Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have to struggle for years before receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. When they do, it can be like a lightbulb moment.
Symptoms can fluctuate 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 be prone to internalizing ADHD traits that lead to depression. This makes it more difficult to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect their work at school, as well as personal relationships. This is due in part to gender biases in both clinical settings and the perceptions of teachers and parents, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys even if the symptoms are evident (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget appointments, miss deadlines and lose track of time, which makes it hard to plan ahead or organize their thoughts. They also struggle to prioritize tasks. They may also find it difficult to focus on conversations and easily get distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These issues can lead to poor work or school performance and can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by family, friends and colleagues. Their frustration with their symptoms can increase the misunderstandings that they encounter. This can lead to strained relations. They are often seen as being irrational and moody which can increase their feelings of being misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD are also afflicted by a range of emotional problems that include anxiety and depression. These problems can be exacerbated due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance during menstruation and pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. In this time, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise which can exacerbate ADHD.
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 can have difficulty keeping on track and may become distracted at work, leading to a feeling of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also be unable to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further diminish confidence and cause people to avoid social interaction.
Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety that is co-existing and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which could make them less willing to risk a relationship. This can cause them to feel alone and can lead to depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD frequently suffer from low self-esteem due to their struggle to cope. People may tell them that they're careless or forgetful. They could adopt unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking or drugs. They may also resort to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting or burning. The symptoms of ADHD can cause problems with relationships as well as work and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD tend to be frequently misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is because a lot of symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of ADHD. Furthermore, women who have undiagnosed ADHD can experience mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life changes, such as getting married, starting a new job, or becoming a parent.
Adults with inattention ADHD are often mistakenly diagnosed, and can be mistaken for borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. These symptoms include trouble concentration as well as feelings of despair or sadness and difficulty handling stress and criticism. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time management, could lead to difficulties at work or in school as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD in girls and women can lead to problems with coping skills, such as procrastination and the tendency to underestimate how long tasks will take (time blindness). They can have trouble keeping track of schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace their belongings and are susceptible to flitting from one task to another. They also may have issues with impulse control, such as interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD should understand their symptoms and seek help. They can seek help through their primary care physician or a mental health specialist. In addition, they can try to improve their coping skills by employing methods of organization, like making lists or planning ahead. They can also engage in physical exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that increase focus and attention. It is also an excellent idea to split up household and caregiving responsibilities with their partner or other support network, so they aren't overwhelmed by chores or other errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually include therapy and medication. see it here as methylphenidate and amphetamines can reduce ADHD symptoms of inattention. Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can aid in the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Therapists may employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people to modify negative thoughts and behaviors as well as offer individual therapy for self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help people with ADHD connect with other people with the same condition and share ideas about managing symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be difficult to accept. They may think that their troubles result from a lack of discipline or bad parenting, and this can affect their self-esteem. In addition, they could be frustrated with their inability to keep up with their work or school, and this can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes like those that happen during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or menopausal. This can make it harder to cope with emotional manifestations, such as anger or mood swings. These symptoms can also cause issues in relationships due to how they are perceived by others.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to maintain an orderly family life. This can cause difficulties at work or school. For instance, they may forget important appointments or pay bills late. They may have trouble organizing their school or work materials, and they may have difficulty completing 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 affect a woman’s sense of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD aren't able to ask for help. They might think that their issues aren't sufficient to warrant attention, or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They might also be afraid of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD and this can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD can become depressed or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy coping strategies, such drinking or using substances. This can lead to health issues and other issues, such as self-harming and non-suicidal (NSSI) which includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD often have to cope with feelings of unworthiness or constant stress. This can make it difficult to identify and explain the symptoms and seek treatment. It is also common for women to mask their symptoms or develop compensatory strategies to hide them from others, particularly as they get older. Masking can cause problems at school or work, and it can also affect relationships.
In addition, research shows that women with ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms related to rejection sensitivity and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can trigger negative thoughts that can lead to a lack of confidence and problems in interpersonal relationships.
In these circumstances, it's important for women with ADHD to have access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they can access an therapist or a therapist who is knowledgeable about the issues that women and girls confront with ADHD.
As girls and women grow older, they could encounter cultural and social norms that place the bulk of parenting and household duties on them, and which differ from those placed on fathers. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety and can lead to disorganized, chaotic homes, unfinished projects, and a refusal to ask for help or admit they have a problem.
It's also normal for females with ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to puberty and adolescence, and to struggle with premenstrual dysphoria. The monthly fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms more severe and can be misinterpreted as a sign of other issues like anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. They are more likely to experience negative outcomes in adulthood including problems with relationships, unemployment and abuse of substances. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be closed through increased awareness and advocacy efforts to help health professionals and teachers as well as parents recognize the signs of ADHD in girls and women.