Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it may be like a lightbulb moment.
The symptoms may change due to hormonal changes. For instance, women might feel their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also can be prone to internalizing ADHD traits that lead to depression. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD typically are not diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their problems begin to impact with work, school and personal relationships. This is due to gender bias, both in clinical settings and in parents' and teachers perceptions. Girls are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit 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 have difficulty to focus on conversations and may get distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These signs can lead to poor performance at work or in school, which could lead to a low self-esteem.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by family, friends and colleagues. Their anger over their symptoms can increase the misperceptions they experience. This can result in tensions between people. They are often viewed by others as sour or uninformed. This can increase their feeling 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 menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause. In this time estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise, which can exacerbate ADHD.
External factors can also contribute to inattentive ADHD for example, a chaotic environment at home or at work with little structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay focused at work and may fall behind quickly, which can lead to feelings of self-doubt and a sense of failure. They might also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further undermine confidence and cause people to avoid social interaction.
Women who are inattentive ADHD are more likely to struggle in developing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely than other women to be suffering from depression or anxiety and are more vulnerable to rejection. This could cause them to be less willing to take on a romantic relationship. This can lead them to feel lonely which can cause depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Often, women with undiagnosed ADHD have low self-esteem while trying to manage the disorder. Others may comment that they are reckless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive alcohol or drug use. They may also resort non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning, or scratching. The symptoms of ADHD can affect relationships at work, school, and other activities.
Girls and women with ADHD are often frequently misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is because the symptoms of depression and anxiety are often similar to those of ADHD. Furthermore women with undiagnosed ADHD can experience mood swings that make them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be brought on by major life events, such as getting married, starting a new job or becoming a mother.
Adults who have inattention ADHD are often misdiagnosed, and may be mistaken as borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. These symptoms include trouble staying focused and a feeling of sadness or hopelessness, and difficulty handling criticism and stress. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time-management, can cause difficulties at work or in school and with family members and friends.
Attention-deficit ADHD can lead to problems with coping skills in women and girls, including procrastination or a tendency of underestimating how long the task will take (timeblindness). They can have trouble keeping track of schedules and appointments, easily lose or misplace their belongings and are prone to flitting between tasks. They may also struggle with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD must be aware of their symptoms and seek help. They can seek help from their primary healthcare provider or a mental health professional. Additionally they can improve their coping skills using strategies for organizing, such as writing lists or preparing ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve focus and attention. It is also recommended to divide the caregiving and household responsibilities with their partner or other support network, so they don't get overwhelmed by chores or other errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually include therapy and medication. The stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines could help to reduce the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. There are also nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy is a great option to treat the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Certain therapists employ cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which teaches people to modify negative thoughts and behaviors, while others offer one-on-one therapy for self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help people with ADHD connect with other people who have the condition and share tips for managing symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD is difficult to accept. They may believe that their problems result from the lack of discipline or bad parenting, and this can impact their self-esteem. They might also feel embarrassed and ashamed due to their inability to maintain their school schedule or work.
The symptoms of ADHD are more severe when hormonal changes occur, such as those caused by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopausal. This can make it harder to manage emotional manifestations, such as mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can also lead to relationship problems because of how they are perceived by others.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to maintain a stable family life. This can lead to problems at school or at work. For instance, they might forget important appointments, or pay their bills late. They might have issues organizing their school or work materials and might have difficulty completing tasks. They may have difficulty understanding the social boundaries and interrupting others while they talk. These problems can cause conflict in relationships and affect a woman's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD find it difficult to seek help. They might think that their problems are not severe enough to warrant attention, or they believe that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They might also be scared of the stigma that comes when they are diagnosed with ADHD, which 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, like drinking or using substances. This could lead to health problems and other issues like self-harming that is not suicidal (NSSI), including burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD often struggle with feelings of inadequateness or chronic stress. This makes it harder to recognize and communicate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often cover up symptoms or employ strategies to compensate, particularly as they get older, to conceal them. Masking can cause difficulties at school or work and may result in relationships being damaged.
Furthermore, research suggests that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms that are related to sensitivity to rejection, and to have trouble finding jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative self-talk that leads to anxiety and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
For these reasons, it's crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access the right diagnosis and treatment. It's also crucial to have a therapist or therapist who is familiar with the unique challenges females and girls face with the disorder.
As girls and women mature, they may face the expectations of society and culture that place the majority of household and parenting responsibility on them. These expectations are different from those imposed on men. These pressures can cause anxiety and depression and can lead to chaotic, messy home environments, unfinished projects and a reluctance to ask for help or admit that they have a problem.
The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoria as well as adolescence are also common in females with ADHD. The monthly fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms more severe, and they might be misinterpreted as other problems such as anxiety or mood swings.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes in adulthood including relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. More methods are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed and remain undiagnosed for the duration of their lives. This gap could be closed by increasing awareness and advocacy efforts to help health professionals as well as teachers and parents to recognize the signs of ADHD for women and girls.