Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a moment of lightbulb when they are diagnosed.
The symptoms can 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 internalize their ADHD characteristics, which can lead to depression. This can make it more difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed until adulthood, at which point their problems begin to affect their work, school, and personal relationships. This is due in part to gender biases in clinical settings and in the perceptions of teachers and parents 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 the time. They also have difficulty prioritizing tasks, organizing their thoughts, or making plans for the future. They may be unable to keep their attention on conversations and may get distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These issues can lead to poor school or work performance, which leads to low self-esteem and anger.
Family members, friends and coworkers are often misinformed about women who have inattention ADHD. Their frustration with their symptoms can lead to confusion and mistrust and can cause difficult relationships. They are often dismissed as moody and irrational, which can further increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD are also susceptible to anxiety and depression. These problems can be exacerbated due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause. During these times, the hormone levels of estrogen decrease and progesterone rises, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
External factors can also contribute to inattentive ADHD like the chaos of your home or in a workplace without a clear structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty staying on task and become distracted at work, resulting in a feeling of failure and low confidence. They might also have difficulty accepting criticism or negative feedback which can further undermine their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
Women with inattentive ADHD have a higher tendency to have difficulty establishing and maintaining romantic relations. They are more likely to have coexisting anxiety or depression and are more prone to rejection, which can make them less willing to risk a relationship. This can cause them to feel alone, which can contribute to anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Most women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem while trying to cope with the disorder. They might be discouraged by criticism from people who say they are reckless or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They may develop unhealthy ways of coping like excessive drinking or use of drugs. They may also resort to self-injury that is not suicide-related, such as cutting or burning. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This is because many of the symptoms of these disorders are similar with the symptoms of ADHD. In addition, women who have undiagnosed ADHD may experience mood swings that cause them to appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be caused by major life events, such as getting married, beginning a new job or becoming a mother.
Inattentional inattention that is not diagnosed ADHD in adults is also frequent, and is often mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating, feelings such as despair or sadness, as well as difficulties managing stress and criticism. When combined with poor time management, these signs could cause problems at work or school and can cause issues with family and friends.
Inattentive ADHD can lead to problems with coping abilities in women and girls, including procrastination or a tendency of underestimating the time a task will take (timeblindness). They can have trouble keeping track of their schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace items and are prone to jump from one task to the next. They may also struggle with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
It is crucial for women with undiagnosed ADHD to be aware of their symptoms and get help. They can seek help from their primary healthcare provider or a mental health specialist. Additionally, they can try to improve their coping abilities by employing organizational strategies, such as making lists or making plans. They can also take part in exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that boost focus and attention. It's also a good idea for them to share household and caregiver tasks with their spouse or a different support system to ensure they aren't overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is usually needed to manage ADHD symptoms, including therapy and medication. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy is a good way to help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in which they instruct people on how to change negative thoughts or behaviors. Some offer one-on-one therapy which focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for those suffering from ADHD to meet other people who have the same disorder and to learn how to manage symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattention ADHD is difficult to accept. Some women may think that their issues result from a lack of discipline or a poor parenting style. This could impact their self-esteem. They may also feel embarrassed and ashamed because they are unable to keep up with school or work.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes such as those that occur during menstruation or pregnancy, or menopausal. This can make it more difficult to deal with emotional manifestations such as anger or mood swings. These symptoms can cause relationship problems due to how they are perceived by others, especially male friends or colleagues.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to ensure a stable home life. This can cause difficulties at school or at work. For example, they might not remember important appointments or pay bills late. They may have trouble organizing their school or work materials, and they may be unable to finish assignments. They may have difficulty understanding social boundaries and interrupting others while they talk. These issues can lead to conflicts in relationships and affect a woman's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to ask for 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 might also be scared of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD which could make them less likely to seek treatment. If left untreated, ADHD in women can cause depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also engage in unhealthy coping behaviors like alcohol or drug abuse, which can lead to health issues and other issues, such as self-injury that is not suicidal (NSSI), which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD are often plagued by feelings of inadequacy and constant stress. This can make it 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 their symptoms from others, particularly as they get older. Masking can lead to difficulties at school or work and can cause relationships to suffer.
Research shows that women with ADHD have a higher likelihood of experiencing sensitivity to rejection and finding it difficult to get a job. These experiences can lead to negative thoughts, which can lead to a lack in confidence and problems in interpersonal relationships.
For these reasons, it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to have access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment. adult add women that they can access a clinician or therapist that is aware of the difficulties that girls and women face with ADHD.
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 parenting and household responsibilities on them. These expectations are different from those imposed on men. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety, and result in chaotic, unorganized living spaces, incomplete projects and a reluctance to ask for help or admit that they have a problem.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of adolescence are also common in females with ADHD. The fluctuations in hormone levels can cause these symptoms to become more severe, and they might be mistaken for other issues such as anxiety or mood shifts.
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. As a result, they are more likely to experience a variety of negative outcomes as adults, including relationship issues, unemployment, and substance use. They are also more likely to be misdiagnosed than men and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be lowered by increasing education and advocating for health professionals as well as teachers and parents to be aware of the symptoms of ADHD among girls and women.