Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it could be like an epiphany.
The symptoms often change in response to hormonal changes. For instance, women could be able to notice that their symptoms become more severe during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.
Women also can internalize ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This can make it harder to diagnose and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD often do not get diagnosed until the age of adulthood, when their problems begin to impact with school, work and personal relationships. This is due in part to gender bias in both clinical settings and in the perceptions of parents and teachers who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys even if the symptoms are clear (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, forget deadlines, and lose track of the time. They also have difficulty managing their thoughts, or making plans for the future. They may be unable to focus on conversations and may become distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor work or school performance, which leads to low self-esteem and frustration.
Family members, friends and colleagues often misunderstand women who have inattention ADHD. Their frustration with their symptoms increases the mistrust they face which can result in strained relationships. They are often dismissed as irrational and moody, which can increase the feeling that they are misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD are also afflicted by a variety of emotional difficulties that include anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations, like during menstruation or pregnancy, or 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 environmental factors like a chaotic home or work environment which lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay focused at work and be unable to keep up with their work, which results in a feeling of inadequacy and low self-esteem. They may also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further diminish confidence and cause people to avoid social interactions.
In addition, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to struggle with establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from coexisting anxiety or depression and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which can cause them to be more reluctant to commit to a relationship. This can lead them to feel lonely which can cause depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Many women who are not diagnosed with ADHD suffer from low self-esteem when they try to deal with the disorder. They might be depressed by comments from other people that they are careless or forgetful. They could develop unhealthy ways of coping that include excessive drinking or drugs. They might also resort to self-injury without suicide, like cutting or burning. Symptoms of ADHD can interfere with relationships, work, and school.
Women and girls with ADHD tend to be frequently misdiagnosed as having depressive or anxiety disorders. This is because the symptoms of anxiety and depression are frequently similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Additionally women with undiagnosed ADHD may experience mood swings that make them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can be triggered by major changes in life like getting married, starting new jobs, or becoming parents.
Inattentional inattention that is not diagnosed ADHD in adults is common, and can be mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating and feelings of despair or sadness, as well as difficulties dealing with criticism and stress. When combined with poor time management, these issues could cause problems at school or at work, and lead to difficulties with family and friends.
Inattentive ADHD in women and girls can cause trouble with the ability to cope, including procrastination and a tendency to underestimate the time tasks will take (time blindness). They can have trouble keeping track of their schedules and appointments, easily lose or misplace their belongings and are susceptible to jump from one task to another. They may also have issues with the ability to control their impulses. This could mean making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
It is important for women with undiagnosed ADHD to be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. In signs of add in adult women can improve their coping abilities by employing organizational strategies, such as making lists or planning ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters, which enhance concentration and attention. It's also a good idea for them to share household and caregiving tasks with their spouse or another support group so that they don't feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is often needed to manage ADHD symptoms, which can include medication and therapy. The stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines could help reduce the inattention symptoms of ADHD. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy is a great way to help with the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Therapists may employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to change negative thoughts and behavior as well as offer one-on-one therapy to improve self-esteem and emotional control. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with others who have the condition and share strategies for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD may be difficult for some women to accept. adhd in adult women test may believe that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or a lack of parenting. This could impact their self-esteem. In addition, they may be frustrated with their inability to keep up with work or school, which can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment.
The symptoms of ADHD can be heightened during hormonal changes that are caused by menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it harder to deal with emotional manifestations such as anger or mood swings. These symptoms can cause problems in relationships because of how they are perceived by others, especially male partners or colleagues.
Women with inattention ADHD often have difficulty maintaining an orderly home life, which can cause problems at work or school. They may, for instance forget important appointments, or pay their bills late. They might have issues organizing their work or school materials, and they may be unable to complete tasks. They may have difficulty understanding social boundaries and interrupting others while they talk. These problems can cause conflicts in relationships and can affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD find it difficult to seek help. They might think that their symptoms aren't 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. Untreated ADHD in women can cause depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also engage in unhealthy coping behaviors like alcohol or substance abuse, which can lead to health issues and other issues, like self-injury that is not suicidal (NSSI), which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often suffering from feelings of inadequacy and constant stress. This can make it more difficult to recognize and communicate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often hide symptoms or use strategies to compensate, particularly as they age, to hide them. Masking can cause problems at school or work and may result in relationships being damaged.
In addition, research shows 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 trigger negative thoughts that can lead to a lack of confidence and problems with interpersonal relationships.
This is why it's crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's crucial that they can access the right therapist or clinician who is aware of the difficulties that women and girls face with ADHD.
As girls and women grow up, they may encounter societal and cultural expectations that place the bulk of the household and parenting responsibilities on them, and which differ from the expectations placed on fathers. These pressures can lead to depression and anxiety and can lead to chaotic, messy living spaces, incomplete projects and a lack of willingness to seek assistance or admit that they are struggling.
The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoria as well as the adolescent years are also common among females who suffer from ADHD. These symptoms can be caused by the fluctuation in hormones and can be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood shifts.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes in adulthood including problems with relationships, unemployment and abuse of substances. They're also more likely be misdiagnosed than males, and to go undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be eliminated through increased awareness and advocacy efforts to help health professionals as well as teachers and parents to recognize the symptoms of ADHD for women and girls.