Five Things You Didn't Know About Inattentive ADHD In Women
Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it could be like a lightbulb moment.
Symptoms can fluctuate due to hormonal changes. For example, women may be able to notice that their symptoms become more severe during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.
Women can also be prone to internalizing ADHD traits which leads to depression. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are usually not diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect their work at school, as well as personal relationships. This is partly due to gender bias in both clinical settings as well as in the perceptions of parents and teachers, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms for girls than boys, even when the symptoms are evident (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause women to forget appointments, miss deadlines and lose the track of time, making it hard for them to plan ahead and organize their thoughts. It can also be difficult to prioritize tasks. They may also find it difficult to maintain focus on conversations and easily become distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to low performance at work or at school, which could lead to a low self-esteem.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood and mistreated by their friends, family and coworkers. Their anger over their symptoms can lead to more misunderstandings they experience. This can lead to tensions in relationships. They are often seen as irrational and moody, which can further aggravate the feeling that they are misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD are also afflicted by a range of emotional problems that include anxiety and depression. These issues can be exacerbated by fluctuations in hormone levels like during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. In these instances, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase which can aggravate ADHD symptoms.
Environmental factors can also cause inattentive ADHD for example, a chaotic environment at home or a work life that is not structured. Women with inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty keeping on track and may become distracted at work, which can lead to feelings of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also have difficulty accepting negative feedback or criticism which can further undermine their confidence and result in them avoiding social interactions.
Additionally, women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to struggle with creating and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from coexisting anxiety or depression and may be particularly sensitive to rejection, which may cause them to be more reluctant to take a risk with a romantic relationship. This can cause them to feel isolated, which can contribute to 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 condition. They might be discouraged by criticism from people that they are negligent or forgetful. They may adopt unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drug use. They might 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.
Girls and women with ADHD are often frequently misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is because the symptoms of depression and anxiety are often similar to the symptoms of ADHD. In addition, women who have undiagnosed ADHD can experience mood swings that cause them to appear depressed or anxious. More hints can be caused by major life changes like getting married, starting a new career, or becoming parents.
Undiagnosed inattentive ADHD in adults is common, and can be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include trouble concentration and a feeling of despair or sadness, and difficulties coping with stress and criticism. In conjunction with poor time management, these signs can create difficulties at school or at work and cause problems with family and friends.
Attention-deficit ADHD can lead to problems with coping abilities in girls and women, such as procrastination or underestimating the time a task will take (timeblindness). They may have trouble keeping the track of their schedules and appointments and lose or misplace items easily, and flit from one task to the next. They might also be struggling with impulse control. This could include making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD should be aware of their symptoms and seek help. They can seek help from their primary care provider or a mental health professional. They can also seek to improve their ability to cope by employing organizational methods like creating lists or planning in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus. It is also an excellent idea to split the caregiving and household responsibilities with their spouse or another support networks, so that they are not overwhelmed by chores or errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually involve treatment and medication. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines could aid in reducing the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy is a good method to address the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in which they teach people how to modify negative thoughts or behaviors. Some offer one-on-one therapy which focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for those with ADHD to connect with other people who have the same disorder and learn about how to manage symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattention ADHD is difficult to accept. Some women may think that their issues stem from a lack of discipline or a poor parenting style. This could impact their self-esteem. In addition, they may be frustrated at their inability to keep up with their work or school, and this could lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes like those that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or menopausal. This can make it harder to cope with emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can also cause difficulties in relationships because of the way they are perceived by others.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to keep a stable family life. This can cause problems at school or at work. For example, they might not remember important appointments or pay bills late. They may have issues organizing their school or work materials, and may be unable to finish assignments. They may have difficulty in recognizing social boundaries or interrupting people when they talk. These issues can lead to conflicts in relationships and can impact a woman's overall perception of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD have difficulty asking for assistance. They might think that their difficulties are not sufficient to warrant attention or that they shouldn't be capable of "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They may also be afraid of the stigma that comes when they are diagnosed with ADHD and this can make them less likely to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. They can also resort to unhealthy coping methods such as drinking alcohol or substance abuse which can lead to health issues and other issues, like self-injury that is not suicidal (NSSI) that includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often suffering from feelings of inadequacy and chronic stress. This makes it harder to identify and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often cover up symptoms or use compensatory strategies, particularly as they get older, to conceal them. Masking can cause problems at school or work and may affect relationships.
Research has shown that women with ADHD are more at risk of experiencing rejection sensitivity and finding it difficult to get jobs. These experiences can cause negative self-talk, which can lead to anxiety and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
For these reasons, it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access proper diagnosis and treatment. It's important that they have access to an therapist or a therapist who is aware of the difficulties that women and girls have to face when dealing with ADHD.
As girls and women mature, they may face the expectations of society and culture that place the majority of household and parenting responsibilities on them. These expectations differ from those placed on men. These pressures can lead to depression and anxiety and can lead to chaotic, messy home environments, unfinished projects and a lack of willingness to seek assistance or admit that they have a problem.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of adolescents are also common in females suffering from ADHD. The fluctuation in hormone levels can make these symptoms worse, and they might be misinterpreted as a sign of other issues like anxiety or mood swings.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. This means that they are more likely to experience a variety of negative outcomes as adults which include unemployment, relationship problems and use of drugs. They are also more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap can be reduced by educating the public and advocating for health professionals as well as teachers and parents to recognize the symptoms of ADHD in women and girls.