Who Is Inattentive ADHD In Women And Why You Should Care
Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women suffer for years prior to receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. When they do, it can be like a lightbulb moment.
The symptoms can change with hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms get worse during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to accept their ADHD traits, which can lead to depression. This makes it more difficult to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD tend to not be diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their problems start to interfere with school, work, and personal relationships. This is due to gender bias, both in the clinical setting and in the parents' and teachers' perceptions, who are less likely than boys to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentional ADHD causes women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose the track of time, making it difficult for them to plan ahead and organize their thoughts. It can also be difficult to prioritize tasks. They might also have difficulty to focus on conversations and can easily become distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. add symptoms in women can result in low performance at work or at school, which can lead to low self-esteem.
Friends, family members and colleagues often misunderstand women who have inattention ADHD. Their anger over their symptoms can lead to more misunderstandings they face. This can lead to strained relations. They are often viewed by others as sour or crazy. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD also experience a range of emotional problems that include anxiety and depression. These issues can be exacerbated by fluctuations in hormone levels, such as during menstrual cycles and pregnancy or perimenopausal. In this time, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise which can exacerbate ADHD.
External factors can also contribute to inattentive ADHD for example, an unorganized home or at work that is not structured. Women with inattentive ADHD often have trouble staying focused at work and get behind in their work. This results in a feeling of self-doubt and a sense of failure. They may also find it difficult to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further undermine confidence and cause people to avoid social interaction.
Additionally, women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely than other women to suffer from anxiety or depression, and they can be more susceptible to rejection. This could make them reluctant to risk a romantic relationship. This can lead to isolation which can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Women with undiagnosed ADHD frequently suffer from low self esteem due to their struggles to cope. Others may comment that they are reckless or forgetful. They may develop unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol or drugs. They might also resort to non-suicidal forms of self-injury such as cutting, burning or scratching. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often more likely to be misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. 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 can also experience mood swings, making them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life events like getting married, beginning in a new job or becoming a parent.
Undiagnosed inattention ADHD in adults is frequent, and is often mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentrating, feelings of despair or sadness and difficulties coping with stress and criticism. In conjunction with poor time management, these symptoms can create difficulties at school or at work and can cause issues with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in girls and women can affect managing skills, like procrastination, and a tendency to underestimate how long tasks will take (time blindness). They can have trouble keeping track of their schedules and appointments, are prone to lose or misplace belongings, and are prone to jumping between tasks. They can also have problems with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD must be aware of their symptoms and seek assistance. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health professional. They can also seek to improve their ability to cope by using organizational techniques like creating lists or planning ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve focus and attention. It's also a good idea for them to share household and caregiver tasks with their spouse or another support network so that they aren't overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is usually required to control ADHD symptoms, which includes therapy and medication. The stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines may help reduce the inattention symptoms of ADHD. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. The behavioral therapy method is a great way to help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), in which they teach people how to change negative thoughts or behavior. Some offer one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem as well as emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people with ADHD to connect with others who share the same condition and to learn how to manage symptoms.
For some women, the diagnosis of inattention ADHD is difficult to accept. They may think that their problems stem from a lack of discipline or bad parenting, and this may impact their self-esteem. Additionally, they might be frustrated at their inability to keep up with work or school, which can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
The symptoms of ADHD can heighten when hormonal changes occur that are caused by menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. This can make it more difficult to cope with emotional manifestations such as irritability or mood swings. These symptoms can also cause problems in relationships because of how they are perceived by others, particularly male friends or colleagues.
Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to maintain an orderly family life. This can cause difficulties 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 materials and might struggle to complete their tasks. They might have trouble understanding the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt other people while talking. These issues can lead to conflicts in relationships and can affect a woman's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD are unable to seek help. They may believe that their issues aren't sufficient to warrant attention or that they shouldn't be in a position to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be scared of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD and this can make them less likely to seek treatment. Women who have untreated ADHD can be depressed or suicidal. They may also engage in unhealthy coping strategies, like drinking or using substances. This can lead to health issues and other issues like self-harming that is not suicidal (NSSI) which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD are often plagued by feelings of inadequacy and constant stress. This can make it more difficult to recognize and articulate the symptoms, and seek treatment. Women often hide symptoms or employ strategies to compensate, particularly as they age, to cover their symptoms. Masking can cause issues at work or at school and may affect relationships.
Additionally, research has shown that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms that are related to rejection sensitivity and to have trouble finding jobs. These experiences can trigger negative thoughts, which can lead to a lack in confidence and problems in interpersonal relationships.
It is crucial that women suffering from ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's crucial that they have access to a clinician or therapist that is knowledgeable about the issues that girls and women confront with ADHD.
As girls and women mature and become more independent, they are likely to be confronted with social and cultural expectations that place the majority of the household and parenting responsibilities on them. These expectations differ from those imposed on men. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety, and can result in a disorganized and chaotic home environment with unfinished projects, as well as the reluctance of women and girls to ask for assistance.
It's also common for females suffering from ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to puberty and adolescence and also to experience premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be caused by the fluctuation in hormones, and could be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood swings.
Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. They are more likely to experience negative consequences in adulthood, such as problems with relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. They're also more likely be misdiagnosed compared to men and are more likely to remain undiagnosed throughout their lives. This gap could be closed by increasing education and advocacy efforts to help health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD in women and girls.