Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it can be like an epiphany.
The symptoms may change due to hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms get worse during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women also can take on ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This can make it difficult to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their problems begin to affect work or school as well as personal relationships. This is due in part to gender bias in both clinical settings and 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).
Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines, and lose track of time. They also have trouble prioritizing tasks, organizing their thoughts, or making plans for the future. They may also have difficulty keeping their attention during conversations and be easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These signs can lead to low performance at work or at school, leading to low self-esteem.
Family members, friends and colleagues often misunderstand women with inattentive ADHD. Their discontent with their condition heightens the misunderstandings they experience which can result in tensions in relationships. They are often viewed by others as moody or irrational. This can lead to a feeling of being untrusted.
Women who are not attentive ADHD can also suffer from anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations, like when menstrual cycle is in full swing or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. In this time estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels rise which can exacerbate ADHD.
Environmental factors can also cause inattentive ADHD for example, an unorganized home or a work life that is not structured. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty keeping on track and may fall behind at work, leading to a feeling of being unworthy and low confidence. They may also have difficulty accepting criticism or negative feedback, which can further erode their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
Women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to struggle in creating and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely than the rest to be suffering from depression or anxiety and they can be more vulnerable to rejection. This could cause them to be less willing to take on a romantic relationship. This can lead to isolation and can contribute to depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Women with undiagnosed ADHD frequently suffer from low self-esteem as a result of their struggle to deal with. People may tell them that they are careless or forgetful. They may develop unhealthy coping methods, such as excessive drinking or use of drugs. They might also resort to non-suicidal methods of self-injury like cutting, burning or scratching. Symptoms of ADHD can affect relationships as well as work and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This is because many of the symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of ADHD. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may also suffer from mood swings, which can make them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can be triggered by major changes in your life like marriage, beginning an entirely new job, or becoming parents.
Undiagnosed inattentive ADHD in adults is frequent, and is often mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentrating or concentrating, as well as feelings like sadness or hopelessness, as well as difficulties handling stress and criticism. Combined with poor time management, these signs can create difficulties at school or at work and cause problems with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD for girls and women can lead to problems with the ability to cope, including procrastination and a tendency to underestimate the length of time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have difficulty keeping track of their schedules and appointments, are prone to lose or misplace their belongings, and are prone to flitting from one task to another. They might also be struggling with impulse control. This can include making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
Women with undiagnosed 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 skills by employing methods of organization, like writing lists or planning ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus. It is also recommended to divide the caregiving and household responsibilities with their spouse or another family members, so they are not stressed by chores or running run-of-the-mill chores.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is typically required to control ADHD symptoms, which can include medication and therapy. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy is a good way to help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Certain therapists employ cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which helps people to modify negative thoughts and behaviors and others provide one-on-one therapy to improve self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with other people with the same condition and share tips for managing symptoms.
For some women, the diagnosis of inattentive ADHD is difficult to accept. Some women may think that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or a lack of parenting. This could impact their self-esteem. They may also feel embarrassed and ashamed by their inability keep up with school or work.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles and pregnancy or menopausal. This can make it harder to cope with emotional symptoms like irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can cause difficulties in relationships because of the way they are perceived by others.
Women with inattention ADHD often struggle to maintain a steady home life and this can cause difficulties at school or at work. They may, for instance, forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They may have issues organizing their schoolwork or materials, and they might struggle to complete assignments. They might have trouble understanding the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt other people when they are talking. These issues can cause conflicts in relationships, and can affect women's sense of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD aren't able to ask for assistance. They may believe that their problems aren't 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 associated with being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make them less likely to seek treatment. adhd in women treatment in women can result in depression or suicidal thoughts. They can also resort to unhealthy coping behaviors like alcohol or substance abuse which can lead to health problems and other issues, like self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD often have to cope with feelings of inadequateness or chronic stress. This can make it more difficult to identify and explain the symptoms, and get treatment. Women often hide symptoms or use compensatory strategies, particularly as they age, to cover the signs. Masking can cause problems at school or work and may cause relationships to suffer.
Research shows that women with ADHD have a higher chance of feeling a sensitivity to rejection and having difficulty finding a job. These experiences can lead to negative thoughts that can lead to a lack in confidence and problems with interpersonal relationships.
It is important that women with ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also essential to have a therapist or therapist who understands the unique challenges girls and women face with the disorder.
As women and girls grow up, they may be confronted with cultural and societal expectations that place the majority of household and parenting duties on them, and differ from the expectations placed on fathers. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety and can lead to chaotic, unorganized home environments, unfinished projects, and a refusal to seek assistance or admit that they have a problem.
It's also normal for females suffering from ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to puberty and adolescence, and to struggle with premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be caused by the fluctuations in hormones, and could be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. Because of this, they have a higher rate of negative outcomes as adults such as relationships, unemployment and use of drugs. They are also more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and remain undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap can be reduced by increasing education and advocating for health professionals as well as parents and teachers to recognize the symptoms of ADHD among girls and women.