Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it could be like a lightbulb moment.
Symptoms often fluctuate with hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms get worse during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women may also internalize their ADHD traits, which leads to depression. This makes it harder to identify and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD typically are not diagnosed until the age of adulthood, when their issues begin to affect them with work, school and personal relationships. This is partly due to gender bias in both clinical settings as well as in the perceptions of parents and teachers, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms for girls than boys, even when those symptoms are clear (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Inattentive ADHD causes women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose the track of time, making it difficult for them to plan ahead and organize their thoughts. It can also be difficult to prioritize tasks. They may be unable to focus on conversations and may get distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor work or school performance which can cause feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration.
Friends, family members and colleagues often misunderstand women with inattentive ADHD. Their frustration with their symptoms can lead to confusion and mistrust and can result in strained relationships. They are often dismissed by others as sour or uninformed. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD are also susceptible to depression and anxiety. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations, such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. During this time estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels rise which can cause an increase in ADHD.
Another reason for inattentive ADHD is environmental factors, like a chaotic home or work environment that does not provide enough structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD often have trouble staying focused at work and can fall behind quickly, which leads to a sense of failure and low self-esteem. They might also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further erode confidence and lead to people avoiding social interactions.
Women with inattention ADHD are more likely to struggle in establishing and maintaining romantic relations. They are more likely than others to be suffering from depression or anxiety, and they are more vulnerable to rejection. This could make them less willing to risk a romantic connection. This can lead them to feel alone, which can contribute to anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Women with undiagnosed ADHD often have low self esteem due to their struggle to deal with. They can be discouraged by comments from others that they are negligent or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They might develop unhealthy coping methods, such as excessive drinking or drugs. They may also resort to non-suicidal methods of self-injury like cutting, burning or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Women and girls with 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. Additionally, women who have undiagnosed ADHD may experience mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life events like getting married, starting in a new job or becoming a parent.
Adults with inattention ADHD are often misdiagnosed, and may be mistaken as borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentration and a feeling of sadness or hopelessness, and difficulties coping with stress and criticism. These symptoms, when combined with poor time-management, can cause problems at school or work, as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD can cause issues with coping skills for girls and women, such as procrastination or underestimating the time an activity will take (timeblindness). They may have trouble keeping an eye on their schedules and appointments and lose or misplace items quickly, and easily jump from one task to the next. They may also struggle with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making impulsive choices.
It is important for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD to recognize their symptoms and seek help. They can seek help from their primary care physician or a mental health specialist. In addition they can improve their coping skills by using methods of organization, like making lists or planning ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters, which enhance focus and attention. It's also a good idea for them to share household and caregiver tasks with their spouse or another support group so that they don't feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually involve therapy and medication. Stimulant drugs like amphetamines and methylphenidate can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is where they instruct people on how to change negative thoughts or behaviors. Others provide one-on-one therapy which focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with other people who suffer from the disorder and share tips for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be a challenge for some women to accept. Some women may think that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or a lack of parenting. This can affect their self-esteem. They might also feel embarrassed and ashamed by their inability keep up with school or work.
The symptoms of ADHD are more severe during hormonal changes, such as those caused by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopause. This can make it more difficult to manage emotional manifestations, such as mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can also lead to issues in relationships due to how they are perceived by other people.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to maintain a stable home life. adhd in women checklist can cause difficulties at school or at work. For instance, they might, forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They may have problems organizing their school or work materials, and they may struggle to complete their tasks. They might have trouble understanding social boundaries or interrupting people when they are talking. These problems can lead to conflicts in relationships, and impact a woman's sense of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD aren't able to ask for assistance. They may believe that their problems are not sufficient to warrant attention, or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They might also be scared of the stigma associated from being diagnosed with ADHD and this can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women with untreated ADHD can be depressed or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy coping behaviors such as drinking alcohol or drug abuse, which can lead to health problems and other issues, like self-injury that is not suicidal (NSSI) which can involve cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD are often plagued by feelings of inadequacy and chronic stress. This can make it harder to recognize and communicate symptoms and seek treatment. It's also normal for women to mask their symptoms or devise strategies to disguise them from others, especially as they get older. Masking can lead to problems at school or work and may affect relationships.
Furthermore, research suggests that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than males to experience symptoms relating to rejection sensitivity, and to have trouble finding jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative self-talk, which can lead to anxiety and difficulty in social relationships.
For these reasons, it's crucial for women suffering from ADHD to have access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital to have a therapist or therapist who understands the unique challenges that girls and women face with the disorder.
As girls and women mature and become more independent, they are likely to be confronted with societal and cultural expectations which place the majority of household and parenting responsibilities on them. These expectations are different from those that men are expected to meet. These pressures can trigger depression and anxiety. They can also result in a chaotic and chaotic home, unfinished projects, and an inability for girls and women to reach out for help.
The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoria as well as the adolescent years are also common among females who suffer from ADHD. These symptoms can be caused by the monthly fluctuations in hormones and can be mistaken for anxiety or mood swings.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. Because of this, they have a higher rate of negative consequences as adults such as relationships, unemployment and use of drugs. They are also more likely to be misdiagnosed compared to men and are more likely to remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be reduced by increasing education and arguing for health professionals, teachers and parents to be aware of the signs of ADHD for women and girls.