Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it can be like a lightbulb moment.
The symptoms can change due to hormonal changes. For instance, women could be able to notice that their symptoms become more severe during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.
Women can also internalize their ADHD traits, which can lead to depression. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD tend to not be diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect them with work, school and personal relationships. This is due in part to gender bias in both clinical settings and in the perceptions of teachers and parents, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms for girls than boys, even when the symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Inattentive ADHD can cause women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose track of time, which makes it difficult for them to plan ahead and organize their thoughts. It can also be difficult to prioritize tasks. They may also find it difficult to keep their attention on conversations and easily get distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor work or school performance, which leads to low self-esteem and frustration.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by family, friends and colleagues. Their frustration with their symptoms can increase the misunderstandings that they encounter. This can lead to strained relations. They are often viewed by others as sour or irrational. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD are also afflicted by various emotional issues such as anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations, such as during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal. In this time estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase, which can cause an increase in ADHD.
Another reason for inattentive ADHD is the influence of environmental factors, such as a chaotic home environment or work life that does not provide enough structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying on track and can become distracted at work, leading to feelings of being unworthy and low confidence. They may also be unable to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further diminish confidence and cause people to avoid social interaction.
Women who are inattentive ADHD are more likely to have difficulty developing 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 can make them less willing to risk a relationship. This can lead to isolation which can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Most women with undiagnosed ADHD have low self-esteem when they try to cope with the disorder. adhd in women treatment may become discouraged by criticism from people that they are negligent or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They might develop unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking or drug use. They might also resort to self-injury that is not suicide-related, such as cutting or burning. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed more often as having depressive or anxiety disorders. This is due to the fact that many of the symptoms of these disorders are similar with the symptoms of ADHD. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may also have mood swings that make them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can be brought on by major changes in your life like marriage, starting a new career, or becoming parents.
Adults with inattention ADHD are often misdiagnosed, and may be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating and feelings of despair or sadness and issues dealing with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time-management, can lead to difficulties at work or in school and with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in girls and women can cause trouble with managing skills, like procrastination, and a tendency to underestimate how long tasks will take (time blindness). They can have trouble keeping track of schedules and appointments, easily lose or misplace belongings and are susceptible to jumping from one task to the next. They may also have issues with the ability to control their impulses. This can include making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
It is important for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD to be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment from their primary healthcare provider or a mental health specialist. In addition they can improve their coping abilities by employing strategies for organizing, such as making lists or preparing ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve focus and attention. It is also a good idea to divide up household and caregiving responsibilities with their spouse or another support network, so they aren't stressed by chores or running run-of-the-mill chores.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms typically include medication and therapy. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines can help to reduce the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy is a good option to treat the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Therapists may employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people to change negative thoughts and behavior, while others offer individual therapy for self-esteem and emotional control. Support groups are an excellent way for those with ADHD to connect with other people who share the same condition and to learn how to manage symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD may be difficult for some women to accept. Some women may think that their problems result from a lack of discipline or poor parenting. This could impact their self-esteem. Additionally, they might feel frustrated by their inability to keep up with work or school, which could lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it harder to cope with emotional manifestations such as mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can also cause relationship problems because of the way they are perceived by others, especially male colleagues or partners.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to ensure an orderly family life. This can lead to problems at school or at work. For instance, they could forget important appointments or pay bills late. They might have difficulty organizing their schoolwork or materials, and may struggle to complete assignments. They might have trouble understanding social boundaries and interrupting other people when they are talking. These issues can lead to conflict in relationships and impact a woman's overall perception of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are hesitant to seek help. They may believe that their problems are not serious enough to warrant attention or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be afraid of the stigma that comes from being diagnosed with ADHD which could make them less likely to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can result in depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also engage in unhealthy coping strategies, such alcohol or drug abuse. high functioning adhd in women can cause health problems and other issues, such as self-harming and non-suicidal (NSSI), including cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD often have to cope with feelings of inadequateness or chronic stress. This can make it difficult to recognize and articulate the symptoms, and seek treatment. It's also normal for women to hide their symptoms or develop compensatory strategies to hide their symptoms from others, particularly as they get older. Masking can lead to problems at school or work and can affect relationships.
Research has shown that women with ADHD are at a higher likelihood of experiencing sensitivity to rejection and having difficulty finding a job. These experiences can trigger negative thoughts that lead to a lack in confidence and problems in interpersonal relationships.
It is crucial that women with ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital that they work with a doctor or therapist who understands the unique challenges that females and girls face with the disorder.
As women and girls mature, they may face the expectations of society and culture that place the majority of the household and parenting responsibility on them. These expectations differ from those imposed on men. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety, and result in disorganized, chaotic living spaces, incomplete projects, and a refusal to seek assistance or admit that they are struggling.
It's also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to puberty and adolescence and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. The fluctuation in hormone levels can cause these symptoms to become more severe and can be misinterpreted as a sign of other issues such as anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women suffering from ADHD are often unable to communicate their condition because of an absence of awareness of their condition, and they're less likely to receive treatment than males. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes as they age, such as unemployment, relationship issues, and substance abuse. They're also more likely to be misdiagnosed than men and are more likely to remain undiagnosed throughout their lives. This gap can be reduced by increasing education and advocating for health professionals as well as teachers and parents to recognize the symptoms of ADHD in women and girls.