Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have struggled for a long time before they were diagnosed with ADHD. It can be a real lightbulb moment for them when they receive a diagnosis.
The symptoms can change with hormonal changes. For example, women may be able to notice that their symptoms become more severe during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to internalize their ADHD traits, which leads to depression. This can make it harder to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect their work or school as well as personal relationships. This is partly due to gender biases in both clinical settings and the perceptions of parents and teachers who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys even when those symptoms are clear (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Attention-deficit ADHD causes women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose the track of time, making it hard for them to plan ahead and organize their thoughts. It can also be difficult to prioritize tasks. undiagnosed adhd in women might also find it difficult to focus on conversations and can easily be distracted by external stimuli or their own internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor work or school performance which can cause low self-esteem and frustration.
Many women with inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood by family, friends and coworkers. Their discontent with their condition can increase the misunderstandings that they experience. This can lead to tensions between people. They are often seen as irrational and moody, which can further aggravate their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattention ADHD are also susceptible to anxiety and depression. These issues can be exacerbated by fluctuations in hormone levels that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or perimenopause. In these instances, hormone levels of estrogen decrease and progesterone rises which can aggravate ADHD symptoms.
The environment can also trigger inattentive ADHD, such as the chaos of your home or a work life that is not structured. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying on track and can get behind in their work, which can lead to a feeling of being unworthy and low confidence. They may also have difficulty accepting criticism or negative feedback, which can further erode their confidence and cause them to avoid social interactions.
Women with inattentive ADHD have a higher tendency to struggle in establishing and maintaining romantic relations. They are more likely to have depression or anxiety that is co-existing and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which can make them less willing to take a risk with a romantic relationship. This can lead to a feeling of isolation which can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD frequently suffer from low self-esteem as a result of their struggles to cope. People may tell them that they're careless or forgetful. They may develop unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drug use. They may also resort to non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning, or scratching. Symptoms of ADHD can interfere with relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women with ADHD tend to be frequently misdiagnosed as suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. This is because the symptoms of depression and anxiety are typically similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Furthermore women with undiagnosed ADHD can experience mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be caused by major life events, such as getting married, starting an entirely new job or becoming a parent.
Adults with inattention ADHD are also often misdiagnosed and are often mistaken as borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. These symptoms include trouble staying focused and a feeling of sadness or hopelessness, and difficulties in coping with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when paired with poor time-management, can lead to problems at school or work and with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD for girls and women can cause trouble with 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 their schedules and appointments, easily lose or misplace items and are prone to flitting from one task to another. They may also have issues with impulse control. This could include making impulsive decisions or interrupting others.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD must be aware of their symptoms and seek help. They can seek treatment through their primary care physician or mental health specialist. In addition they can improve their coping abilities by using organizational strategies, such as making lists or preparing ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve focus and attention. It's also recommended for them to share household and caregiver tasks with their spouse or a different support system to ensure they do not feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is usually required to treat ADHD symptoms, which includes therapy and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines can help reduce the inattention symptoms of ADHD. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. undiagnosed adhd in women can aid in the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in which they help people change negative thoughts or behaviors. Some offer one-on-one therapy which focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with other people who suffer from the disorder and share tips for managing symptoms.
For some women, the diagnosis of inattention ADHD is difficult to accept. They might believe that their troubles result from an absence of discipline or bad parenting, and this may impact their self-esteem. They may also feel embarrassed and ashamed due to their inability to keep up with school or work.
Symptoms of ADHD can heighten during hormonal changes like those brought on by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopause. This can make it more difficult to deal with emotional symptoms, like mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can also cause issues in relationships due to how they are perceived by others.
Women who are not attentive ADHD frequently struggle to maintain a steady home life and this can lead to problems at work or school. For instance, they may forget important appointments or pay bills late. They may have trouble organizing their school or work materials and may have difficulty completing tasks. They might have trouble understanding the social boundaries and interrupting other people while they are talking. These issues can lead to conflicts in relationships and impact a woman's overall perception of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD aren't able to ask for assistance. They may believe that their difficulties are not enough serious to warrant attention, or that they should be in a position to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They may also be afraid of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD which can make it difficult for them to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also engage in unhealthy coping strategies, such alcohol or substance abuse. This could lead to health problems and other issues such as self-harming and non-suicidal (NSSI), including cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD frequently have to deal with feelings of inadequacy or chronic stress. This can make it difficult to recognize and articulate the symptoms and seek treatment. It's also normal for women to mask their symptoms or devise strategies to conceal them from others, particularly as they age. Masking can cause problems at school or work and may affect relationships.
In addition, research shows that women with ADHD are more likely than males to experience symptoms relating to sensitivity to rejection, and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can trigger negative thoughts that can lead to a lack in confidence and difficulties with interpersonal relationships.
It is crucial that women with ADHD receive a proper 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 mature, they may face the expectations of society and culture that place the majority of parenting and household responsibilities on them. These expectations are different from those imposed on men. These pressures can lead to anxiety and depression and result in a messy and chaotic home environment as well as unfinished projects and an inability for girls and women to reach out for help.
It is also common for females suffering from ADHD to experience symptoms related to adolescence and puberty, and also to experience premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be exacerbated by the monthly fluctuations in hormones, and may be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood shifts.
Women who suffer from ADHD often experience insufficient awareness of their condition, and they're less likely to seek treatment than males. They are more likely to experience negative outcomes in adulthood which include unemployment, relationship issues, and substance abuse. They're also more likely to be misdiagnosed compared to men, and to go undiagnosed throughout their lives. This gap can be lowered by educating the public and advocating for health professionals as well as teachers and parents to be aware of the signs of ADHD in women and girls.