Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women had to struggle for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a lightbulb moment for them when they receive a diagnosis.
The symptoms often change in response to hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms get worse during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women can also accept their ADHD traits, which leads to depression. This makes it more difficult to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect work or school as well as personal relationships. This is due to gender bias in the clinical setting as well as in teachers' and parents perceptions. Teachers and parents are less likely than males to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentional ADHD causes women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose track of time, making it hard for them to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They might also find it difficult to focus on conversations and easily be distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor school or work performance which can cause 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 lead to confusion and mistrust and can cause tensions in relationships. They are often dismissed as irrational and moody, which can further aggravate their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD may also be suffering from depression and anxiety. These issues can be made worse due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. In adhd in women uk , estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels increase, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Another reason for inattentive ADHD is environmental factors, like a chaotic home or work environment that does not provide enough structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty keeping on track and may get behind in their work, resulting in a feeling of failure 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.
Women who are inattentive ADHD have a higher tendency to struggle with establishing and maintaining romantic relations. They are more likely than other women to suffer from anxiety or depression, and are more vulnerable to rejection. This could make them reluctant to risk a romantic relationship. This can lead to isolation which can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Many women who are not diagnosed with ADHD have low self-esteem while trying to cope with the condition. They might be discouraged by criticism from people that they are negligent, forgetful, or aloof. They could develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive alcohol or drug use. They may also resort non-suicidal methods of self-injury like cutting, burning or scratching. Symptoms of ADHD can cause problems with relationships as well as work and school.
Women and girls with ADHD are often more likely to be misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. This is because a lot of symptoms of these disorders are similar with those of ADHD. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might also experience mood swings, making them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be caused by major life changes like getting married, beginning an entirely new job or becoming a parent.
Adults who have inattention ADHD are also often mistakenly diagnosed, and can be mistaken as borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentrating, feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and difficulties in coping with criticism and stress. Combined with poor time management, these signs can create problems at school or at work, and lead to difficulties with family and friends.
Inattentive ADHD in women and girls can cause trouble with managing skills, like procrastination and the tendency to underestimate how long tasks will take (time blindness). They may struggle to keep an eye on their schedules and appointments and may lose or misplace their belongings quickly, and easily jump from one task to the next. They might also be struggling with impulse control. This could mean making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD should be aware of their symptoms and seek help. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. They can also seek to improve their coping abilities through organizing techniques like creating lists or planning ahead. They can also take part in exercises, which release neurotransmitters that improve focus and attention. It is also an excellent idea to split the household and caregiving duties with their partner or other support network, so they are not overwhelmed by chores or run-of-the-mill chores.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually include medication and therapy. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines may aid in reducing the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. There are also nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy can help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in which they help people modify negative thoughts or behaviors. Other therapists offer one-onone therapy which focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for those suffering from ADHD to connect with other people with the same diagnosis and learn about how to manage symptoms.
For some women, the diagnosis of inattention ADHD can be difficult to accept. Some women may think that their issues are caused by a lack discipline or a lack of parenting. This could affect their self-esteem. In addition, they may be frustrated with their inability to keep up with their work or school, which can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes like those that occur during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it harder to manage emotional manifestations such as mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can cause issues in relationships due to how they are perceived by others.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to ensure an orderly family life. This can cause problems at school or at work. For instance, they may forget important appointments or pay bills late. They may have trouble organizing their schoolwork or materials, and may be unable to finish assignments. They might be unable to comprehend social boundaries and interrupting other people while talking. These issues can create conflicts in relationships and can impact a woman's overall perception of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD have difficulty asking for help. They may think that their issues aren't serious enough to require attention or that they should be able to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be scared of the stigma that comes when they are diagnosed with ADHD, which can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women with untreated ADHD may develop depression or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy coping methods, such as alcohol or substance abuse, which can result in health problems and other issues, such as self-injury that is not suicidal (NSSI) that includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD often struggle with feelings of unworthiness or chronic stress. This can make it more difficult to identify and articulate symptoms, and seek treatment. It's also common for women to mask their symptoms or devise strategies to disguise them from others, especially as they get older. Masking can lead to problems at school or work, and it can also affect relationships.
Additionally, research has shown that women with ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms related to rejection sensitivity, and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can lead to negative thoughts that lead to a lack in confidence and problems in interpersonal relationships.
In these circumstances, it's crucial for women suffering from ADHD to have access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's also crucial that they have a clinician or therapy professional who is knowledgeable of the unique challenges girls and women face with the disorder.
As girls and women grow older, they could encounter cultural and social norms that place the majority of household and parenting duties on them, and differ from the expectations placed on fathers. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety, and result in chaotic, unorganized living spaces, incomplete projects and a reluctance to seek help or admit that they have a problem.
It's also normal for females suffering from ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to adolescence and puberty, and also to experience premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be made worse by the fluctuation in hormones, and may be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood swings.
Women with ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and to seek treatment. They are more likely to experience negative outcomes in adulthood, such as relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. They're also more likely to be misdiagnosed compared to men and remain undiagnosed throughout their lives. This gap can be reduced by increasing education and arguing for health professionals, teachers and parents to be aware of the signs of ADHD in women and girls.