Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women had to struggle for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it could be like an epiphany.
Symptoms often fluctuate with hormonal changes. For instance, women could feel their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also can be prone to internalizing ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This can make it harder to identify and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD typically are not diagnosed until adulthood, when their problems start to interfere with school, work, and 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 if the symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Inattentive ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines and lose track of the time. They also have trouble managing their thoughts or planning ahead. They may also find it difficult to focus 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 which can cause feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their friends, family and coworkers. Their anger over their symptoms can increase the misperceptions they experience. inattentive add in women can lead to tensions in relationships. They are often viewed as irrational and moody, which can further increase their feelings of being misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD also experience a range of emotional problems that include anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by fluctuations in hormone levels like during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy or perimenopausal. During this time estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels increase, which can exacerbate ADHD.
Environmental factors can also cause inattentive ADHD like an unorganized home or a work life with little structure. treatment for adhd in women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay on task at work and fall behind quickly, which can lead to feelings of self-doubt and a sense of failure. They may also have difficulty accepting criticism or negative feedback which can further degrade their confidence and cause them to avoid social interactions.
Additionally, women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely to have coexisting anxiety or depression and are more prone to rejection, which may cause them to be more reluctant to commit to a relationship. This can lead to a feeling of isolation, which can also contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Often, women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem as they struggle to deal with the condition. They might be discouraged by criticism from people who say they are reckless or forgetful. They could develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive alcohol or drugs. They may also resort to non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD tend to be frequently misdiagnosed as having depressive or anxiety disorders. This is because the signs of depression and anxiety are frequently similar to those of ADHD. Furthermore women with undiagnosed ADHD are prone to mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be caused by major life changes such as getting married, beginning in a new job, or becoming a parent.
Adults with inattention ADHD are also commonly mistakenly diagnosed, and can be mistaken as borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentration and a feeling of sadness or hopelessness, and difficulty handling criticism and stress. Combined with poor time management, these signs can create problems at work or school and can cause issues with family and friends.
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause problems with coping abilities in girls and women, such as procrastination, or underestimating the time a task will take (timeblindness). They can have trouble keeping track of schedules and appointments, easily lose or misplace their belongings and are susceptible to flitting between tasks. They may also struggle with impulse control, like interrupting others or making impulsive choices.
It is crucial for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD to be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek help from their primary healthcare provider or a mental health specialist. In addition they can improve their coping abilities by using strategies for organizing, such as writing lists or making plans. They can also participate in exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It's also a good idea for them to share household and caregiver duties with their partner or another support group so that they don't feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms typically include medication and therapy. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines can aid in reducing the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy is a great way to help with the emotional and organizational 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 for self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help people with ADHD connect with other people with the same condition and share tips for managing symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattention ADHD can be difficult to accept. They may believe that their troubles are due to an absence of discipline or bad parenting, and this may affect their self-esteem. They may also feel embarrassed and ashamed by their inability keep up with school or work.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that happen during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or menopausal. This can make it harder to cope with emotional manifestations, such as irritability or mood swings. These symptoms can also cause relationship problems because of how they are perceived by other people.
Women who are not attentive ADHD often have difficulty maintaining a steady home life which can cause problems at work or school. For instance, they may not remember important appointments or pay bills late. They might have difficulty organizing their school or work materials, and may be unable to finish assignments. They may have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt other people when they are talking. These issues can result in conflicts in relationships, and can affect women's self-esteem.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are unable to seek help. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious enough to warrant attention or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be afraid of the stigma associated from being diagnosed with ADHD and this can make them less likely to seek treatment. If left untreated, ADHD in women can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also engage in unhealthy coping behaviors, such as alcohol or drug abuse, which can result in health problems and other issues, including self-injury that is not suicidal (NSSI) that includes cutting or burning.
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 seek treatment. It is also common for women to hide their symptoms or devise strategies to conceal their symptoms from others, particularly as they get older. Masking can cause problems at work or school and may cause relationships to suffer.
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 reinforce negative self-talk, which can lead to an insecurity and difficulty in social relationships.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's important that they can access a clinician or therapist that is familiar with the challenges both women and girls face with ADHD.
As girls and women grow older, they could encounter societal and cultural expectations that place the bulk of household and parenting duties on them, and which differ from those placed on fathers. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety and can lead to disorganized, chaotic home environments, unfinished projects, and a refusal to ask for help or admit that they have a problem.
It is also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms related to puberty and adolescence, and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. The fluctuation in hormone levels can make these symptoms more severe, and they might be mistaken for other issues such as anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women with ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. As a result, they have a higher rate of negative outcomes as they age which include unemployment, relationship problems and use of drugs. They are also more likely to be misdiagnosed than men and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap could be closed through increased awareness and advocacy efforts to help health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women.