Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have struggled for a long time before they were diagnosed with ADHD. It can be a real lightbulb moment when they are diagnosed.
Symptoms can fluctuate due to hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms worsen when they are experiencing menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to take on their ADHD traits, which leads to depression. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect their work at school, as well as personal relationships. This is due to gender biases in both the clinical setting and in teachers' and parents perceptions. Girls are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentional ADHD causes women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose the track of time, making it hard for them to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They may also have difficulties maintaining focus during conversations, and are easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These issues can lead to poor performance at school or at work, which leads to low self-esteem and anger.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their family, friends and colleagues. Their frustration with their symptoms increases the mistrust they face which can result in strained relationships. They are often viewed as moody and irrational, which can increase the feeling that they are misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. These issues can be exacerbated by hormone fluctuations, such as during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. During these times, the estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase and can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms.
Environmental factors can also cause inattentive ADHD for example, a chaotic environment at home or a work life without a clear structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD can have difficulty staying on task and get behind in their work, which can lead to feelings of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also be unable to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further undermine confidence and lead to people avoiding social interactions.
Additionally, women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties in establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to have depression or anxiety that is co-existing and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which could make them more reluctant to commit to a relationship. This can lead to a feeling of isolation which can lead to anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD often suffer from low self esteem due to their struggle to cope. Others may comment that they are reckless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping methods, such as excessive drinking or drug use. They might also resort to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting, burning, or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are often frequently misdiagnosed as suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. This is because the signs of anxiety and depression are typically similar to the symptoms of ADHD. In addition, women who have undiagnosed ADHD may experience mood swings that cause them to appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be brought on by major life changes like getting married, starting a new job, or becoming a parent.
Adults who have inattentive ADHD are often misdiagnosed and are often mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating as well as feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and difficulties in coping with criticism and stress. When combined with poor time management, these signs can create difficulties at school or at work and cause problems with family and friends.
Inattentive ADHD can cause problems with coping abilities in girls and women, such as procrastination, or underestimating how long the task will take (timeblindness). They may have difficulty keeping track of schedules and appointments, are prone to lose or misplace items and are susceptible to jump from one task to another. They may also have issues with controlling their impulses. This could include making impulsive choices or interrupting others.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD should be aware of their symptoms and seek help. They can seek help through their primary care physician or a mental health professional. In addition, they can try to improve their coping abilities by making use of organizational strategies, such as making lists or preparing ahead. They can also engage in exercises, which release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It is also recommended to divide the household and caregiving duties with their spouse or another support network, so they are not overwhelmed by chores or errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms typically include therapy and medication. The stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines can help reduce the inattention symptoms of ADHD. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can aid in the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Therapists may employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people to change negative thoughts and behavior, 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 suffer from the disorder and share strategies for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD can be a challenge for some women to accept. They may think that their issues stem from a lack of discipline or poor parenting, and this can impact their self-esteem. In addition, they could be frustrated at their inability to keep up with work or school, which can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Symptoms of ADHD can heighten when hormonal changes occur, such as those caused by menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it more difficult to cope with emotional symptoms, such as irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can cause difficulties in relationships because of the way they are perceived by others.
add in women test with inattentive ADHD often have difficulty maintaining an orderly 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 difficulty organizing their schoolwork or materials, and they may have difficulty completing 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 impact a woman's overall perception of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are unable to seek assistance. They may think that their problems are not serious enough to warrant attention or they believe that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be afraid of the stigma associated from being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD can be depressed or suicidal. They might also adopt unhealthy strategies for coping, such as alcohol or substance abuse. This can cause health problems and other issues, such as nonsuicidal harming themselves (NSSI) which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD often have to cope with feelings of unworthiness or chronic stress. This can make it more difficult to recognize and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. It's also normal for women to hide their symptoms or develop strategies to conceal their symptoms from others, particularly as they age. Masking can cause issues at work or school, and it can also affect relationships.
Research shows that women with ADHD are at a higher likelihood of experiencing sensitivity to rejection and finding it difficult to get a job. These experiences can lead to negative self-talk that leads to an insecurity and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
This is why it's crucial for women suffering from ADHD to have access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital that they have a clinician or therapy professional who is knowledgeable of the unique challenges girls and women face with the disorder.
As girls and women grow older and become more independent, they are likely to be confronted with societal and cultural expectations which place the majority of parenting and household responsibilities on them. These expectations differ from those placed on men. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety and can lead to disorganized, chaotic home environments, unfinished projects, and a refusal to ask for help or admit that they have a problem.
It's also common for females suffering from ADHD to experience symptoms related to adolescence and puberty, and to struggle with premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be caused by the fluctuations in hormones and can be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women suffering from ADHD typically experience a lack of awareness about their condition, and are less likely to receive treatment than males. As a result, they have a higher rate of negative outcomes as they age which include unemployment, relationship problems and addiction. They're also more likely be misdiagnosed than males and remain undiagnosed throughout their lives. This gap can be lowered by educating the public and advocating for health professionals, teachers and parents to be aware of the signs of ADHD in women and girls.