Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women had to struggle for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a lightbulb moment for them when they are diagnosed.
The symptoms may change due to hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms get worse when they are experiencing menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women also can be prone to internalizing ADHD traits that lead to depression. This can make it difficult to be diagnosed and treated for their ADHD.
Causes
Women with inattentive ADHD tend to not be diagnosed until the age of adulthood, when their issues begin to affect them with work, school and personal relationships. This is due in part to gender biases in clinical settings as well as in the perceptions of parents and teachers who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys even if the symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Inattentional ADHD causes women to forget appointments, miss deadlines and lose track of time, which makes it hard for them to plan ahead and organize their thoughts. It can also be difficult to prioritize tasks. They may also have trouble staying focused during conversations, and are easily distracted by external stimuli, internal thoughts or daydreaming. These issues can lead to poor work or school performance and can lead to low self-esteem and frustration.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their friends, family and coworkers. adult add in women I Am Psychiatry with their symptoms can increase the misperceptions they experience. This can result in strained relations. They are often viewed by others as sour or uninformed. This can lead to a feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD may also be suffering from depression and anxiety. These problems can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, like when menstrual cycle is in full swing and pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. During this time estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise which can cause an increase in ADHD.
Another cause of inattention ADHD is the influence of environmental factors, such as a chaotic home environment or a work schedule that does not provide enough structure. Women with inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying on task and become distracted at work, which can lead to a feeling of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also be unable to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further diminish confidence and cause people to avoid social interactions.
Women who are inattentive ADHD have a higher tendency to struggle in creating and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely than the rest to suffer from anxiety or depression, and they can be more sensitive to rejection. This could cause them to be less willing to risk a romantic connection. This can cause isolation and can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Women with undiagnosed ADHD often suffer from low self-esteem due to their struggle to cope. They might be discouraged by criticism from people who say they are reckless or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They might develop unhealthy coping methods like excessive drinking or use of drugs. They might also resort to non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning, or scratching. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work and school.
Girls and women with ADHD are often mistakenly diagnosed more often as having depressive or anxiety disorders. This is because a lot of symptoms of these disorders are similar with those of ADHD. In addition women who are not diagnosed with ADHD can experience mood swings that cause them to appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can be caused by major life changes such as getting married, starting a new career or having children.
Undiagnosed inattentive ADHD in adults is also common, and can be mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating or concentrating, as well as feelings like sadness or hopelessness, as well as difficulties managing stress and criticism. When combined with poor time management, these signs can cause problems at work or school, and lead to difficulties with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD for girls and women can lead to problems with coping skills, such as procrastination and the tendency to underestimate how long 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 the next. They might also be struggling with controlling their impulses. This could include making impulsive choices or interrupting others.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD should understand their symptoms and seek assistance. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. They can also attempt to improve their ability to cope by employing organizational methods like making lists or planning ahead. They can also engage in exercises, which release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and attention. It's also an excellent idea to share household and caregiving tasks with their spouse or another support group so that they do not feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is typically required to treat ADHD symptoms, which can include therapy and medication. Stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can reduce ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also non-stimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy can aid in the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in which they instruct people on how to change negative thoughts or behaviors. Some offer one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help people with ADHD connect with other people who suffer from the disorder and share strategies for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD could be a challenge for some women to accept. They may think that their troubles stem from a lack of discipline or poor parenting, and this can impact their self-esteem. In addition, they may feel frustrated by their inability to keep up with work or school, and this can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Symptoms of ADHD are more severe during hormonal changes like those brought on by menstruation, pregnancy, or menopausal. This makes it more difficult to manage emotional symptoms, such as irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can also cause problems in relationships because of the way they are perceived by other people, especially male partners or colleagues.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to keep a stable home life. This can lead to problems at school or at work. For instance, they might forget important appointments, or pay their bills late. They may have problems organizing their work or school supplies, and they may struggle to complete their tasks. They might have trouble understanding social boundaries and interrupting others while they talk. These issues can lead to conflict in relationships and affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD aren't able to ask for help. They may believe that their problems are not severe enough to warrant attention, or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be afraid of the stigma that comes with getting a diagnosis of ADHD which could make it more difficult to seek treatment. Women who have untreated ADHD can be depressed or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy coping behaviors like alcohol or drug abuse, which can lead to health problems and other issues, such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) that includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often affected by feelings of inadequateness and constant stress. This makes it harder to recognize and communicate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often mask symptoms or resort to compensatory strategies, particularly as they age, to hide them. Masking can lead to problems at school or work and can affect relationships.
In addition, research shows that women with ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms that are related to rejection sensitivity, and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can lead to negative self-talk that leads to anxiety and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
It is crucial that women suffering from ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's important that they can access the right therapist or clinician who is familiar with the challenges both women and girls have to face when dealing with ADHD.
As women and girls become teenagers, they might encounter cultural and social norms that place the majority of household and parenting duties on them, and differ from those imposed on fathers. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety, and can result in a disorganized and chaotic home with unfinished projects, as well as an inability for girls and women to ask for assistance.
The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoria as well as the adolescent years are also common among females suffering from ADHD. The fluctuation in hormone levels can make these symptoms worse and can be misinterpreted as other problems like anxiety or mood shifts.
Women suffering from ADHD often experience a lack of awareness about their condition, and are less likely to seek treatment than men. Because of this, they have a higher rate of negative outcomes as adults such as unemployment, relationship problems and addiction. They're also more likely to be misdiagnosed than men, and to go undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap could be closed by increasing education and advocacy efforts to help health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the symptoms of ADHD for women and girls.