Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women had to struggle for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it can be like a lightbulb moment.
Symptoms can fluctuate due to hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms get worse when they are experiencing menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also can internalize ADHD traits that lead to depression. This can make it harder to identify and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their problems start to affect work or school as well as personal relationships. This is partly due to gender biases in clinical settings as well as in the perceptions of parents and teachers, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys even when the symptoms are clear (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines and lose track of the time. They also have trouble managing their thoughts or making plans for the future. They may be unable to focus on conversations and may get distracted by external stimuli or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These signs can lead to low performance at work or in school, leading to low self-esteem.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood and mistreated by their family, friends and colleagues. Their discontent with their condition increases the mistrust they face which can lead to strained relationships. They are often dismissed by others as moody or crazy. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD can also suffer from anxiety and depression. These issues can be made more difficult due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance during menstruation, pregnancy, or perimenopause. In this time estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase, which can cause an increase in ADHD.
The environment can also trigger inattentive ADHD for example, the chaos of your home or at work with little structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty keeping on track and may get behind in their work, resulting in feelings of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further diminish confidence and cause people to avoid social interaction.
Additionally, women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to have difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely than others to be suffering from depression or anxiety and are more susceptible to rejection. This can make them less willing to take on a romantic relationship. This can lead to a feeling of isolation which can lead to depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Women with undiagnosed ADHD often have low self esteem due to their struggle to cope. They can be depressed by comments from other people who say they are reckless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive alcohol or drugs. They might also resort to non-suicidal forms of self-injury such as cutting, burning or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed more often as suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. This is due to the fact that many of the symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of ADHD. Furthermore women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may experience mood swings that cause them to appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can be brought on by major life changes such as getting married, starting new jobs, or becoming parents.
Undiagnosed inattentive ADHD in adults is common, and can be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include trouble concentration, feelings of despair or sadness and difficulties in coping with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when paired with poor time management, could result in issues at work or school and with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD can lead to problems with coping skills in girls and women, which can include procrastination or underestimating the time the task will take (timeblindness). They may have trouble keeping track of appointments and schedules, misplace or lose belongings easily, and flit from one task to the next. They can also have problems with impulse control, like interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD should understand their symptoms and seek help. adhd in older women can seek help through their primary care provider or mental health specialist. In addition they can improve their coping skills by using organizational strategies, such as making lists or planning ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve concentration and focus. It's also recommended for them to share household and caregiver tasks with their spouse or another support group so that they aren't overwhelmed.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually include treatment and medication. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines may help to reduce the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Certain therapists employ cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which teaches people to change negative thoughts and behavior as well as offer one-on-one therapy for self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for those who suffer from ADHD to connect with other people with the same diagnosis and to learn how to manage their symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattention ADHD is difficult to accept. They may believe that their problems result from a lack of discipline or bad parenting, and this can impact their self-esteem. They may be embarrassed and ashamed because they are unable to maintain their school schedule or work.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes such as those that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it harder to cope 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 inattention ADHD struggle to ensure a stable family life. This can cause difficulties at work or school. For instance, they could not remember important appointments or pay bills late. They may have issues organizing their school or work materials, and may have difficulty completing assignments. They might have trouble in recognizing social boundaries or interrupting people when they are talking. These problems can cause conflict in relationships and affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD have difficulty asking for assistance. They may think that their difficulties are not serious enough to require attention, or that they should be capable of "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be afraid of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD which can make it more difficult to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also engage in unhealthy strategies for coping, such as drinking or using substances. This can cause health problems and other issues such as self-harming and non-suicidal (NSSI) which includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD often have to cope with feelings of unworthiness or chronic stress. This can make it harder to recognize and articulate the symptoms and seek treatment. Women often cover up symptoms or use compensatory strategies, particularly as they age, to cover the signs. Masking can cause issues at school or work and may affect relationships.
Additionally, research has shown that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms related to rejection sensitivity and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can lead to negative self-talk that leads to anxiety and difficulty in social relationships.
It is crucial that women with ADHD receive a proper diagnosis and treatment. It's also essential that they work with a doctor or therapy professional who is knowledgeable of the unique challenges that females and girls confront with the disorder.
As girls and women mature as they get older, they will be faced with societal and cultural expectations which place the majority of the household and parenting obligations on them. These expectations differ from those placed on men. These pressures can lead to anxiety and depression, and result in chaotic, unorganized home environments, unfinished projects and a lack of willingness to seek assistance or admit that they are struggling.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of the adolescent years are also common among females suffering from ADHD. The fluctuations in hormone levels can cause these symptoms to become more severe and could be misinterpreted as other problems such as anxiety or mood shifts.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience a lack of awareness about their condition, and they're less likely to receive treatment than men. As a result, they have a higher rate of negative consequences as adults which include relationships, unemployment and substance use. They are also more likely to be misdiagnosed than males, and to go undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be eliminated by increasing awareness and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD in girls and women.