Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women had to struggle for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a moment of lightbulb when they are diagnosed.
The symptoms can change due to hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms get worse when they are experiencing menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to accept their ADHD traits, which leads to depression. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD tend to not be diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect them with work, school and personal relationships. This is due in part to gender biases in clinical settings as well as in the perceptions of parents and teachers, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys, even if the symptoms are evident (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause women to forget appointments, miss deadlines and lose the track of time, making it difficult to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They may also have difficulty to focus on conversations and can easily get distracted by external stimuli or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor performance at school or at work, which leads to low self-esteem and anger.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their friends, family and coworkers. Their anger over their symptoms can lead to confusion and mistrust which can cause difficult relationships. They are often dismissed by others as moody or crazy. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD also suffer from a range of emotional problems, including depression and anxiety. These issues can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations like during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. In this period, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise which can worsen ADHD.
Environmental factors can also cause inattentive ADHD like a chaotic environment at home or at work with little structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay on track at work and can be unable to keep up with their work, which leads to a sense of failure and low self-esteem. They may also have a harder time accepting negative feedback or criticism, which can further erode their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
Women with inattentive ADHD have a higher tendency to struggle in establishing and maintaining romantic relations. They are more likely than other women to be suffering from depression or anxiety, and they can be more vulnerable to rejection. This can cause them to be less willing to risk a romantic relationship. adhd in women signs can cause isolation which can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Often, women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem when they try to deal with the disorder. Others may comment that they are careless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking or drug use. They might also resort to non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning or scratching. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are often more likely to be misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This is because many of the symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of ADHD. Additionally women who are not diagnosed with ADHD can experience mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can be triggered by major changes in your life such as getting married, starting an entirely new job or having children.
Adults with inattentive ADHD are also often mistakenly diagnosed, and can be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating, feelings such as sadness or despair, as well as difficulties handling stress and criticism. When combined with poor time management, these signs can cause problems at school or at work and cause problems with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD for girls and women can lead to problems with the ability to cope, including procrastination and a tendency to underestimate the length of time tasks will take (time blindness). They can have trouble keeping track of schedules and appointments, easily lose or misplace items and are prone to jump from one task to another. They may also struggle with impulse control, like interrupting others or making decisions impulsively.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD should understand their symptoms and seek help. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. They can also attempt to improve their ability to cope by employing organizational methods like creating lists or planning in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve concentration and attention. It is also recommended to divide the caregiving and household responsibilities with their partner or other family members, so they don't get overwhelmed by chores or errands.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is usually required to control ADHD symptoms, which can include medication and therapy. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines could aid in reducing the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. There are also nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy can help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Therapists may employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to change negative thoughts and behavior and others provide one-on-one therapy to improve self-esteem and emotional control. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with other people who suffer from the disorder and share strategies for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD may be difficult for some women to accept. Some women may believe that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or a poor parenting style. This could impact their self-esteem. In addition, they could be frustrated with their inability to keep up with 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 menstrual cycles and pregnancy or menopausal. This can make it difficult to manage emotional manifestations like mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can cause relationship problems because of how they are perceived by others, especially male friends or colleagues.
Women with inattentive ADHD often have difficulty maintaining a stable home life, and this can cause issues at school or at work. They might, for example, forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They may have trouble organizing their work or school materials, and they may struggle to complete their tasks. They might have trouble understanding social boundaries or interrupting other people while they're talking. These problems can lead to conflict in relationships and can affect women's self-esteem.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD have difficulty asking for assistance. They may think that their problems aren't 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 harder for them to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD can be depressed or suicidal. They could also resort to unhealthy coping strategies, like drinking or using substances. This can cause health problems and other issues, such as self-harming and non-suicidal (NSSI) such as cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often affected by feelings of inadequateness and constant stress. This can make it more difficult to recognize and articulate the symptoms and seek treatment. Women often hide symptoms or use compensatory strategies, particularly as they get older, to conceal their symptoms. Masking can cause problems at school or work and may cause relationships to suffer.
Additionally, research has shown that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms that are related to sensitivity to rejection, and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative self-talk that leads to an insecurity and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
For these reasons, it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to have access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they can access the right therapist or clinician who is knowledgeable about the issues that women and girls confront with ADHD.
As girls and women grow up, they may be confronted with cultural and societal expectations that place the bulk of the household and parenting responsibilities on them, and which differ from those imposed on fathers. These pressures can lead to anxiety and depression and can lead to chaotic, unorganized homes, unfinished projects and a reluctance to ask for help or admit that they have a problem.
Premenstrual dysphoria and other symptoms of adolescence are also common in females who suffer from ADHD. The fluctuation in hormone levels can make these symptoms more severe and could be mistaken for other issues such as anxiety or mood shifts.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes as they age including unemployment, relationship issues, and substance abuse. They are also more likely than men to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the duration of their lives. This gap could be eliminated by increasing education and advocating for health professionals, teachers and parents to recognize the symptoms of ADHD among girls and women.