Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it could be like a lightbulb moment.
adhd symptoms women can change due to hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms get worse during their menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women can also internalize their ADHD traits, which leads to depression. This can make it difficult to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed until they reach adulthood, when their issues start to affect work at school, as well as personal relationships. This is due in part to gender biases in both clinical settings and 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 can cause women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose track of time, which makes it hard for them to plan ahead and organize their thoughts. It can also be difficult to prioritize tasks. They might also have difficulty to keep their attention on conversations and easily be distracted by external stimuli or their own internal thoughts and daydreaming. These issues can result in low performance at work or at school, which can lead to a low self-esteem.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their family, friends and coworkers. Their discontent with their condition can lead to confusion and mistrust which can lead to difficult relationships. They are often viewed by others as sour or uninformed. This can increase their feeling of being untrusted.
Women who are not attentive ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. These issues can be exacerbated by hormone fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. At these times, estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
External factors can also contribute to inattentive ADHD like a chaotic environment at home or a work life with little structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD can have difficulty staying on task and fall behind at work, resulting in a feeling of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also have difficulty accepting criticism or negative feedback which can further undermine their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
Women with inattention ADHD have a greater tendency to struggle in creating and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely than other women to suffer from depression or anxiety, and are more vulnerable to rejection. This may make them reluctant to risk a romantic relationship. This can lead them to feel lonely which can cause anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD frequently suffer from low self-esteem due to their struggle to deal with. They might be discouraged by criticism from people who say they are reckless or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They could adopt unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking or use of drugs. They may also resort to self-injury without suicide, like cutting, burning, or scratching. The symptoms of ADHD can interfere with relationships as well as work and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are often 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. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD can also suffer from mood swings, which can make them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can be triggered by major changes in your life such as marriage, starting new jobs, or becoming parents.
Adults with inattentive ADHD are often misdiagnosed and are often mistaken for bipolar or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include trouble concentrating and a feeling of sadness or hopelessness, and difficulty handling stress and criticism. Combined with poor time management, these symptoms can create problems at work or school and cause problems with family and friends.
Inattentive ADHD can lead to problems with coping skills in girls and women, such as procrastination or underestimating how long a task will take (timeblindness). They can have trouble keeping track of their schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace their belongings, and are prone to jump from one task to another. They may also have issues with the ability to control their impulses. This could mean making impulsive choices or interrupting others.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD must be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. They can also try to improve their coping abilities by using organizational techniques like making lists or planning ahead. They can also participate in exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and attention. It's also recommended for them to share household and caregiver chores with their partner or a different support system to ensure they don't feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms typically include medication and therapy. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines could aid in reducing the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. 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 instruct people on how to change negative thoughts or behavior. Others provide one-on-one therapy which focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with other people who have the condition and share tips for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD may be a challenge for some women to accept. They may believe that their troubles stem from a lack of discipline or poor parenting, which can impact their self-esteem. Additionally, they might be frustrated with their inability to keep up with work or school, and this can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes like those that happen during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause. This makes it more difficult to deal with emotional symptoms, such as irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can cause relationship problems because of how they are perceived by other people.
Women with inattention ADHD often struggle to maintain an orderly home life, and this can lead to issues at school or at work. For example, they might miss important appointments or pay bills late. They might have difficulty organizing their schoolwork or materials, and they may be unable to finish assignments. They might be unable to comprehend the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt others while they talk. These problems can lead to conflict in relationships and impact a woman's sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD are hesitant to seek help. They may think that their difficulties are not serious enough to require attention, or that they should be in a position to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They may also be scared of the stigma associated when they are diagnosed with ADHD, which can make it more difficult to seek treatment. Women with untreated ADHD may develop depression or suicidal. They might also adopt unhealthy coping strategies, such drinking or using substances. This could lead to health problems and other issues, such as nonsuicidal harming themselves (NSSI), including burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD are often plagued by feelings of inadequacy and constant stress. This can make it harder to identify and articulate symptoms, and get treatment. It's also normal for women to cover up their symptoms or devise compensatory strategies to hide 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 suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms related to sensitivity to rejection, and also to be unable to find jobs. These experiences can lead to negative self-talk which leads to a lack of confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
It is crucial that women with ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also essential to have a therapist or therapist who understands the unique challenges females and girls face with the disorder.
As girls and women mature, they may face social and cultural expectations that place the majority of household and parenting responsibilities on them. These expectations differ from those placed on men. These pressures can lead to anxiety and depression and lead to chaotic, unorganized home environments, unfinished projects and a reluctance to seek assistance or admit that they are struggling.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of adolescence are also common in females with ADHD. The fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms worse and can be misinterpreted as other problems like anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. They are more likely to suffer negative consequences in adulthood which include relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the duration of 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 among girls and women.