Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a lightbulb moment when they are diagnosed.
Symptoms often fluctuate with hormonal changes. For example, women may be able to notice that their symptoms become more severe during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to accept their ADHD characteristics, which can lead to depression. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD tend to not be diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their problems begin to impact with school, work, and personal relationships. This is partly due to gender biases in both clinical settings and the perceptions of parents and teachers who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms for girls than boys, even when the symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, forget deadlines, and lose track of time. They also have difficulty prioritizing tasks, organizing their thoughts, or making plans for the future. They may also have difficulty staying focused during conversations, and become easily distracted by external stimuli, internal thoughts or daydreaming. These issues can lead to poor school or work performance and can lead to low self-esteem and anger.
Family members, friends and colleagues often misunderstand women who have inattention ADHD. Their discontent with their condition can increase the misperceptions they experience. This can lead to tensions in relationships. They are often dismissed as being irrational and moody which can increase their feelings of being misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD may also be suffering from anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations, like during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. During these times, the estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels increase and can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms.
Another cause of inattentive ADHD is environmental factors, like a chaotic house environment or a work schedule which lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD often have trouble staying on task at work and can be unable to keep up with their work, which can lead to feelings of failure and low self-esteem. They may also have difficulty accepting negative feedback or criticism, which can further erode their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to have difficulty establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from coexisting anxiety or depression and are more prone to rejection, which may cause them to be more reluctant to commit to a relationship. This can cause them to feel lonely and can lead to anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Often, women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem while trying to manage the disorder. People may tell them that they're careless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping methods like excessive drinking or drugs. They may also resort non-suicidal methods of self-injury like cutting, burning, or scratching. adhd symptoms women of ADHD can affect relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are often more likely to be misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This is because the symptoms of depression and anxiety are typically similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might also suffer from mood swings, which can make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life changes, such as getting married, starting a new job or becoming a parent.
Undiagnosed inattention ADHD in adults is also prevalent, and could be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating or concentrating, as well as feelings like sadness or hopelessness, as well as difficulties handling stress and criticism. These symptoms, when paired with poor time management, can result in problems at school or work as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in girls and women can affect the ability to cope, including procrastination and a tendency to underestimate the time tasks will take (time blindness). They may struggle to keep the track of their schedules and appointments and lose or misplace items quickly, and easily jump from one task to the next. They also may have issues with impulse control, like interrupting others or making decisions impulsively.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD must be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek help through their primary care physician or a mental health specialist. Additionally they can improve their coping skills making use of strategies for organizing, such as making lists or making plans. Exercise releases neurotransmitters, which enhance concentration and attention. It is also recommended to divide up household and caregiving responsibilities with their partner or other family members, so they are not overwhelmed by chores or errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually involve medication and therapy. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines may aid in reducing the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can aid in the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), in which they help people modify negative thoughts or behaviors. Other therapists offer one-onone therapy that focuses on self-esteem as well as emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people with ADHD to connect with other people who share the same condition and to learn how to manage their symptoms.
For some women, the diagnosis of inattention ADHD is difficult to accept. They might believe that their troubles result from a lack of discipline or bad parenting, and this can impact their self-esteem. In addition, they could feel frustrated by their inability to keep up with their work or school, which can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Symptoms of ADHD can be heightened during hormonal changes, such as those caused by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopausal. This can make it harder to deal with emotional manifestations such as irritability or mood swings. These symptoms can also lead to relationship problems because of how they are perceived by other people.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to keep a stable family life. This can cause difficulties at work or school. For example, they might not remember important appointments or pay bills late. They might have issues organizing their work or school supplies, and they may be unable to complete tasks. They might be unable to comprehend the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt others while they talk. These problems can cause conflict in relationships and affect a woman's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD find it difficult to seek help. They may think that their difficulties are not enough serious to warrant attention or that they should be capable of "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They may also be scared of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD which can make it more difficult to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD can be depressed or suicidal. They could also resort to unhealthy strategies for coping, such as drinking or using substances. This could lead to health problems and other issues such as 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. adhd symptoms women can make it more difficult to identify and explain the symptoms and seek treatment. It's also common for women to mask their symptoms or develop strategies to conceal them from others, especially as they age. Masking can cause issues at work or at school and may affect relationships.
Research suggests that women suffering from ADHD are at a higher likelihood of experiencing sensitivity to rejection and finding it difficult to get a job. These experiences can lead to negative self-talk which leads to a lack of confidence and difficulty with interpersonal relationships.
For these reasons, it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to have access to proper diagnosis and treatment. It's also essential that they have a clinician or therapy professional who is knowledgeable of the unique challenges that females and girls face with the disorder.
As girls and women grow older as they get older, they will be faced with the expectations of society and culture that place the majority of parenting and household responsibility on them. These expectations are different from those placed on men. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety and can lead to chaotic, unorganized living spaces, incomplete projects and a reluctance to ask for help or admit that they are struggling.
It's also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms related to puberty and adolescence, and to struggle with premenstrual dysphoria. The fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms more severe and can be mistaken for other issues like anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women suffering from ADHD often experience a lack of awareness about their condition, and are less likely to seek treatment than males. This means that they're more at risk of negative outcomes as adults, including unemployment, relationship problems and addiction. They're also more likely to be misdiagnosed than men and are more likely to remain undiagnosed throughout their lives. This gap can be closed by enhancing awareness and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the symptoms of ADHD for women and girls.