Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it may be like a lightbulb moment.
The symptoms can change with hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to take on their ADHD characteristics, which can lead to depression. This can make it harder to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their problems begin to affect their work at school, as well as personal relationships. This is due to gender bias, both in the clinical setting and in the parents' and teachers perceptions. Girls are less likely than boys to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines and lose track of time. They also have difficulty managing their thoughts or planning ahead. They might also find it difficult to maintain 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 can cause feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration.
Friends, family members and coworkers often misunderstand women with inattention ADHD. Their frustration with their symptoms can lead to more misunderstandings they encounter. women and adhd can lead to tensions between people. They are often viewed by others as moody or uninformed. This can lead to a feeling of being untrusted.
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 and pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. During this time, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase, which can exacerbate ADHD.
Environmental factors can also cause inattentive ADHD like a chaotic environment at home or in a workplace that is not structured. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty keeping on track and may become distracted at work, leading to feelings of being unworthy and low confidence. They might also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further undermine confidence and lead to people avoiding social interactions.
Women who are inattentive ADHD are more likely to struggle with establishing and maintaining romantic relations. They are more likely than the rest to be suffering from depression or anxiety, and they can be more susceptible to rejection. This could make them reluctant to take on a romantic relationship. This can cause isolation, which can also contribute to anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Often, women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem when they try to cope with the disorder. They may become depressed by comments from other people who say they are reckless or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They could develop unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive alcohol or drugs. They may also resort to self-injury without suicide, like cutting or burning. The symptoms of ADHD can affect relationships as well as work and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. This is because the signs of depression and anxiety are frequently similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD can also experience mood swings, making them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life changes, such as getting married, starting in a new job or becoming a parent.
Adults with inattentive ADHD are also often misdiagnosed, and may be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating, feelings such as sadness or despair and issues dealing with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time-management, can cause issues at work or school, as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD for girls and women can cause trouble with the ability to cope, including procrastination and a tendency to underestimate the time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have trouble keeping track of appointments and schedules, misplace or lose belongings easily, and flit from one task to the next. They also may have issues with impulse control, such as interrupting others or making decisions impulsively.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD should be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek help through their primary care provider or a mental health professional. In addition they can improve their coping abilities by using strategies for organizing, such as making lists or making plans. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve concentration and attention. It's also recommended for them to share household and caregiving chores with their partner or a different support system so that they aren't overwhelmed.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually involve therapy and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, like amphetamines and methylphenidate can help reduce the 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. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in which they help people change negative thoughts or behavior. Other therapists offer one-onone therapy that focuses on self-esteem as well as emotional regulation. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with others who have the condition and share tips for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD may be difficult for some women to accept. Some women may believe that their problems stem from a lack of discipline or poor parenting. This could impact their self-esteem. They may be embarrassed and embarrassed by their inability maintain their school schedule or work.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes like those that happen during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or menopausal. This can make it harder to manage emotional manifestations such as anger or mood swings. These symptoms can also cause relationship problems because of how they are perceived by other people.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to maintain an orderly family life. This can lead to problems at school or at work. For instance, they may forget important appointments or pay bills late. They might have issues organizing their work or school supplies, and they may have difficulty completing tasks. They may have difficulty understanding social boundaries and interrupting other people while talking. These problems can cause conflicts in relationships and affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD find it difficult to seek help. They may think that their problems aren't enough serious to warrant attention, or that they should be able to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They may also be afraid of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD which can make it harder for them to seek treatment. If left untreated, ADHD in women can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. They can also resort to unhealthy coping methods like alcohol or substance abuse, which can lead to health issues and other issues, including self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) that includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle with feelings of unworthiness or constant stress. This can make it difficult to identify and explain the symptoms, and get treatment. Women often mask symptoms or employ compensatory strategies, especially as they get older, to conceal them. Masking can cause difficulties at work or school and can cause relationships to suffer.
Furthermore, research suggests that women with ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms related to rejection sensitivity and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can lead to negative thoughts that can lead to a lack of confidence and problems in interpersonal relationships.
It is essential that women with ADHD receive a proper diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital that they work with a doctor or therapy professional who is knowledgeable of the unique challenges that females and girls confront with the disorder.
As girls and women grow older, they could encounter societal and cultural expectations that place the bulk of parenting and household duties on them, and that differ from those imposed on fathers. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety, and result in chaotic, messy home environments, unfinished projects and a reluctance to seek assistance or admit that they are struggling.
It is also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms related to adolescence and puberty, and to struggle with premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be exacerbated by the fluctuations in hormones, and could be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women who suffer from ADHD often experience a lack of awareness about their condition, and are less likely to seek treatment than men. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes as they age which include problems with relationships, unemployment and abuse of substances. They are also more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be closed by increasing awareness and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women.