Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women suffer for years prior to receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. When they do, it may be like a lightbulb moment.
The symptoms often change in response to hormonal changes. Women may be aware that their symptoms are worse during their menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women also can take on ADHD traits that lead to depression. This can make it harder to identify and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD often do not get diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their problems start to interfere with school, work and personal relationships. This is because of gender bias in both the clinical setting as well as in parents' and teachers perceptions. Teachers and parents are less likely than boys to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit 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 planning ahead. They may also have difficulty to focus on conversations and can easily be distracted by external stimuli or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor performance at school or at work and can lead to low self-esteem and frustration.
Family members, friends and coworkers are often misinformed about women with inattention ADHD. Their discontent with their condition can increase the misperceptions they face. This can lead to strained relations. They are often viewed as moody and irrational, which can increase the feeling that they are misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD also experience a range of emotional problems, including depression and anxiety. These issues can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycles and pregnancy or perimenopausal. In this period, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase, which can exacerbate ADHD.
Another cause of inattentive ADHD is environmental factors, like a chaotic home environment or work life that does not provide enough structure. Women with inattentive ADHD often have trouble staying on task at work and may fall behind quickly, which leads to a sense of inadequacy and low self-esteem. They may also be unable to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further erode confidence and lead to people avoiding social interaction.
Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety that is co-existing and are more prone to rejection, which may make them more reluctant to commit to a relationship. This can lead to isolation, which can also contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD frequently suffer from low self-esteem as a result of their struggle to cope. They might be discouraged by criticism from people who say they are reckless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. They might also resort to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting, burning, or scratching. The symptoms of ADHD can interfere with relationships, work, and school.
Women and girls with ADHD tend to be frequently misdiagnosed as having depressive or anxiety disorders. This is because the symptoms of depression and anxiety are often similar to those of ADHD. In adult female adhd symptoms who are not diagnosed with ADHD may experience mood swings that cause them to appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be caused by major life changes such as getting married, beginning an entirely new job or becoming a parent.
Undiagnosed inattention ADHD in adults is prevalent, and could be mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentrating, feelings of despair or sadness, and difficulties in coping with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time-management, can lead to problems at school or work, as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD can lead to problems with coping skills for girls and women, which can include procrastination or underestimating how long an activity will take (timeblindness). They may have difficulty keeping track of their schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace their belongings and are prone to jump between tasks. They may also have issues with controlling their impulses. This can include making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD should be aware of their symptoms and seek assistance. They can seek help through their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. Additionally they can improve their coping abilities by employing organizational strategies, such as writing lists or preparing ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve concentration and focus. It is also an excellent idea to split the household and caregiving duties with their partner or other family members, so they don't get stressed by chores or running errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually involve therapy and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines could help reduce the inattention symptoms of ADHD. There are also non-stimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy can aid in the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is where they help people change negative thoughts or behaviors. Other therapists offer one-onone therapy that focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for those with ADHD to connect with others who share the same condition and to learn how to manage their symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be difficult to accept. Some women may think that their issues are caused by a lack discipline or poor parenting. This can affect their self-esteem. In addition, they may be frustrated with their inability to keep up with their work or school, and this could lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstruation and pregnancy or menopausal. This can make it harder to deal with emotional manifestations such as mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can also lead to relationship problems because of how they are perceived by others.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to maintain an orderly family life. This can cause problems at school or at work. They might, for example, forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They may have trouble organizing their work or school materials and might have difficulty completing tasks. They may have difficulty understanding social boundaries and interrupting other people when they are talking. These issues can create conflicts in relationships and affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD find it difficult to seek help. They may think that their symptoms aren't severe enough to warrant attention or they believe that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be scared of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD which could make it more difficult to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD may develop depression or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol or substance abuse which can lead to health problems and other issues, such as nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) which can involve burning or cutting.
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 articulate symptoms, and get treatment. It is also common for women to mask their symptoms or devise compensatory strategies to hide them from others, especially as they get older. Masking can cause problems at school or work, and can result in relationships being damaged.
Research has shown that women with ADHD have a higher likelihood of experiencing sensitivity to rejection and finding it difficult to get jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative self-talk which leads to a lack of confidence and difficulty with interpersonal relationships.
In these circumstances, it's important for women with ADHD to be able to access the right diagnosis and treatment. It's also crucial to have a therapist or therapist who understands the unique challenges that girls and women face with the disorder.
As girls and women become teenagers, they might be confronted with cultural and societal expectations that place the majority of household and parenting duties on them, and differ from those placed on fathers. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety, and result in disorganized, chaotic living spaces, incomplete projects and a reluctance to ask for assistance or admit that they are struggling.
It's also normal for females suffering from ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to adolescence and puberty, and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. The monthly fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms more severe and can be mistaken for other issues like anxiety or mood shifts.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. They are more likely to suffer negative consequences in adulthood, such as relationships, unemployment, and substance abuse. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and remain undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap can be eliminated by enhancing awareness and advocacy efforts to help health professionals as well as teachers and parents to recognize the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women.