Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women suffer for years prior to being diagnosed with ADHD. It can be a real lightbulb moment for them when they receive a diagnosis.
The symptoms may change due to hormonal changes. For instance, women could notice their symptoms get worse during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also can internalize ADHD traits which leads to depression. This can make it harder to identify and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues start to affect work or school as well as personal relationships. This is due to gender biases, both in clinical settings and in teachers' and parents perceptions. Teachers and parents are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines, and lose track of the time. They also have trouble prioritizing tasks, organizing their thoughts or making plans for the future. They might also find it difficult to keep their attention on conversations and can easily be distracted by external stimuli or their own internal thoughts and daydreaming. These issues can result in low performance at work or in school, leading to a low self-esteem.
Friends, family members and colleagues often misunderstand women who have inattention ADHD. Their frustration with their symptoms can lead to confusion and mistrust, and this can cause strained relationships. They are often seen as being irrational and moody which can increase their feelings of being misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD also experience a range of emotional problems, including depression and anxiety. These issues can be exacerbated by fluctuations in hormone levels like during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy or perimenopausal. In this period, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise, which can exacerbate ADHD.
Another cause of inattentive ADHD is environmental factors, like a chaotic house environment or a work schedule that lacks structure. women and adhd with inattentive ADHD frequently have difficulty staying focused at work and can fall behind quickly, which can lead to feelings of self-doubt and a sense of failure. They might also have difficulty accepting negative feedback or criticism, which can further erode their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
In addition, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely than others 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 to a feeling of isolation, which can also contribute to anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Most women with undiagnosed ADHD have low self-esteem when they try to deal with the condition. Others may comment that they are reckless or forgetful. They may develop unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol or drug use. high functioning adhd in women might also resort to non-suicidal forms of self-injury such as cutting, burning or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This is because the signs of anxiety and depression are frequently similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Furthermore, women who have undiagnosed ADHD are prone to 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.
Undiagnosed inattention ADHD in adults is also frequent, and is often mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating, feelings such as despair or sadness and issues managing stress and criticism. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time-management, can cause issues at work or school and with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in women and girls can cause trouble with coping skills, such as procrastination, and a 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 items and are susceptible to flitting between tasks. They may also have issues with impulse control. This could mean making impulsive choices or interrupting others.
It is crucial for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD to be aware of their symptoms and seek help. They can seek treatment from their primary care physician or a mental health professional. In addition, they can try to improve their coping skills by employing strategies for organizing, such as writing lists or making plans. They can also take part in exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that boost attention and focus. It is also an excellent idea to split the household and caregiving duties with their spouse or another support network, so they don't get overloaded by chores or errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms typically include medication and therapy. Stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy can help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in which they help people modify negative thoughts or behaviors. Others provide one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are a great way for people who suffer from ADHD to connect with others who share the same condition and learn about how to manage symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD may be difficult for some women to accept. They may believe that their issues stem from an absence of discipline or poor parenting, which can affect their self-esteem. In addition, they may feel frustrated by their inability to keep up with their work or school, which can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstruation or pregnancy, or menopausal. This makes it more difficult to manage emotional symptoms, like irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can cause problems in relationships due to the way they are perceived by others, particularly male colleagues or partners.
Women with inattention ADHD frequently struggle to maintain a stable home life, which can cause issues at school or at work. For instance, they might forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They might have issues organizing their work or school supplies and may have difficulty completing tasks. They might have trouble understanding the social boundaries and interrupting people when they talk. These problems can lead to conflicts in relationships, and affect a woman’s sense of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD have difficulty asking for help. They may think that their issues aren't 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 associated when they are diagnosed with ADHD which could make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who have untreated ADHD can become depressed or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy strategies for coping, such as alcohol or substance abuse. This could lead to health problems and other issues such as self-harming and non-suicidal (NSSI) which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often affected by feelings of inadequateness and constant stress. This makes it harder to recognize and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often mask symptoms or resort to compensatory strategies, especially as they get older, to conceal them. Masking can cause problems at work or school and may cause relationships to suffer.
Furthermore, research suggests that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than males to experience symptoms relating to rejection sensitivity and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can trigger negative thoughts, which can lead to a lack of confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
It is crucial that women suffering from ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital to have a therapist or therapy professional who is knowledgeable of the unique challenges that females and girls face with the disorder.
As women and girls grow up, they may encounter societal and cultural expectations that place the bulk of household and parenting duties on them, and which differ from the expectations placed on fathers. These pressures can cause anxiety and depression and result in a disorganized and chaotic home environment as well as unfinished projects and an inability for girls and women to ask for assistance.
The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoria as well as the adolescent years are also common among females suffering from ADHD. These symptoms can be exacerbated by the monthly fluctuations in hormones, and could be mistaken for anxiety or mood swings.
Women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to communicate their condition because of a lack of awareness about their condition, and they're less likely to seek treatment than men. Because of this, they have a higher rate of negative outcomes as adults which include relationship issues, unemployment, and substance use. They are also more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap could be closed through increased awareness and advocacy efforts to help health professionals as well as teachers and parents to recognize the signs of ADHD for women and girls.