Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggle for years before getting a diagnosis of ADHD. When they do, it could be like a lightbulb moment.
The symptoms often change in response 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 be prone to internalizing ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD typically are not diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect them with school, work, and personal relationships. This is due in part to gender biases in both clinical settings and in the perceptions of parents and teachers who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys, even when the symptoms are evident (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, forget deadlines, and lose track of the time. They also have trouble prioritizing tasks, organizing their thoughts, or making plans for the future. They may also find it difficult to keep their attention on conversations and may be distracted by external stimuli or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor performance at school or at work which can cause low self-esteem and anger.
Friends, family members and colleagues often misunderstand women with inattentive ADHD. Their anger over their symptoms can increase the misperceptions they encounter. This can result in tensions between people. They are often viewed as moody and irrational, which can further aggravate the feeling that they are misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD can also suffer from anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations, like during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause. During these times, the estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise which can aggravate ADHD symptoms.
Another reason for inattention ADHD is environmental factors like a chaotic house environment or a work schedule which lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay focused at work and may get behind in their work. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and a sense of failure. They might also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further erode confidence and cause people to avoid social interaction.
Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety and are more prone to rejection, which may make them less willing to risk a relationship. This can lead them to feel alone which can cause anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Often, women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem as they struggle to manage the condition. Others may comment that they are reckless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy ways of coping that include excessive drinking or drug use. They might also resort to non-suicidal methods of self-injury like cutting, burning, or scratching. Symptoms of ADHD can interfere with relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often more likely to be misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. This is due to the fact that many of the symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of ADHD. Additionally, women who have undiagnosed ADHD may experience mood swings that cause them to appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can be caused by major changes in life like getting married, starting a new career or having children.
Adults who have inattentive ADHD are also often misdiagnosed and are often mistaken as borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating or concentrating, as well as feelings like sadness or despair and issues managing stress and criticism. signs of add in adult women , when paired with poor time-management, can cause problems at school or work 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 the length of time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have trouble keeping the track of their schedules and appointments and may lose or misplace their belongings easily, and flit from one task to the next. They may also have issues with the ability to control their impulses. This can include making impulsive decisions or interrupting others.
It is important for women with undiagnosed ADHD to be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment through their primary care provider or mental health specialist. Additionally they can improve their coping skills using organizational strategies, such as making lists or preparing ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve concentration and focus. It is also an excellent idea to split up household and caregiving responsibilities with their partner or other support networks, so that they aren't overwhelmed by chores or errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms typically include treatment and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, like amphetamines and methylphenidate can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy is a great method to address the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in which they help people change negative thoughts or behavior. Others provide one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people with ADHD to connect with other people who have the same disorder and to learn how to manage their symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be difficult for some women to accept. They may believe that their issues are due to an absence of discipline or bad parenting, which can impact their self-esteem. They might be embarrassed and ashamed because they are unable to keep up with school or work.
The symptoms of ADHD can heighten when hormonal changes occur that are caused by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopausal. This can make it harder to manage emotional symptoms, such as irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can also lead to relationship problems because of how they are perceived by other people.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to maintain an orderly family life. This can cause problems at school or at work. They may, for instance, forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They might have issues organizing their work or school supplies and might struggle to complete their tasks. They may have difficulty understanding social boundaries and interrupting other people when they are talking. These issues can result in conflicts in relationships, and impact a woman's self-esteem.
Many women with inattentive ADHD find it difficult to seek help. They may think that their symptoms aren't sufficient to warrant attention, or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They might also be scared of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD may develop depression or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy coping strategies such as drinking alcohol or drug abuse, which can lead to health problems and other issues, like self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have to deal with feelings of unworthiness or chronic stress. This can make it harder to recognize and communicate symptoms and seek treatment. It's also normal for women to hide their symptoms or devise strategies to conceal them from others, especially as they get older. Masking can cause problems at work or at school and may affect relationships.
Research has shown that women with ADHD have a higher chance of feeling a sensitivity to rejection and finding it difficult to get jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative thoughts, which can lead to a lack of confidence and problems in interpersonal relationships.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access proper diagnosis and treatment. It's crucial that they can access the right therapist or clinician who is aware of the difficulties that girls and women confront with ADHD.
As women and girls grow older, they could encounter cultural and social norms that place the majority of the household and parenting responsibilities on them, and that differ from the expectations placed on fathers. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety and can lead to chaotic, messy living spaces, incomplete projects and a lack of willingness to ask for help or admit that they have a problem.
It's also normal for females with ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to puberty and adolescence, and also to experience premenstrual dysphoria. The fluctuation in hormone levels can make these symptoms more severe and could be mistaken for other issues like anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women with ADHD often experience an absence of awareness of their condition, and are less likely to receive treatment than men. They are more likely to experience negative consequences in adulthood which include problems with relationships, unemployment and abuse of substances. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the duration of their lives. This gap can be reduced by increasing education and arguing for health professionals, teachers and parents to recognize the symptoms of ADHD in women and girls.