Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have struggled for a long time before they were diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it could be like a lightbulb moment.
The symptoms can change due to hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women can also take on ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This can make it harder to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD typically are not diagnosed until adulthood, when their problems begin to impact with school, work, and personal relationships. This is due in part to gender biases 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 when those symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines, and lose track of time. They also have difficulty prioritizing their tasks, organizing their thoughts or making plans for the future. They may also find it difficult to focus on conversations and may become distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These issues can lead to poor work or school performance which can cause low self-esteem and anger.
Family members, friends and coworkers are often misinformed about women who have inattention ADHD. adult add in women with their condition increases the mistrust they face which can result in difficult relationships. They are often seen as being irrational and moody which can further increase the feeling that they are misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD are also afflicted by a range of emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by hormone fluctuations, such as during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. At these times, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise and can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms.
Another reason for inattentive ADHD is the influence of environmental factors, such as a chaotic home environment or a work schedule that lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay on task at work and be unable to keep up with their work, which results in a feeling of self-doubt and a sense of failure. They may also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further diminish confidence and cause people to avoid social interaction.
Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties creating and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely to suffer from coexisting anxiety or depression and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which may cause them to be more reluctant to risk a relationship. This can lead to a feeling of isolation, which can also contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Most women with undiagnosed ADHD have low self-esteem while trying to cope with the condition. They might be depressed by comments from other people that they are careless or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They might develop unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive alcohol or drugs. They may also resort to non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning or scratching. Symptoms of ADHD can interfere with relationships as well as work and school.
Women and girls with ADHD are often frequently misdiagnosed as having depressive or anxiety disorders. This is because a lot of symptoms of these disorders are similar with the symptoms of ADHD. In addition 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 caused by major life changes, such as getting married, starting an entirely new job or becoming a mother.
Adults with inattention ADHD are also commonly misdiagnosed and are often mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentrating and feelings of sadness or despair, as well as difficulties dealing with criticism and stress. Combined with poor time management, these signs 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 a tendency to underestimate the time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have trouble keeping the track of their schedules and appointments and may lose or misplace their belongings easily, and jump from one task to the next. They may also have issues with controlling their impulses. This can include making impulsive decisions or interrupting others.
It is crucial for women with undiagnosed ADHD to understand their symptoms and get help. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health professional. They can also attempt to improve their coping skills by using organizational techniques like making lists or planning in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve concentration and focus. It's also an excellent idea to share household and caregiving chores with their partner or another support group so that they don't feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is usually required to treat ADHD symptoms, which includes therapy and medication. Stimulant drugs like amphetamines and methylphenidate can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy can aid in the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Certain therapists employ cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which helps people to modify negative thoughts and behaviors, while others offer individual therapy for self-esteem and emotional control. Support groups can help people with ADHD connect with other people with the same condition and share tips for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD can be difficult for some women to accept. Some women may think that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or poor parenting. This can affect their self-esteem. They might be embarrassed and ashamed by their inability maintain their school schedule or work.
Symptoms of ADHD are more severe when hormonal changes occur that are caused by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopause. This can make it difficult to manage emotional manifestations such as anger or mood swings. These symptoms can also contribute to relationship difficulties because of how they are perceived by other people, especially male friends or colleagues.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to keep an orderly family life. This can lead to difficulties at school or at work. For example, they might miss important appointments or pay bills late. They might have difficulty organizing their work or school materials, and they may be unable to finish assignments. They might be unable to comprehend social boundaries and interrupting other people while talking. These issues can create conflicts in relationships and affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD aren't able to ask for assistance. They may believe that their problems aren't sufficient to warrant attention or that they should be capable of "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be scared of the stigma that comes from being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who have untreated ADHD may develop depression or suicidal. They might also adopt unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or drug abuse. This could lead to health problems and other issues such as self-harming and non-suicidal (NSSI) such as cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle with feelings of unworthiness or constant stress. This can make it harder to recognize and communicate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often mask symptoms or employ compensatory strategies, particularly as they age, to cover them. Masking can lead to difficulties at school or work and may cause relationships to suffer.
Additionally, research has shown that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms related to sensitivity to rejection, and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can cause negative self-talk, which can lead to an insecurity and difficulty in social relationships.
It is essential that women with ADHD receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also crucial that they work with a doctor or therapist who understands the unique challenges 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 differ from those placed on fathers. These pressures can lead to anxiety and depression and can lead to disorganized, chaotic homes, unfinished projects and a lack of willingness to seek help or admit that they have a problem.
It's also normal for females suffering from ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to adolescence and puberty, and to struggle with premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be caused by the fluctuations in hormones and can be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. They are more likely to experience negative consequences in adulthood which include problems with relationships, unemployment and abuse of substances. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap could be eliminated by increasing education and arguing for health professionals as well as teachers and parents to recognize the signs of ADHD for women and girls.