Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggle for years before getting a diagnosis of ADHD. When they do, it can be like an epiphany.
The symptoms can change due to hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to internalize their ADHD characteristics, which can lead to depression. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their problems begin to affect their work or school as well as personal relationships. This is partly due to gender bias in both clinical settings and the perceptions of parents and teachers 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 important dates, miss deadlines, and lose track of time. They also have trouble prioritizing tasks, organizing their thoughts or planning ahead. They might also find it difficult to focus on conversations and may become distracted by external stimuli or their own internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor performance at school or at work and can lead to low self-esteem and anger.
Many women with inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood by friends, family and coworkers. Their frustration with their symptoms increases the mistrust they face which can cause tensions in relationships. They are often viewed by others as sour or irrational. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD are also afflicted by a range of emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by fluctuations in hormone levels like during menstrual cycles and pregnancy or perimenopausal. In this time estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels increase, which can exacerbate ADHD.
The environment can also trigger inattentive ADHD like an unorganized home or at work with little structure. Women with inattentive ADHD often have trouble staying on task at work and can be unable to keep up with their work, which results in a feeling of self-doubt and a sense of failure. They may also find it difficult to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further diminish confidence and lead to people avoiding social interactions.
Additionally, women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to struggle with establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to have coexisting anxiety or depression and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which could make them less willing to take a risk with a romantic relationship. This can cause isolation which can lead to anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Most women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem when they try to deal with the disorder. Some may say that they are careless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping methods, such as excessive drinking or use of drugs. They might also resort to self-injury without suicide, like cutting or burning. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work and school.
Women and girls with ADHD are often more likely to be misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety. This is due to the fact that many of the symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of ADHD. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may also suffer from mood swings, which can make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life changes like getting married, beginning a new job, or becoming a parent.
Inattentional inattention that is not diagnosed ADHD in adults is common, and can be mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include trouble staying focused as well as feelings of despair or sadness and difficulties coping with stress and criticism. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time management, can lead to difficulties at work or in school as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD for girls and women can affect 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, easily lose or misplace their belongings, and are prone to flitting between tasks. They also may have issues with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making impulsive choices.
It is important for women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD to recognize their symptoms and get help. They can seek help from their primary care provider or a mental health professional. In addition, they can try to improve their coping skills by using methods of organization, like writing lists or making plans. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve focus and attention. It is also recommended to divide up household and caregiving responsibilities with their partner or other family members, so they are not overloaded by chores or other errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually involve treatment and medication. inattentive add in women like amphetamines and methylphenidate can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms of inattention. Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can help with the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Some therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to modify negative thoughts and behaviors as well as offer one-on-one therapy for self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are a great way for people with ADHD to connect with others who have the same disorder and learn about how to manage their symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be a challenge for some women to accept. Some women may believe that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or a lack of parenting. This can 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.
The symptoms of ADHD are more severe during hormonal changes, such as those caused by menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. signs of add in adult women can make it difficult to deal with emotional manifestations, such as mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can also contribute to relationship difficulties due to the way they are perceived by others, particularly male friends or colleagues.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to keep a stable family life. This can cause difficulties at work or school. For instance, they might forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They may have issues organizing their schoolwork or materials, and they might be unable to finish assignments. They might be unable to comprehend the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt other people while talking. These issues can lead to conflicts in relationships and can affect a woman's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD find it difficult to ask for help. They may believe that their issues aren't sufficient to warrant attention or that they should be capable of "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They may also be scared of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make it more difficult to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also turn to unhealthy coping strategies such as drinking alcohol or substance abuse, which can lead to health issues and other issues, such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which can involve burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often suffering from feelings of inadequacy and constant stress. This can make it more difficult to recognize and articulate the symptoms and seek treatment. Women often hide symptoms or resort to strategies to compensate, particularly as they age, to hide them. Masking can cause problems at school or work and can result in relationships being damaged.
Research suggests that women suffering from ADHD are more at likelihood of experiencing sensitivity to rejection and finding it difficult to get a job. These experiences can trigger negative thoughts that lead to a lack of confidence and issues with interpersonal relationships.
This is why it's crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access proper diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they are able to access the right therapist or clinician who is aware of the difficulties both women and girls face with ADHD.
As girls and women become teenagers, they might encounter cultural and social norms that place the bulk of the household and parenting responsibilities on them, and which differ from those imposed on fathers. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety. They can also result in a messy and chaotic home environment, unfinished projects, and an inability for girls and women to ask for help.
It's also normal for females with ADHD to experience symptoms related to adolescence and puberty, and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be made worse by the fluctuations in hormones, and could be mistaken for anxiety or mood swings.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. This means that they are more likely to experience a variety of negative outcomes as they age such as relationships, unemployment and addiction. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap can be eliminated through increased education and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD in women and girls.