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Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women suffer for years prior to receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. It could be a moment of lightbulb when they are diagnosed.
The symptoms can change with hormonal changes. For instance, women might notice their symptoms get worse during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to internalize ADHD traits which leads to depression. This makes it more difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattention 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 clinical settings and in the parents' and teachers' perceptions, who are less likely than men to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget appointments, miss deadlines and lose the track of time, making it difficult for them to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They might also find it difficult to keep their attention on conversations and may become distracted by external stimuli or their own internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor school or work performance and can lead to low self-esteem and frustration.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by family, friends and coworkers. Their anger over their symptoms can increase the misperceptions they face. This can lead to strained relations. They are often dismissed as irrational and moody, which can further increase the feeling that they are misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD may also be suffering from depression and anxiety. These issues can be made more difficult by hormonal fluctuations, like when menstrual cycle is in full swing and pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. In these instances, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase which can aggravate ADHD symptoms.
The environment can also trigger inattentive ADHD for example, a chaotic environment at home or a work life that is not structured. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD can have difficulty staying on track and can fall behind at work, leading to feelings of failure and low confidence. They might also have a harder time accepting criticism or negative feedback, which can further erode their confidence and cause them to avoid social interactions.
Additionally, women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to have difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely than others to suffer from depression or anxiety, and they can be more susceptible to rejection. This can make them reluctant to risk a romantic connection. This can lead them to feel lonely which can cause anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD often have low self-esteem due to their struggles to cope. Others may comment that they are reckless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. They may also resort to non-suicidal self-injury, including 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 because the symptoms of depression and anxiety are typically similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Furthermore women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are prone to mood swings that cause them to appear depressed or anxious. adhd in older women can be triggered by major changes in life such as marriage, beginning new jobs or having children.
Undiagnosed inattentive ADHD in adults is common, and can be mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating, feelings such as sadness or despair, as well as difficulties dealing with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time-management, can result in problems at school or work and with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD can cause issues with coping skills for women and girls, including procrastination or underestimating how long the task will take (timeblindness). They may have trouble keeping track of appointments and schedules, misplace or lose belongings easily, and jump from one task to the next. They may also have issues with controlling their impulses. This could include making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD should be aware of their symptoms and seek assistance. They can seek help through their primary care physician or a mental health professional. In addition they can improve their coping abilities by using methods of organization, like making lists or preparing ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters which improve concentration and attention. It is also a good idea to divide up household and caregiving responsibilities with their partner or other support network, so they aren't overloaded by chores or run-of-the-mill chores.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is typically needed to manage ADHD symptoms, which includes medication and therapy. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines can help to reduce the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. There are also nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy is a great method to address the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in which they instruct people on how to change negative thoughts or behavior. Other therapists offer one-onone therapy that focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help those with ADHD connect with other people who suffer from the disorder and share strategies for managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD can be difficult for some women to accept. Some women may believe that their issues result from a lack of discipline or poor parenting. This can affect their self-esteem. In addition, they may feel frustrated by their inability to keep up with their work or school, and this can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or menopausal. This can make it more difficult to deal with emotional manifestations such as mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can also lead to difficulties in relationships because of the way they are perceived by other people.
Women with inattentive ADHD often struggle to maintain a stable home life, and this can cause problems at work or school. They might, for example forget important appointments, or pay their bills late. They may have problems organizing their work or school supplies and might be unable to complete tasks. They might be unable to comprehend social boundaries and interrupting other people while talking. These issues can lead to conflict in relationships and affect a woman's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD aren't able to ask for assistance. They may believe that their difficulties are not enough serious to warrant attention or that they shouldn't be in a position to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be afraid of the stigma that comes with being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make it more difficult to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also turn to unhealthy coping behaviors such as drinking alcohol or substance abuse which can result in health issues and other issues, like nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) which can involve burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD often struggle with feelings of inadequateness or chronic stress. This makes it harder to identify and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often mask symptoms or use compensatory strategies, particularly as they age, to cover their symptoms. Masking can cause problems at work or at school and may affect relationships.
Research has shown that women with ADHD are at a higher risk of experiencing rejection sensitivity and having difficulty finding a job. These experiences can trigger negative thoughts, which can lead to a lack in confidence and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
This is why it's important for women with ADHD to be able to access appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's also essential to have a therapist or therapy professional who is knowledgeable of the unique challenges girls and women face with the disorder.
As women and girls mature and become more independent, they are likely to be confronted with social and cultural expectations that place the majority of parenting and household obligations on them. These expectations differ from those that men are expected to meet. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety, and result in chaotic, messy home environments, unfinished projects, and a refusal to seek help or admit that they have a problem.
It's also normal for females with ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to adolescence and puberty, and also to experience premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be caused by the monthly fluctuations in hormones, and may be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women with ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. As a result, they have a higher rate of negative outcomes as adults which include unemployment, relationship problems and addiction. They are also more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap can be lowered by educating the public and advocating for health professionals, parents and teachers to recognize the signs of ADHD for women and girls.
