Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women had to struggle for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a lightbulb moment when they are diagnosed.
The symptoms can change with hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms get worse when they are experiencing menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women can also take on their ADHD traits, which leads to depression. This can make it harder to recognize and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who have 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 in both the clinical setting and in teachers' and parents perceptions. Girls are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD can cause women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose track of time, making it difficult for them to plan ahead or organize their thoughts. They also struggle to prioritize tasks. They may also have difficulties staying focused during conversations, and become easily distracted by external stimuli, internal thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor school or work performance, which leads to feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration.
Many women with inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood by friends, family and coworkers. Their frustration with their symptoms can increase the misperceptions they face. This can lead to strained relations. They are often viewed by others as sour or crazy. This can lead to a feeling of being untrusted.
Women with inattention ADHD may also be suffering from anxiety and depression. These issues can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal. During these times, the estrogen levels decrease and progesterone rises which can aggravate ADHD symptoms.
Another reason for inattentive ADHD is environmental factors, such as a chaotic home environment or work life that does not provide enough structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay on track at work and may be unable to keep up with their work, which leads to a sense of failure and low self-esteem. They might also have difficulty accepting negative feedback or criticism, which can further erode their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
Additionally, women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to struggle with creating and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely than the rest to be suffering from anxiety or depression, and they can be more sensitive to rejection. This could make them reluctant to risk a romantic relationship. This can cause them to feel alone and can lead to depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Often, women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem as they struggle to cope with the disorder. People may tell them that they are careless or forgetful. They could develop unhealthy coping methods like excessive drinking or drugs. They may also resort to non-suicidal methods of self-injury like cutting, burning, or scratching. The symptoms of ADHD can affect relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are often frequently misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is due to the fact that many of the symptoms of these disorders overlap with the symptoms of ADHD. Furthermore, women who have undiagnosed ADHD can experience mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be brought on by major life changes such as getting married, beginning a new job, or becoming a parent.
Adults with inattentive ADHD are also commonly mistakenly diagnosed, and can be mistaken as borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating and feelings of sadness or hopelessness and issues dealing with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when paired with poor time management, could cause issues at work or school as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD in 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 may have difficulty keeping the track of their schedules and appointments, misplace or lose belongings easily, and jump from one task to the next. They may also have issues with impulse control. This could include making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD must be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek help from their primary care physician or a mental health professional. Additionally they can improve their coping skills using methods of organization, like making lists or planning ahead. They can also participate in exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that boost attention and focus. It is also an excellent idea to split the household and caregiving duties with their partner or other support networks, so that they aren't stressed by chores or running errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually include therapy and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines could aid in reducing the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. The behavioral therapy method is a great method to address the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is where they instruct people on how to change negative thoughts or behaviors. Other therapists offer one-onone therapy which focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for those who suffer from ADHD to connect with others who have the same disorder and to learn how to manage their symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattention ADHD can be difficult to accept. Some women might believe that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or a poor parenting style. This could affect their self-esteem. Additionally, they might be frustrated with their inability to keep up with work or school, which can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes like those that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or menopausal. This can make it harder to manage emotional symptoms like mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can also cause problems in relationships due to the way they are perceived by other people, especially male partners or colleagues.
high functioning adhd in women who are not attentive ADHD often have difficulty maintaining an orderly home life, which can cause problems at work or school. They may, for instance forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They might have issues organizing their work or school materials, and they may struggle to complete their tasks. They might have trouble understanding social boundaries and interrupting others while they talk. These problems can cause conflict in relationships and affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to ask for help. They may think that their problems aren't enough serious to warrant attention, or that they should be able to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be scared of the stigma that comes from being diagnosed with ADHD which could make them less likely to seek treatment. If left untreated, ADHD in women can result in depression or suicidal thoughts. They can also resort to unhealthy coping strategies such as drinking alcohol or drug abuse, which can result in health issues and other issues, including self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD frequently have to deal with feelings of inadequateness or constant stress. This can make it more difficult to identify and explain the symptoms, and seek treatment. Women often mask symptoms or use strategies to compensate, particularly as they age, to hide their symptoms. Masking can cause difficulties at school or work and can cause relationships to suffer.
Additionally, research has shown that women with ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms that are related to rejection sensitivity and also to be unable to find jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative thoughts, which can lead to a lack of confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
It is important that women with ADHD receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. It's crucial that they are able to access a clinician or therapist that is knowledgeable about the issues both women and girls confront with ADHD.
As women and girls mature and become more independent, they are likely to be confronted with the expectations of society and culture that place the majority of household and parenting obligations on them. These expectations are different from those placed on men. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety and can lead to disorganized, chaotic home environments, unfinished projects, and a refusal to ask for help or admit that they have a problem.
It's also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to puberty and adolescence and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. The fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms worse, and they might be misinterpreted as a sign of other issues such as anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women suffering from ADHD often experience insufficient awareness of their condition, and are less likely to receive treatment than men. They are more likely to suffer negative consequences in adulthood including relationships, unemployment, and substance abuse. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap could be closed through increased awareness and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD for women and girls.