Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have struggled for a long time before being diagnosed with ADHD. It can be a real lightbulb moment when they are diagnosed.
The symptoms may change due to hormonal changes. For example, women may notice their symptoms get worse during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to be prone to internalizing ADHD traits that lead to depression. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed until adulthood when their problems begin to affect work or school as well as personal relationships. This is due to gender bias in the clinical setting and in parents' and teachers perceptions. Teachers and parents are less likely than males to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause 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 difficulty keeping their attention during conversations and are easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to low performance at work or in school, which could lead to a low self-esteem.
Family members, friends and coworkers are often misinformed about women with inattentive ADHD. Their frustration with their symptoms can lead to confusion and mistrust which can lead to difficult relationships. They are often viewed by others as sour or uninformed. adhd in young women can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD also suffer from a variety of emotional difficulties, including depression and anxiety. These problems can be exacerbated due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance during menstrual cycles and pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. In these instances, estrogen levels drop and progesterone rises, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
External factors can also contribute to inattentive ADHD like an unorganized home or in a workplace without a clear structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty keeping on track and may get behind in their work, which can lead to a feeling of being unworthy and low confidence. They might also have a harder time accepting negative feedback or criticism, which can further erode their confidence and cause them to avoid social interactions.
Additionally, women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to struggle with establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to have coexisting anxiety or depression and may be particularly sensitive to rejection, which may make them less willing to risk a relationship. This can lead to a feeling of isolation which can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Women with undiagnosed ADHD often suffer from low self-esteem as a result of their struggle to cope. They can be discouraged by criticism from people that they are careless, forgetful, or aloof. They may adopt unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking or drugs. They might also resort to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting or burning. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Women and girls with ADHD tend to be mistakenly diagnosed more often as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is because the symptoms of depression and anxiety are frequently similar to those of ADHD. Additionally women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are prone to mood swings that cause them to appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be caused by major life events, such as getting married, beginning in a new job, or becoming a parent.
Adults with inattentive ADHD are often misdiagnosed, and may be mistaken for borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentration as well as feelings of despair or sadness, and difficulty handling criticism and stress. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time management, can result in difficulties at work or in school and with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD in women and girls can affect coping skills, such as procrastination and the tendency to underestimate the length of time tasks will take (time blindness). They can have trouble keeping track of schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace their belongings and are prone to jumping from one task to the next. They might also be struggling with impulse control. This can include making impulsive decisions or interrupting others.
It is important for women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD to understand their symptoms and seek help. They can seek help from their primary care provider or a mental health professional. They can also seek to improve their coping skills by using organizational techniques like creating lists or preparing in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters, which enhance focus and attention. It is also a good idea to divide up household and caregiving responsibilities with their partner or other support networks, so that they aren't overloaded by chores or other errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms typically include medication and therapy. The stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines may help reduce the inattention symptoms of ADHD. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can aid in the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is where they instruct people on how to modify negative thoughts or behaviors. Some offer one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem as well as emotional regulation. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with others who suffer from the disorder and share tips for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD may be a challenge for some women to accept. They might believe that their issues stem from a lack of discipline or poor parenting, which can affect their self-esteem. Additionally, they might be frustrated with their inability to keep up with their work or school, which could lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes such as those that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it difficult to cope with emotional manifestations like anger or mood swings. These symptoms can also cause problems in relationships because of the way they are perceived by others, particularly male friends or colleagues.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to keep a stable home life. This can cause difficulties 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 materials and may be unable to complete tasks. They might be unable to comprehend social boundaries and interrupting others while they talk. These issues can create conflict in relationships and impact a woman's overall perception of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD aren't able to ask for help. They might think that their issues aren't severe enough to warrant attention, or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be afraid of the stigma that comes with getting a diagnosis of ADHD which can make it harder for them to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD can be depressed or suicidal. They can also resort to unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol or substance abuse, which can lead to health issues and other issues, like self-injury that is not suicidal (NSSI), which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often plagued by feelings of inadequacy and constant stress. This can make it more difficult to identify and articulate symptoms, and seek treatment. Women often hide symptoms or use strategies to compensate, particularly as they age, to cover them. Masking can cause issues at work or school and can affect relationships.
In addition, research shows that women with ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms that are related to rejection sensitivity, and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can lead to negative thoughts that lead to a lack of confidence and difficulties with interpersonal relationships.
It is essential that women with ADHD receive a proper diagnosis and treatment. It's also essential that they have a clinician or therapy professional who is knowledgeable of the unique challenges that females and girls confront with the disorder.
As girls and women mature and become more independent, they are likely to be confronted with the expectations of society and culture that place the majority of parenting and household responsibility on them. These expectations differ from those that men are expected to meet. These pressures can trigger depression and anxiety, and can result in a disorganized and chaotic home environment as well as unfinished projects and the reluctance of women and girls to ask for help.
It's also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms related to adolescence and puberty, and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. The monthly fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms more severe and could be mistaken for other issues like anxiety or mood swings.
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. This means that they are more likely to experience a variety of negative outcomes as adults which include relationships, unemployment and use of drugs. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the duration of their lives. This gap can be lowered by increasing education and advocating for health professionals, teachers and parents to be aware of the symptoms of ADHD for women and girls.