Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have struggled for a long time before they were diagnosed with ADHD. When add and adhd in women do, it can be like an epiphany.
The symptoms may change due to hormonal changes. For example, women may feel their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.
Women can also take on their ADHD traits, which can lead to depression. This can make it harder to diagnose and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues start to affect work at school, as well as personal relationships. This is partly due to gender bias in both clinical settings as well as in the perceptions of parents and teachers, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys even when the symptoms are evident (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Inattentive ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines, and lose track of time. They also have difficulty prioritizing tasks, organizing their thoughts or making plans for the future. They may also find it difficult to keep their attention on conversations and easily be distracted by external stimuli or their own internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor performance at school or at work and can lead to low self-esteem and anger.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their friends, family and coworkers. Their frustration with their symptoms can increase the misunderstandings that they experience. This can result in tensions between people. They are often viewed as moody and irrational, which can further aggravate their feelings of being misunderstood.
online with inattention ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. These problems can be exacerbated due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance during menstruation and pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. In these instances, hormone levels of estrogen decrease and progesterone rises and can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms.
Another cause of inattention ADHD is the influence of environmental factors, like a chaotic house environment or work life which lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD often have trouble staying on task at work and can fall behind quickly, which results in a feeling of inadequacy and low self-esteem. They might also have difficulty accepting negative feedback or criticism, which can further erode their confidence and cause them to avoid social interactions.
Women with inattention ADHD have a higher tendency to have difficulty establishing and maintaining romantic relations. They are more likely than others to be suffering from depression or anxiety, and they are more sensitive to rejection. This can cause them to be less willing to risk a romantic connection. This can lead to isolation which can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Most women with undiagnosed ADHD have low self-esteem when they try to deal with the condition. People may tell them that they are careless or forgetful. They may adopt unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or use of drugs. They might also resort to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting or burning. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women with ADHD tend to be mistakenly diagnosed more often as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is because the signs of anxiety and depression are often similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Additionally, women who have undiagnosed ADHD are prone to mood swings that cause them to appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be caused by major life events, such as getting married, beginning a new job, or becoming a parent.
Adults with inattentive ADHD are also often mistakenly diagnosed, and can be mistaken for bipolar or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentration, feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and difficulties in coping with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time-management, can cause difficulties at work or in school, as well as with family members and friends.
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause problems with coping skills for girls and women, such as procrastination or underestimating how long the task will take (timeblindness). They may have difficulty keeping track of their schedules and appointments, are prone to lose or misplace belongings, and are prone to jumping from one task to another. They may also have issues with controlling their impulses. This could mean making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD must be aware of their symptoms and seek assistance. They can seek help from their primary care provider or a mental health professional. They can also attempt to improve their coping abilities by using organizational techniques, such as making lists or planning in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters, which enhance concentration and focus. It is also recommended to divide the caregiving and household responsibilities with their partner or other family members, so they aren't overwhelmed by chores or errands.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is usually needed to manage ADHD symptoms, including medication and therapy. Stimulant medications like amphetamines and methylphenidate can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine. The behavioral therapy method is a great way to help with the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in which they instruct people on how to change negative thoughts or behavior. 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 have the condition and share tips for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD can be a challenge for some women to accept. Some women may think that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or a poor parenting style. This can affect their self-esteem. In addition, they could feel frustrated by their inability to keep up with work or school, which could lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes like those that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. This makes it more difficult to manage emotional symptoms, such as irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can also cause problems in relationships because of the way they are perceived by others, especially male partners or colleagues.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to keep a stable family life. This can lead to problems at school or at work. For instance, they could forget important appointments or pay bills late. They may have issues organizing their schoolwork or materials, and they may struggle to complete assignments. They might have trouble understanding social boundaries and interrupting others while they talk. These issues can cause conflicts in relationships, and affect a woman’s sense of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are unable to seek assistance. They may think that their problems are not sufficient 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 harder for them to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can cause depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also turn to unhealthy coping methods, such as alcohol or substance abuse which can result in health issues and other issues, such as self-injury that is not suicidal (NSSI), which includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often suffering from feelings of inadequacy and chronic stress. This can make it harder to recognize and articulate the symptoms, and seek treatment. Women often hide symptoms or use strategies to compensate, particularly as they age, to cover them. Masking can cause problems at school or work and may result in relationships being damaged.
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 reinforce negative thoughts that lead to a lack of confidence and issues with interpersonal relationships.
For these reasons, it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital that they work with a doctor or therapist who understands the unique challenges that females and girls face with the disorder.
As women and girls mature as they get older, they will be faced with societal and cultural expectations which place the majority of household and parenting obligations on them. These expectations differ from those placed on men. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety. They can also result in a disorganized and chaotic home environment, unfinished projects, and a reluctance for women and girls to ask for assistance.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of adolescence are also common in females who suffer from ADHD. These symptoms can be caused by the fluctuation in hormones, and could be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women with ADHD typically experience an absence of awareness of their condition, and they're less likely to seek treatment than males. They are more likely to experience negative outcomes in adulthood including relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. They are also more likely to be misdiagnosed compared to men, and to go undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be eliminated by increasing education and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women.