Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women suffer for years prior to receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. When they do, it may be like a lightbulb moment.
Symptoms can fluctuate due to hormonal changes. Women might be aware that their symptoms are worse when they are experiencing menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women may also accept their ADHD traits, which can lead to depression. This can make it more difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed until adulthood, at which point their problems begin to affect work, school, and personal relationships. This is due in part to gender biases in 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 obvious (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, forget deadlines, and lose track of the time. They also have difficulty prioritizing tasks, organizing their thoughts, or planning ahead. They may also have difficulties staying focused during conversations, and are easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor school or work performance which can cause low self-esteem and anger.
Friends, family members and coworkers are often misinformed about women with inattention ADHD. Their anger over their symptoms heightens the misunderstandings they experience, and this can lead to difficult relationships. They are often viewed as being irrational and moody which can further increase their feelings of being misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD may also be suffering from depression and anxiety. These problems can be exacerbated due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance when menstrual cycle is in full swing or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. In this time estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels increase, which can cause an increase in ADHD.
Another cause of inattention ADHD is environmental factors like a chaotic home environment or work life which lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD frequently have difficulty staying on track at work and can fall behind quickly, which results in a feeling of inadequacy and low self-esteem. They may also have a harder time accepting negative feedback or criticism which can further degrade their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
Women with inattention ADHD are more likely to have difficulty creating and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to have coexisting anxiety or depression and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which could make them less willing to commit to a relationship. This can lead them to feel isolated and can lead to depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Women with undiagnosed ADHD frequently suffer from low self esteem due to their struggle to deal with. They can be depressed by comments from other people that they are negligent, forgetful, or aloof. They may develop unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive alcohol or drugs. They may also resort non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning, or scratching. adhd test for women can affect relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed more often as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is because a lot of symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of ADHD. Additionally, women who have undiagnosed ADHD can experience mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can be caused by major life changes such as getting married, starting an entirely new job, or becoming parents.
Inattentional inattention that is not diagnosed ADHD in adults is also common, and can be mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentrating and feelings of sadness or despair and difficulties dealing with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when paired with poor time-management, can lead to issues at work or school and with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD for girls and women can affect coping skills, such as procrastination, and a tendency to underestimate the length of time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have difficulty keeping track of schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace belongings and are susceptible to jumping from one task to the next. They may also struggle with impulse control, like interrupting others or making decisions impulsively.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD must be aware of their symptoms and seek help. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. In addition, they can try to improve their coping abilities by using strategies for organizing, such as writing lists or making plans. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve concentration and attention. It is also an excellent idea to split up household and caregiving responsibilities with their partner or other support network, so they don't get overloaded by chores or errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually include treatment and medication. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms of inattention. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. The behavioral therapy method is a great way to help with 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 one-on-one therapy to improve self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are a great way for people who suffer from ADHD to connect with others who share the same condition and to learn how to manage their symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattention ADHD can be difficult to accept. They might believe that their issues stem from an absence of discipline or poor parenting, and this can impact their self-esteem. Additionally, they might be frustrated at their inability to keep up with their work or school, and this could lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Symptoms of ADHD can be heightened due to hormonal changes like those brought on by menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. This makes it more difficult to cope with emotional symptoms like irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can contribute to relationship difficulties due to how they are perceived by others, especially male colleagues or partners.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to maintain a stable home life. This can cause problems at school or at work. For example, they might miss important appointments or pay bills late. They might have difficulty organizing their school or work materials, and they may struggle to complete assignments. They might have trouble understanding the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt others while they talk. These issues can cause conflicts in relationships, and can affect women's sense of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD have difficulty asking for assistance. They might think that their difficulties are not sufficient to warrant attention or that they should be able to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be afraid of the stigma associated when they are diagnosed with ADHD, which can make it harder for them to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. They can also resort to unhealthy coping methods like alcohol or drug abuse, which can lead to health issues and other issues, including self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) that includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have to deal with feelings of unworthiness or chronic stress. This can make it difficult to identify and explain the symptoms, and get treatment. It is also common for women to mask their symptoms or devise strategies to conceal their symptoms from others, particularly as they get older. Masking can cause problems at work or at school, and it can also affect relationships.
Furthermore, research suggests that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than males to experience symptoms relating to sensitivity to rejection, and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can lead to negative thoughts that lead to a lack of confidence and issues with interpersonal relationships.
It is crucial that women with ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they can access an therapist or a therapist who is knowledgeable about the issues both women and girls confront with ADHD.
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 responsibilities on them. These expectations differ from those placed on men. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety and can lead to chaotic, messy homes, unfinished projects and a lack of willingness to ask for help or admit they have a problem.
It's also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to puberty and adolescence, and also to experience premenstrual dysphoria. The fluctuations in hormone levels can cause these symptoms to become more severe, and they might be misinterpreted as other problems such as anxiety or mood shifts.
Women with ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. Because of this, they are more likely to experience a variety of negative outcomes as adults such as unemployment, relationship problems and addiction. They are also more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and remain undiagnosed for the duration of their lives. This gap could be eliminated by increasing education and arguing for health professionals, parents and teachers to recognize the symptoms of ADHD among girls and women.