Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. It can be a real lightbulb moment for them when they are diagnosed.
The symptoms often change in response to hormonal changes. For instance, women might feel their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.
Women can also internalize ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This can make it more difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD tend to not be diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their issues begin to affect them with school, work, and personal relationships. This is partly due to gender biases in both clinical settings as well as in the perceptions of teachers and parents, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys, even when those symptoms are evident (Ohan and Visser 2009).
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, forget deadlines, and lose track of time. They also have trouble prioritizing tasks, organizing their thoughts, or making plans for the future. They may be unable to maintain focus on conversations and may be distracted by external stimuli or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor performance at school or at work which can cause low self-esteem and frustration.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by friends, family and coworkers. Their frustration with their symptoms can increase the misunderstandings that they encounter. This can result in strained relations. They are often dismissed by others as moody or irrational. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women who have inattention ADHD also suffer from a variety of emotional difficulties, including depression and anxiety. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations that occur during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. During these times, the hormone levels of estrogen decrease and progesterone levels increase and can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms.
The environment can also trigger inattentive ADHD, such as the chaos of your home or a work life with little structure. Women with inattentive ADHD may have trouble keeping on track and may fall behind at work, which can lead to feelings of being unworthy and low confidence. They may also have a harder time accepting criticism or negative feedback which can further undermine their confidence and result in them avoiding social interactions.
Women who are inattentive ADHD have a greater tendency to have difficulty developing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety that is co-existing 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 isolation and can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms
Women with undiagnosed ADHD frequently suffer from low self-esteem due to their struggles to cope. They may become depressed by comments from other people that they are careless or forgetful. They might adopt unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking or use of drugs. They may also resort non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often more likely to be misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety. This is because a lot of symptoms of these disorders overlap with the symptoms of ADHD. Additionally women with undiagnosed ADHD may experience mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life events such as getting married, beginning a new job or becoming a parent.
Adults with inattentive ADHD are also commonly misdiagnosed and are often mistaken for borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentration, feelings of despair or sadness, and difficulties in coping with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when paired with poor time-management, can result in problems at school or work as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD can cause issues with coping skills in girls and women, such as procrastination or underestimating the time a task will take (timeblindness). They may have difficulty keeping track of their schedules and appointments, easily lose or misplace belongings and are prone to flitting between tasks. They also may have issues with impulse control, like interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD should understand the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health professional. Additionally, they can try to improve their coping skills by making use of organizational strategies, such as making lists or making plans. Exercise releases neurotransmitters, which enhance concentration and attention. It's also recommended for them to share household and caregiver tasks with their spouse or another support network to ensure they aren't overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is usually required to control ADHD symptoms, which can include medication and therapy. Drugs that stimulate the brain, like amphetamines and methylphenidate can reduce ADHD symptoms of inattention. Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy is a great way to help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. adhd in women checklist may employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people to change negative thoughts and behaviors and others provide one-on-one therapy to improve self-esteem and emotional control. Support groups are an excellent way for people suffering from ADHD to connect with other people who share the same condition and to learn how to manage symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD could be difficult for some women to accept. They may think that their issues are due to an absence of discipline or poor parenting, which can impact their self-esteem. Additionally, adhd traits in women might be frustrated with their inability to keep up with their work or school, and this can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment.
The symptoms of ADHD can be heightened when hormonal changes occur like those brought on by menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it more difficult to cope with emotional symptoms, like irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can cause relationship problems because of how they are perceived by other people.
Women with inattention ADHD often have difficulty maintaining an orderly home life, and this can lead to difficulties at school or at work. For instance, they could forget important appointments or pay bills late. They might have difficulty organizing their work or school materials, and may be unable to finish assignments. They might have trouble understanding social boundaries and interrupting other people when they are talking. These issues can create conflict in relationships and impact a woman's overall perception of self-worth.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to ask for help. They might think that their problems are not sufficient 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 from being diagnosed with ADHD which could make them less likely to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can result in depression or suicidal thoughts. They could also resort to unhealthy coping strategies, like drinking or using substances. This can cause health problems and other issues like nonsuicidal harming themselves (NSSI) which includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle with feelings of inadequateness or constant stress. This can make it harder to identify and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often mask symptoms or use strategies to compensate, particularly as they age, to hide their symptoms. Masking can lead to problems at work or at school and can affect relationships.
Research suggests that women suffering from ADHD have a higher chance of feeling a sensitivity to rejection and finding it difficult to get a job. These experiences can reinforce negative self-talk which leads to a lack of confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
add in women test is why it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to have access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they are able to access a clinician or therapist that is aware of the difficulties that girls and women have to face when dealing with ADHD.
As women and girls grow up, they may encounter societal and cultural expectations that place the majority of parenting and household duties on them, and which differ from those imposed on fathers. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety and can lead to disorganized, chaotic home environments, unfinished projects, and a refusal to seek help or admit they are struggling.
It's also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms related to puberty and adolescence, and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be made worse by the monthly fluctuations in hormones, and may be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women who suffer from ADHD often experience insufficient awareness of their condition, and they're less likely to receive treatment than men. They are more likely to experience negative outcomes as they age which include relationships, unemployment and abuse of substances. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the duration of their lives. This gap can be eliminated by increasing education and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD in women and girls.