Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have to struggle for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it can be like an epiphany.
The symptoms can change due to hormonal changes. For instance, women might notice their symptoms get worse during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to internalize their ADHD traits, which can lead to depression. This can make it harder to recognize and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their problems start to affect work, school, and 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 for girls than boys, even if the symptoms are clear (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines and lose track of time. They also have trouble managing their thoughts or making plans for the future. They might also have difficulty to focus on conversations and may become distracted by external stimuli or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These signs can lead to poor performance at work or in school, leading to a low self-esteem.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood and mistreated by their friends, family and coworkers. Their frustration with their symptoms heightens the misunderstandings they experience which can result in tensions in relationships. They are often viewed as moody and irrational, which can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattention ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. These issues can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, such as during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal. During this time estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise, which can exacerbate ADHD.
The environment can also trigger inattentive ADHD, such as the chaos of your home or in a workplace without a clear structure. Women with inattentive ADHD can have difficulty staying on task and become distracted at work, resulting in a feeling of failure and low confidence. They may also have a harder time accepting criticism or negative feedback, which can further erode their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
Women with inattention ADHD are more likely to have difficulty establishing and maintaining romantic relations. They are more likely to have depression or anxiety that is co-existing and are more prone to rejection, which can make them less willing to commit to a relationship. This can lead them to feel lonely and can lead to anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD often have low self-esteem due to their struggle to cope. They might be discouraged by criticism from people who say they are reckless, forgetful, or aloof. They could develop unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. They may also resort to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting or burning. The symptoms of ADHD can interfere with relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD tend to be misdiagnosed more often as suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. This is because a lot of symptoms of these disorders overlap with the symptoms of ADHD. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may also have mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be brought on by major life events such as getting married, starting an entirely new job or becoming a parent.
Adults with inattention ADHD are also often mistakenly diagnosed, and can be mistaken as borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentrating and feelings of despair or sadness and difficulties managing stress and criticism. Combined with poor time management, these symptoms could cause problems at work or school, and lead to difficulties with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD for girls and women can affect managing skills, like procrastination and the tendency to underestimate how long tasks will take (time blindness). They may have difficulty keeping an eye on their schedules and appointments, misplace or lose belongings easily, and flit from one task to the next. They may also have issues with controlling their impulses. This can include making impulsive decisions or interrupting others.
It is essential for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD to understand the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment from their primary care physician or a mental health professional. Additionally, they can try to improve their coping abilities by employing strategies for organizing, such as writing lists or preparing ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve concentration and attention. It is also recommended to divide the caregiving and household responsibilities with their spouse or another support network, so they are not overloaded by chores or errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually involve treatment and medication. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can reduce ADHD symptoms of inattention. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy is a great option to treat the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Certain therapists employ cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which helps people to modify negative thoughts and behaviors as well as offer one-on-one therapy to improve self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help people with ADHD connect with other people who suffer from the disorder and share strategies for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD may be a challenge for some women to accept. Some women may think that their issues result from a lack of discipline or poor parenting. This could impact their self-esteem. In addition, they could feel frustrated by their inability to keep up with work or school, which can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes such as those that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it more difficult to deal with emotional symptoms like mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can cause difficulties in relationships because of the way they are perceived by others.
Women with inattentive ADHD often struggle to maintain a steady home life and this can lead to issues at school or at work. For instance, they could forget important appointments or pay bills late. They might have difficulty organizing their schoolwork or materials, and they may struggle to complete assignments. They may have difficulty understanding social boundaries and interrupting other people when they are talking. These issues can result in conflicts in relationships, and can affect women's self-esteem.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are unable to seek assistance. They may believe that their difficulties are not serious enough to require attention, or that they should be able to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be scared of the stigma that comes from being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who have untreated ADHD can be depressed or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy coping behaviors such as drinking alcohol or drug abuse, which can result in health problems and other issues, such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which can involve cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD often have to cope with feelings of unworthiness or constant stress. This can make it harder to recognize and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often hide symptoms or use compensatory strategies, particularly as they age, to cover them. Masking can lead to difficulties at work or school and can result in relationships being damaged.
In addition, research shows that women with ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms related to rejection sensitivity and also to be unable to find jobs. These experiences can cause negative self-talk which leads to anxiety and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
It is essential that women with ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they can access a clinician or therapist that is familiar with the challenges both women and girls face with ADHD.
As women and girls become teenagers, they might be confronted with cultural and societal expectations that place the majority of household and parenting duties on them, and that differ from the expectations placed on fathers. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety, and result in disorganized, chaotic homes, unfinished projects and a lack of willingness to seek assistance or admit that they are struggling.
adult female adhd symptoms is also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms related to puberty and adolescence, and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be exacerbated by the fluctuations in hormones, and could be mistaken for anxiety or mood shifts.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and to seek treatment. They are more likely to experience negative outcomes as they age, such as relationships, unemployment and abuse of substances. They are also more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and remain undiagnosed for the duration of their lives. This gap can be closed by increasing awareness and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD for women and girls.