Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have to struggle for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a lightbulb moment for them when they are diagnosed.
Symptoms can fluctuate due to hormonal changes. For instance, women could feel their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women can also take on ADHD traits that lead to depression. This can make it harder to diagnose and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD tend to not be diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their problems start to interfere with work, school and personal relationships. This is partly due to gender biases in both clinical settings and the perceptions of teachers and parents who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys, even when the symptoms are evident (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Inattentional ADHD causes women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose track of time, making it hard to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They might also have difficulty to maintain focus on conversations and can easily get distracted by external stimuli or their own internal thoughts and daydreaming. These issues can result in low performance at work or in school, which could lead to a low self-esteem.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by family, friends and coworkers. Their discontent with their condition can increase the misunderstandings that they experience. This can result in tensions between people. They are often viewed as irrational and moody, which can further aggravate their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD can also suffer from anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by fluctuations in hormone levels like during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal. In this period, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise, which can exacerbate ADHD.
Another cause of inattention ADHD is environmental factors, like a chaotic house environment or work life that lacks structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD often have trouble staying on task at work and may get behind in their work. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. They might also have a harder time accepting criticism or negative feedback which can further undermine their confidence and result in them avoiding social interactions.
In addition, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to have difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely to have coexisting anxiety or depression and may be particularly sensitive to rejection, which could make them less willing to risk a relationship. This can cause them to feel isolated and can lead to depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Most women with undiagnosed ADHD have low self-esteem as they struggle to manage the condition. Others may comment that they are careless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol or drugs. They might also turn to self-injury that is not suicide-related, such as cutting or burning. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often frequently misdiagnosed as having depressive or anxiety disorders. This is because the signs of depression and anxiety are frequently similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might also have mood swings that make them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life events, such as getting married, starting a new job, or becoming a parent.
Undiagnosed inattention ADHD in adults is also frequent, and is often mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty staying focused, feelings of despair or sadness and difficulties in coping with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time-management, can result in issues at work or school and with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in girls and women can lead to problems with managing skills, like procrastination and the tendency to underestimate the time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have trouble keeping an eye on their schedules and appointments and lose or misplace items easily, and flit from one task to the next. They might also be struggling with controlling their impulses. This could include making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
It is crucial for women with undiagnosed ADHD to recognize their symptoms and get help. They can seek help from their primary care physician or a mental health professional. They can also attempt to improve their ability to cope by using organizational techniques, such as making lists or planning ahead. They can also participate in physical exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that improve attention and focus. It is also an excellent idea to split the household and caregiving duties with their partner or other support networks, so that they don't get stressed by chores or running other errands.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is often required to control ADHD symptoms, which includes therapy and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines could help to reduce the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can help with the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is where they teach people how to change negative thoughts or behavior. Some offer one-on-one therapy which focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people with ADHD to meet other people who share the same condition and learn about ways to manage symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD could be a challenge for some women to accept. They may believe that their troubles result from an absence of discipline or bad parenting, and this may affect their self-esteem. In addition, they could be frustrated at their inability to keep up with their work or school, and this can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment.
The symptoms of ADHD can be heightened during hormonal changes, such as those caused by menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. This makes it more difficult to cope with emotional symptoms, such as irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can also cause problems in relationships because of the way they are perceived by others, particularly male colleagues or partners.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to maintain a stable home life. This can cause difficulties at work or school. For instance, they might, forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They may have issues organizing their schoolwork or materials, and may have difficulty completing assignments. They might have trouble in recognizing social boundaries or interrupting people when they talk. These issues can cause conflict in relationships and affect a woman’s sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to seek assistance. They may think that their difficulties are not enough serious to warrant attention, or that they should be capable of "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They may also be afraid of the stigma that comes when they are diagnosed with ADHD which can make it more difficult to seek treatment. If left untreated, ADHD in women can cause depression or suicidal thoughts. Highly recommended Resource site might also adopt unhealthy coping strategies, such alcohol or substance abuse. This could lead to health problems and other issues, such as self-harming that is not suicidal (NSSI) such as burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD frequently have to deal with feelings of unworthiness or chronic stress. This can make it difficult to identify and explain the symptoms, and seek treatment. Women often cover up symptoms or resort to strategies to compensate, particularly as they age, to hide them. Masking can lead to difficulties at school or at work, and can result in relationships being damaged.
In addition, research shows that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms related to sensitivity to rejection, and also to be unable to find jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative thoughts that lead to a lack in confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access the right diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital 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 women and girls become teenagers, they might be confronted with cultural and societal expectations that place the bulk of parenting and household duties on them, and which differ from those placed on fathers. These pressures can cause anxiety and depression, and result in disorganized, chaotic homes, unfinished projects and a reluctance to ask for help or admit that they are struggling.
The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoria as well as the adolescent years are also common among females suffering from ADHD. These symptoms can be exacerbated by the monthly fluctuations in hormones, and may be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood shifts.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and to seek treatment. Because of this, they are more likely to experience a variety of negative consequences as adults which include relationship issues, unemployment, and use of drugs. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap could be eliminated by increasing education and arguing for health professionals as well as teachers and parents to be aware of the signs of ADHD for women and girls.