Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggle for years before getting a diagnosis of ADHD. When they do, it can be like a lightbulb moment.
Symptoms can fluctuate due to hormonal changes. Women may be aware that their symptoms are worse during their menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women can also internalize ADHD traits which leads to depression. This makes it harder to recognize and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their problems begin to affect their work or school as well as personal relationships. This is due to gender biases, both in clinical settings and in parents' and teachers' perceptions, who are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD causes women to forget appointments, miss deadlines and lose the track of time, making it hard to plan ahead or organize their thoughts. They also struggle to prioritize tasks. They may also have difficulty keeping their attention during conversations and be easily distracted by external stimuli, internal thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to low performance at work or in school, leading to low self-esteem.
Family members, friends and coworkers are often misinformed about women with inattentive ADHD. Their anger over their symptoms can increase the misperceptions they experience. This can lead to strained relations. They are often viewed by others as sour or crazy. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD also suffer from a range of emotional problems, including depression and anxiety. These issues can be made worse due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause. At these times, estrogen levels drop and progesterone rises which can aggravate ADHD symptoms.
External factors can also contribute to inattentive ADHD for example, a chaotic environment at home or at work with little structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying on task and fall behind at work, leading to feelings of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also find it difficult to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further undermine confidence and cause people to avoid social interactions.
Additionally, women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely than other women to be suffering from depression or anxiety, and they are more vulnerable to rejection. This could make them less willing to risk a romantic relationship. This can cause isolation and can contribute to anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Women with undiagnosed ADHD often suffer from low self esteem due to their struggles to cope. Some may say that they are reckless or forgetful. They could develop unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive drinking or drug use. They might also turn to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting, burning, or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are often more likely to be misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This is because the symptoms of anxiety and depression are typically similar to those of ADHD. Additionally women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are prone to mood swings that cause them to appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life events like getting married, starting a new job or becoming a mother.
Inattentional inattention that is not diagnosed ADHD in adults is common, and can be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include trouble concentration as well as feelings of despair or sadness and difficulty handling stress and criticism. In conjunction with poor time management, these symptoms can create difficulties at school or at work, and lead to difficulties with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in women and girls can affect coping skills, such as procrastination and the tendency to underestimate the length of time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have difficulty keeping track of their schedules and appointments, are prone to lose or misplace items, and are prone to jumping from one task to another. They might also be struggling with the ability to control their impulses. This could mean making impulsive choices or interrupting others.
It is important for women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD to recognize their symptoms and get help. They can seek treatment from their primary healthcare provider or a mental health professional. They can also try to improve their ability to cope by using organizational techniques, such as making lists or preparing in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters, which enhance concentration and attention. It's also a good idea for them to share household and caregiver chores with their partner or another support group so that they don't feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is typically required to control ADHD symptoms, which can include therapy and medication. Stimulant drugs like amphetamines and methylphenidate can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms of inattention. Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can aid in the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Certain therapists employ cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which helps people to change negative thoughts and behavior and others provide one-on-one therapy to improve self-esteem and emotional control. Support groups are a great way for people with ADHD to connect with others who share the same condition and learn about ways to manage their symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD may be difficult for some women to accept. Some women might believe that their issues result from a lack of discipline or a poor parenting style. This could impact their self-esteem. They might be embarrassed and ashamed by their inability maintain their school schedule or work.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes such as those that happen during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or menopausal. This can make it harder to cope with emotional symptoms, like mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can also cause relationship problems because of how they are perceived by others, particularly male partners or colleagues.
Women with inattention ADHD frequently struggle to maintain an orderly home life, and this can cause difficulties at school or at work. They may, for instance, forget important appointments or pay their bills late. They might have difficulty organizing their work or school materials, and they may struggle to complete assignments. They might be unable to comprehend the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt other people when they are talking. These issues can result in conflict in relationships and impact a woman's self-esteem.
add symptoms in women with inattentive ADHD find it difficult to seek help. 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 might also be scared of the stigma associated when they are diagnosed with ADHD and this can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD can become depressed or suicidal. They could also resort to unhealthy coping strategies, such alcohol or drug abuse. This could lead to health problems and other issues like nonsuicidal harming themselves (NSSI) such as cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD are often plagued by feelings of inadequacy and chronic stress. This can make it difficult to recognize and articulate the symptoms, and get treatment. Women often cover up symptoms or employ strategies to compensate, particularly as they get older, to conceal their symptoms. Masking can cause problems at school or at work and may cause relationships to suffer.
Research has shown that women with ADHD are more at likelihood of experiencing sensitivity to rejection and having difficulty finding an employment. These experiences can lead to negative thoughts that can lead to a lack of 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 crucial that they are able to access the right therapist or clinician who is knowledgeable about the issues that girls and women have to face when dealing with ADHD.
As girls and women mature and become more independent, they are likely to be confronted with societal and cultural expectations which place the majority of the household and parenting responsibilities on them. These expectations differ from those that men are expected to meet. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety and can lead to chaotic, unorganized home environments, unfinished projects, and a refusal to ask for assistance or admit that they are struggling.
It is also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms related to puberty and adolescence and also to experience premenstrual dysphoria. The monthly fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms worse and could be misinterpreted as a sign of other issues like anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. This means that they are more likely to experience a variety of negative outcomes as they age, including relationships, unemployment and substance use. They're also more likely be misdiagnosed than males, and to go undiagnosed throughout 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 for women and girls.
