Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women suffer for years prior to getting a diagnosis of ADHD. It could be a lightbulb moment for them when they receive a diagnosis.
Symptoms can fluctuate due to hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms get worse during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women may also internalize their ADHD traits, which leads to depression. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are typically not diagnosed until they reach adulthood, when their issues begin to affect work at school, as well as personal relationships. This is due in part to gender biases in both clinical settings as well as in 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 the track of time, making it difficult to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They may also have difficulty staying focused during conversations, and are easily distracted by external stimuli, internal thoughts or daydreaming. These signs can lead to low performance at work or at school, which can lead to low self-esteem.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their family, friends and coworkers. Their discontent with their condition increases the mistrust they face and can cause strained relationships. They are often viewed by others as moody or crazy. This can increase their feeling of being untrusted.
Women with inattentive ADHD are also afflicted by a variety of emotional difficulties such as anxiety and depression. These problems can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, such as during menstrual cycles and pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. In this time estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels increase, which can cause an increase in ADHD.
Environmental factors can also cause inattentive ADHD for example, a chaotic environment at home or a work life that is not structured. Women with inattentive ADHD can have difficulty staying on task and become distracted at work, which can lead to a feeling of insecurity and a sense of failure. They might also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further undermine confidence and cause people to avoid social interaction.
In addition, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety that is co-existing and may be particularly sensitive to rejection, which could make them less willing to commit to a relationship. This can cause them to feel alone which can cause depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD often have low self-esteem due to their struggle to deal with. They might be discouraged by comments from others that they are careless or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They might develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive alcohol or drug use. They may also resort to non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning, or scratching. Symptoms of ADHD can cause problems with relationships at work, school, and other activities.
Girls and women with ADHD tend to be misdiagnosed more often as suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. This is because many of the symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of ADHD. Additionally, women who have undiagnosed ADHD can experience mood swings that cause them to appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be caused by major life changes, such as getting married, starting a new job, or becoming a parent.
Inattentional inattention that is not diagnosed ADHD in adults is frequent, and is often mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating, feelings such as sadness or despair and issues handling stress and criticism. When combined with poor time management, these signs can create problems at work or school, and lead to difficulties with family and friends.
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause issues with coping abilities in women and girls, including procrastination or underestimating the time an activity will take (timeblindness). They can have trouble keeping track of schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace their belongings and are prone to flitting from one task to another. They may also struggle with impulse control, such as interrupting others or making decisions impulsively.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD should understand their symptoms and seek assistance. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or mental health specialist. In addition, they can try to improve their coping abilities by making use of methods of organization, like making lists or planning ahead. They can also participate in exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that increase focus and attention. It is also a good idea to divide up household and caregiving responsibilities with their spouse or another family members, so they don't get stressed by chores or running errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms typically include treatment and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can aid in the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in which they help people change negative thoughts or behavior. Others provide one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem as well as emotional regulation. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with other people with the same condition and share ideas about managing symptoms.
For some women, the diagnosis of inattentive ADHD is difficult to accept. They may believe that their troubles stem from a lack of discipline or bad parenting, and this can impact their self-esteem. They may also feel embarrassed and ashamed due to their inability to keep up with school or work.
The symptoms of ADHD can heighten when hormonal changes occur, such as those caused by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopause. This makes it more difficult to cope with emotional symptoms like mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can also contribute to relationship difficulties due to the way they are perceived by other people, especially male friends or colleagues.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to ensure a stable family life. This can lead to difficulties at work or school. For instance, they could forget important appointments or pay bills late. They may have trouble organizing their work or school materials, and they might be unable to finish assignments. They might have trouble in recognizing social boundaries or interrupting other people while they are talking. These problems can cause conflicts in relationships and can affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD have difficulty asking for assistance. They may think that their problems are not serious enough to warrant attention or they believe that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. 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. Women who have untreated ADHD can be depressed or suicidal. They can also resort to unhealthy coping methods such as drinking alcohol or drug abuse, which can lead to health issues and other issues, like nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) that includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle with feelings of inadequacy or constant stress. This can make it more difficult to recognize and articulate the symptoms and seek treatment. It is also common for women to mask their symptoms or devise strategies to disguise them from others, especially as they age. Masking can lead to difficulties at school or at work and may 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 to have trouble finding jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative thoughts that can lead to a lack in confidence and difficulties with interpersonal relationships.
For these reasons, it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access the right diagnosis and treatment. It's important that they have access to a clinician or therapist that is familiar with the challenges both women and girls have to face when dealing with ADHD.
As girls and women mature, they may face social and cultural expectations that place the majority of the household and parenting responsibility on them. These expectations differ from those placed on men. she said can lead to depression and anxiety and can lead to disorganized, chaotic homes, unfinished projects and a reluctance to ask for help or admit that they have a problem.
It's also common for females suffering from ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to puberty and adolescence and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be exacerbated by the fluctuations in hormones and can be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood shifts.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience an absence of awareness of their condition, and are less likely to seek treatment than males. They are more likely to suffer negative consequences in adulthood including problems with relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. They are also more likely to be misdiagnosed than men and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap could be closed by enhancing education and advocacy efforts to help health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women.