Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggled for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. It can be a real lightbulb moment for them when they receive a diagnosis.
The symptoms can change 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 also have the ability to be prone to internalizing ADHD traits that lead to depression. This can make it more difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD tend to not be diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect them with work, school and personal relationships. This is due to gender bias in the clinical setting and in the parents' and teachers' perceptions, who are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, forget deadlines, and lose track of time. They also have trouble prioritizing their tasks, organizing their thoughts, or planning ahead. They may also have trouble maintaining focus during conversations, and be easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to low performance at work or at school, which could lead to a low self-esteem.
Friends, family members and coworkers are often misinformed about women who have inattention ADHD. Their anger over their symptoms can lead to confusion and mistrust which can result in tensions in relationships. They are often dismissed as moody and irrational, which can further increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattention ADHD are also susceptible to anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations, like during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. In this period estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels rise which can worsen ADHD.
Another reason for inattention ADHD is environmental factors, such as a chaotic home environment or work life that lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD frequently have difficulty staying on task at work and get behind in their work. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. They might also have a harder time accepting criticism or negative feedback, which can further erode their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.
In addition, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to struggle with creating and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to have coexisting anxiety or depression and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which can make them less willing to take a risk with a romantic relationship. This can lead to a feeling of isolation which can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Many women who are not diagnosed with ADHD have low self-esteem when they try to cope with the disorder. Others may comment that they're careless or forgetful. They may develop unhealthy ways of coping that include excessive drinking or drug use. They may also resort to self-injury without suicide, like cutting or burning. Symptoms of ADHD can cause problems with relationships as well as work and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often more likely to be misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This is because the signs of depression and anxiety are typically similar to those of ADHD. Women with undiagnosed ADHD might also have mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can be caused by major life changes, such as marriage, starting a new career, or becoming parents.
Adults with inattention ADHD are often misdiagnosed and are often mistaken for bipolar or borderline personality disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentrating, feelings such as sadness or despair and difficulties dealing with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when combined with poor time-management, can cause difficulties at work or in school, as well as with family members 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 struggle to keep track of appointments and schedules, misplace or lose belongings easily, and flit from one task to the next. They may also have issues with controlling their impulses. This can include making impulsive choices or interrupting others.
It is crucial for women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD to recognize the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek help from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. They can also attempt to improve their coping skills through organizing techniques like making lists or planning in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It's also an excellent idea to share household and caregiver chores with their partner or another support group to ensure they aren't overwhelmed.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually include therapy and medication. Stimulant drugs like amphetamines and methylphenidate can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms of inattention. Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people to modify negative thoughts and behaviors, while others offer one-on-one therapy to improve self-esteem and emotional control. Support groups can help people with ADHD connect with other people who suffer from the disorder and share tips for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD may be difficult for some women to accept. Some women might believe that their problems stem from a lack of discipline or poor parenting. This could impact their self-esteem. They may also feel embarrassed and ashamed due to their inability to maintain their school schedule or work.
The symptoms of ADHD are more severe when hormonal changes occur that are caused by menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. This can make it harder to deal with emotional manifestations such as irritability or mood swings. These symptoms can also cause problems in relationships because of how they are perceived by other people, especially male friends or colleagues.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to ensure a stable family life. This can lead to problems at school or at work. For instance, they may not remember important appointments or pay bills late. They may have trouble organizing their work or school materials, and they may struggle to complete assignments. They may have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt others while they talk. These issues can create conflicts in relationships and can impact a woman's overall perception of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are hesitant to seek assistance. They might think that their difficulties are not serious enough to require attention or that they should be able to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They may also be afraid of the stigma that comes with being diagnosed with ADHD which could make it more difficult to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can cause depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also turn to unhealthy coping strategies such as drinking alcohol or substance abuse which can result in health problems and other issues, including self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which can involve cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women with 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 cover up symptoms or resort to compensatory strategies, particularly as they age, to hide them. Masking can cause problems at work or at school and may affect relationships.
Research suggests that women suffering from ADHD are at a higher likelihood of experiencing sensitivity to rejection and having difficulty finding a job. These experiences can cause negative self-talk that leads to a lack of confidence and difficulty with interpersonal relationships.
For these reasons, it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access the right diagnosis and treatment. adhd women uk 's also vital that they have a clinician or therapist who is familiar with the unique challenges that girls and women face with the disorder.
As girls and women grow older, they could encounter societal and cultural expectations that place the majority of the household and parenting responsibilities on them, and that differ from those placed on fathers. These pressures can trigger depression and anxiety, and can result in a chaotic and chaotic home environment as well as unfinished projects and a reluctance for women and girls to ask for help.
Premenstrual dysphoria and other symptoms of the adolescent years are also common among females with ADHD. These symptoms can be caused by the monthly fluctuations in hormones, and could be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood swings.
Women with ADHD often experience insufficient awareness of their condition, and are less likely to receive treatment than males. They are more likely to suffer negative consequences in adulthood including relationships, unemployment, and substance abuse. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and remain undiagnosed for the duration of their lives. This gap can be lowered by educating the public and advocating for health professionals, teachers and parents to be aware of the symptoms of ADHD among girls and women.