particularly as they age, to cover the signs. Masking can cause difficulties at school or work, and can result in relationships being damaged.
Additionally, research has shown that women with ADHD are more likely than males to experience symptoms relating to sensitivity to rejection, and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can trigger negative thoughts that lead to a lack of confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
This is why it's important for women with ADHD to be able to access proper diagnosis and treatment. It's important that they have access to the right therapist or clinician who is familiar with the challenges both women and girls face with ADHD.
As girls and women grow up, they may encounter societal and cultural expectations that place the majority of the household and parenting responsibilities on them, and which differ from those placed on fathers. These pressures can increase anxiety and depression and lead to chaotic, messy living spaces, incomplete projects and a lack of willingness to ask for help or admit they are struggling.
It is also common for females suffering from ADHD to experience symptoms related to adolescence and puberty, and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be caused by the monthly fluctuations in hormones, and could be mistaken for anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women with ADHD often experience insufficient awareness of their condition, and they're less likely to seek treatment than men. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes as they age including relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be reduced by increasing education and advocating for health professionals, parents and teachers to recognize the symptoms of ADHD among girls and women.