Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggle for years before receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. It could be a moment of lightbulb when they receive a diagnosis.
Symptoms often fluctuate with 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 take on their ADHD traits, which leads to depression. This makes it harder to identify and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD often do not get diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their issues begin to affect them with school, work, and personal relationships. This is because of gender bias, both in clinical settings and in teachers' and parents' perceptions, who are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines, and lose track of the time. They also have trouble managing their thoughts or making plans for the future. They may also have difficulty keeping their attention during conversations and become easily distracted by external stimuli, internal thoughts or daydreaming. These issues can result in poor performance at work or in school, leading to a low self-esteem.
Many women with inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood and mistreated by their friends, family and coworkers. Their anger over their symptoms heightens the misunderstandings they experience which can result in strained relationships. They are often viewed by others as sour or crazy. This can lead to a feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. These issues can be made more difficult by hormonal fluctuations, like during menstruation, pregnancy, or perimenopause. At these times, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone rises which can aggravate ADHD symptoms.
Environmental factors can also cause inattentive ADHD like an unorganized home or a work life with little structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay on track at work and can fall behind quickly, which results in a feeling of inadequacy and low self-esteem. They might also have a harder time accepting negative feedback or criticism which can further undermine their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
Women who are inattentive ADHD are more likely to have difficulty creating and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which can make them more reluctant to take a risk with a romantic relationship. This can lead them to feel lonely which can cause depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD often suffer from low self esteem due to their struggle to cope. Some may say that they are careless or forgetful. They may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking or drugs. They may also resort to non-suicidal methods of self-injury like cutting, burning, or scratching. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, 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 are similar with the symptoms of ADHD. Women with undiagnosed ADHD can also experience mood swings, making them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be brought on by major life changes such as getting married, beginning in a new job, or becoming a parent.
Undiagnosed inattentive ADHD in adults is common, and can be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating or concentrating, as well as feelings like sadness or hopelessness and issues dealing with criticism and stress. Combined with poor time management, these signs can cause difficulties at school or at work and cause problems with family and friends.
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause problems with coping skills in women and girls, including procrastination, or underestimating how long a task will take (timeblindness). They may struggle to keep an eye on their schedules and appointments, misplace or lose belongings easily, and flit from one task to the next. They may also struggle with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD should be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health professional. In addition they can improve their coping abilities by using methods of organization, like writing lists or planning ahead. They can also participate in exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that increase attention and focus. It's also a good idea for them to share household and caregiver chores with their partner or a different support system to ensure they don't feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is often required to treat ADHD symptoms, which includes medication and therapy. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines can help to reduce the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. There are also adhd symptoms in women test -stimulant drugs like atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy can help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people to change negative thoughts and behaviors as well as offer one-on-one therapy to improve self-esteem and emotional control. Support groups are an excellent way for people who suffer from ADHD to meet other people who have the same disorder and to learn how to manage symptoms.
For some women, the diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be difficult to accept. They might believe that their troubles stem from an absence of discipline or bad parenting, and this may impact their self-esteem. They might also feel embarrassed and ashamed because they are unable to maintain their school schedule or work.
Symptoms of ADHD can be heightened when hormonal changes occur that are caused by menstruation, pregnancy, or menopausal. This can make it more difficult to manage emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can also cause relationship problems due to the way they are perceived by others, particularly male colleagues or partners.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to ensure an orderly family life. This can lead to difficulties at work or school. For instance, they may forget important appointments or pay bills late. They may have issues organizing their school or work materials, and they may have difficulty completing assignments. They may have difficulty understanding social boundaries or interrupting people when they're talking. These problems can lead to conflicts in relationships, and can affect women's sense of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD aren't able to ask for assistance. They may believe that their issues aren't sufficient to warrant attention or that they should be in a position to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be scared of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD and this can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who have untreated ADHD may develop depression or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy coping behaviors, such as alcohol or substance abuse, which can cause health issues and other issues, including nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) that includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have to deal with feelings of inadequacy or constant stress. This can make it harder to identify and articulate symptoms, and seek treatment. It is also common for women to hide their symptoms or develop strategies to conceal them from others, especially as they get older. Masking can cause difficulties at work or school and may cause relationships to suffer.
Research suggests that women suffering from ADHD are more at chance of feeling a sensitivity to rejection and finding it difficult to get an employment. These experiences can lead to negative thoughts that can lead to a lack of confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
In these circumstances, it's crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access proper diagnosis and treatment. It's important that they are able to access the right therapist or clinician who is knowledgeable about the issues that girls and women have to face when dealing with ADHD.
As women and girls grow up, they may be confronted with cultural and societal expectations that place the majority of the household and parenting responsibilities on them, and differ from those imposed on fathers. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety. They can also result in a messy and chaotic home environment as well as unfinished projects and an inability for women and girls to ask for assistance.
It is also common 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 cause these symptoms to become more severe, and they might be misinterpreted as a sign of other issues like anxiety or mood shifts.
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and to seek treatment. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes in adulthood including problems with relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be lowered by educating the public and advocating for health professionals as well as teachers and parents to recognize the symptoms of ADHD in women and girls.