Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggle for years before receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. When they do, it can be like a lightbulb moment.
The symptoms often change in response to hormonal changes. For example, women may feel their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.
Women also can be prone to internalizing ADHD traits which leads to depression. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD typically are not diagnosed until adulthood, when their problems start to interfere with school, work and personal relationships. This is due in part to gender bias in both clinical settings and in the perceptions of parents and teachers, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms for girls than boys, even if the symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines, and lose track of time. They also have trouble managing their thoughts or making plans for the future. They may also have trouble keeping their attention during conversations and become easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to low performance at work or at school, which could lead to low self-esteem.
Family members, friends and coworkers often misunderstand women with inattention ADHD. Their discontent with their condition increases the mistrust they face and can result in tensions in relationships. They are often viewed by others as moody or irrational. This can increase their feeling of being untrusted.
Women who have inattention ADHD also suffer from a range of emotional problems, including depression and anxiety. These problems can be exacerbated due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance during menstruation or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. In these instances, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Another reason for inattentive ADHD is the influence of environmental factors, such as a chaotic home environment or a work schedule that lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD can have difficulty keeping on track and may become distracted at work, resulting in feelings of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also have a harder time accepting criticism or negative feedback which can further undermine their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
Women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to struggle in establishing and maintaining romantic relations. They are more likely than other women to be suffering from depression or anxiety, and they are more susceptible to rejection. This can make them reluctant to take on a romantic relationship. This can lead them to feel alone, which can contribute to anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD often have low self-esteem as a result of their struggle to deal with. People may tell them that they're careless or forgetful. They could develop unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive drinking or use of drugs. They might also turn to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting, burning, or scratching. women and adhd can impact relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women with ADHD tend to be misdiagnosed more often as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is because the signs of depression and anxiety are often similar to the symptoms of ADHD. In addition women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may experience mood swings that cause them to appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can be brought on by major life changes like getting married, starting a new career, or becoming parents.
Undiagnosed inattention ADHD in adults is prevalent, and could be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating, feelings such as despair or sadness and difficulties handling stress and criticism. These symptoms, when combined with poor time management, can cause issues at work or school as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD can cause issues with coping skills in girls and women, such as procrastination or underestimating the time the 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 might also be struggling with the ability to control their impulses. This can include making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
It is crucial for women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD to be aware of their symptoms and seek help. They can seek help from their primary care physician or a mental health professional. Additionally they can improve their coping skills employing strategies for organizing, such as making lists or planning ahead. They can also take part in physical exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and attention. It is also an excellent idea to split the household and caregiving duties with their partner or other support networks, so that they are not overwhelmed by chores or run-of-the-mill chores.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is often needed to manage ADHD symptoms, including medication and therapy. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines could help to reduce the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. Non-stimulant medications 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) in which they teach people how to change negative thoughts or behavior. Other therapists offer one-onone therapy that focuses on self-esteem as well as emotional regulation. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with others who have the condition and share strategies for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD can be difficult for some women to accept. They may think that their issues result from an absence of discipline or poor parenting, and this can impact their self-esteem. They may also feel embarrassed and ashamed because they are unable to keep up with school or work.
The symptoms of ADHD can heighten due to hormonal changes, such as those caused by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopausal. This can make it difficult to manage emotional manifestations, such as anger or mood swings. These symptoms can cause difficulties in relationships because of the way they are perceived by other people.
Women with inattentive ADHD often have difficulty maintaining a steady home life and this can lead to difficulties at school or at work. For instance, they might forget important appointments, or pay their bills late. They may have issues organizing their schoolwork or materials, and may struggle to complete assignments. They might have trouble understanding social boundaries or interrupting other people while they talk. These problems can cause conflicts in relationships and affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD have difficulty asking for help. They may believe that their problems are not serious enough to warrant attention or they believe that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be afraid of the stigma that comes with being diagnosed with ADHD which could make them less likely to seek treatment. Women with untreated ADHD can become depressed or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy coping strategies, like drinking or using substances. This can cause health problems and other issues, such as nonsuicidal harming themselves (NSSI), including burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD are often suffering from feelings of inadequacy and constant stress. undiagnosed adhd in women can make it more difficult to identify and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often hide symptoms or employ compensatory strategies, particularly as they age, to cover their symptoms. Masking can lead to problems at work or at school and can affect relationships.
Research has shown that women with ADHD have a higher likelihood of experiencing sensitivity to rejection and having difficulty finding a job. These experiences can cause negative self-talk, which can lead to a lack of confidence and difficulty with interpersonal relationships.
It is important that women with ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also essential that they work with a doctor or therapist who understands the unique challenges that females and girls face with the disorder.
As women and girls grow up, they may be confronted with cultural and societal expectations that place the bulk of parenting and household duties on them, and which differ from those placed on fathers. These pressures can lead to depression and anxiety and lead to chaotic, messy living spaces, incomplete projects, and a refusal to ask for assistance or admit that they are struggling.
The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoria as well as adolescents are also common in females suffering from ADHD. The monthly fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms worse and can be misinterpreted as other problems such as anxiety or mood shifts.
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. Because of this, they're more at risk of negative outcomes as they age, including unemployment, relationship problems and use of drugs. They are also more likely to be misdiagnosed than men and are more likely to remain undiagnosed throughout their lives. This gap could be closed by enhancing awareness and advocacy efforts to help health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women.