Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women suffer for years prior to being diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it may be like an epiphany.
The symptoms can change with hormonal changes. For instance, women might notice their symptoms get worse during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Women may also internalize their ADHD traits, which leads to depression. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD often do not get diagnosed until the age of adulthood, when their problems begin to impact with school, work, and personal relationships. This is due to gender biases in both clinical settings and in teachers' and parents perceptions. Girls are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD can cause women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose track of time, making it hard for them to plan ahead or organize their thoughts. They also struggle to prioritize tasks. They might also have difficulty to focus on conversations and can easily get distracted by external stimuli or their own internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor school or work performance which can cause low self-esteem and frustration.
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 encounter. This can lead to strained relations. They are often viewed as moody and irrational, which can further aggravate their feelings of being misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD can also suffer from anxiety and depression. These issues can be made more difficult by hormonal fluctuations, such as during menstruation or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. During these times, the hormone levels of estrogen decrease and progesterone levels increase, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
The environment can also trigger inattentive ADHD, such as a chaotic environment at home or a work life without a clear structure. Women with inattentive ADHD often have trouble staying on track at work and fall behind quickly, which can lead to feelings of failure and low self-esteem. They might also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further diminish confidence and lead to people avoiding social interactions.
Women who are inattentive ADHD have a higher tendency to struggle in developing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely than others to suffer from depression or anxiety, and are more sensitive to rejection. This may make them less willing to risk a romantic relationship. This can cause isolation, which can also contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Often, women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem while trying to manage the disorder. Others may comment that they are reckless or forgetful. They may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive alcohol or drug use. They may also resort non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning, or scratching. The symptoms of ADHD can cause problems with relationships as well as work and school.
Women and girls with ADHD are often mistakenly diagnosed more often as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is due to the fact that many of the symptoms of these disorders are similar with the symptoms of ADHD. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may also have mood swings that make them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can be brought on by major changes in life like marriage, starting new jobs, or becoming parents.
Inattentional inattention that is not diagnosed ADHD in adults is prevalent, and could be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentrating and feelings of despair or sadness and issues managing stress and criticism. These symptoms, when combined with poor time-management, can lead to problems at school or work, as well as with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in women and girls can lead to problems with the ability to cope, including procrastination, and a tendency to underestimate the time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have trouble keeping an eye on their schedules and appointments and lose or misplace items easily, and jump from one task to the next. They also may have issues with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
It is important for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD to recognize their symptoms and get help. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. They can also try to improve their ability to cope through organizing techniques, such as making lists or preparing in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It's also a good idea for them to share household and caregiver chores with their partner or another support network so that they aren't overwhelmed.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually involve therapy and medication. The stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines may help to reduce the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy is a great option to treat the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in which they teach people how to change negative thoughts or behavior. Other therapists offer one-onone therapy that focuses on self-esteem as well as emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people suffering from ADHD to connect with other people who have the same disorder and to learn how to manage their symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD may be difficult for some women to accept. Some women may believe that their issues stem from a lack of discipline or poor parenting. This could affect their self-esteem. They might also feel embarrassed and ashamed due to their inability to maintain their school schedule or work.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes like those that happen during menstrual cycle and pregnancy or menopausal. More hints can make it more difficult to manage emotional manifestations like irritability or mood swings. These symptoms can cause problems in relationships due to how they are perceived by others, particularly male colleagues or partners.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to ensure a stable home life. This can cause difficulties at work or school. They may, for instance forget important appointments, or pay their bills late. They may have problems organizing their school or work materials and might be unable to complete tasks. They may have difficulty understanding social boundaries and interrupting other people while talking. These problems can lead to conflict in relationships and impact a woman's sense of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are hesitant to seek help. They may think that their difficulties are not serious enough to require attention or that they shouldn't be able to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They may also be afraid of the stigma associated with getting a diagnosis of 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 may also turn to unhealthy coping methods like alcohol or substance abuse which can result in health issues and other issues, such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which can involve burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle with feelings of unworthiness or chronic stress. This can make it harder to recognize and articulate the symptoms, and get treatment. Women often hide symptoms or use compensatory strategies, especially as they get older, to conceal the signs. Masking can lead to problems at school or work, and it can also affect relationships.
Research shows that women with ADHD are at a higher risk of experiencing rejection sensitivity and finding it difficult to get jobs. These experiences can reinforce 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 important that they can access a clinician or therapist that is familiar with the challenges both women and girls confront with ADHD.
As girls and women grow older, they may face social and cultural expectations that place the majority of household and parenting responsibility on them. These expectations differ from those imposed on men. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety and can lead to disorganized, chaotic living spaces, incomplete projects and a reluctance to ask for help or admit they have a problem.
Premenstrual dysphoria and other symptoms of adolescence are also common in females suffering from ADHD. The fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms worse and can be misinterpreted as a sign of other issues like anxiety or mood shifts.
Women with ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and to seek treatment. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes as they age which include unemployment, relationship issues, and substance abuse. They are also more likely than men to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be eliminated by enhancing awareness and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD in women and girls.