Inattentive ADHD in Women

Many women struggled for years before being diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a lightbulb moment when they are diagnosed.

The symptoms often change in response to hormonal changes. Women may notice that their symptoms get worse when they are experiencing menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.

Women can also internalize ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This makes it more difficult to identify and treat ADHD.

Causes

Women with inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their problems start to affect work, school, and personal relationships. This is due in part to gender bias in both clinical settings and in the perceptions of parents and teachers who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys even if the symptoms are evident (Ohan and Visser 2009).

Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, forget deadlines, and lose track of the time. They also have trouble managing their thoughts, or planning ahead. They may be unable to keep their attention on conversations and can easily get distracted by external stimuli, or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to low performance at work or at school, leading to a low self-esteem.

Friends, family members and coworkers often misunderstand women with inattentive ADHD. Their discontent with their condition can increase the misperceptions they face. This can lead to tensions in relationships. They are often viewed by others as moody or crazy. This can increase their feeling of being untrusted.

Women with inattentive ADHD may also be suffering from anxiety and depression. These issues can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. In this period estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels rise, which can worsen ADHD.

Another cause of inattentive ADHD is environmental factors, such as a chaotic home environment or a work schedule that does not provide enough structure. Women with inattentive add in women ADHD frequently have difficulty staying focused at work and can be unable to keep up with their work, which results in a feeling of inadequacy and low self-esteem. They might also have a harder time accepting negative feedback or criticism, which can further erode their confidence and cause them to avoid social interactions.

Women with inattentive ADHD have a higher tendency to struggle with developing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely than other women to be suffering from depression or anxiety and they are more vulnerable to rejection. This may make them less willing to take on a romantic relationship. This can lead them to feel lonely which can cause depression and anxiety.

Signs and symptoms

Women who have not been diagnosed with adhd in women test often 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 develop unhealthy coping methods like excessive drinking or use of drugs. They may also resort to self-injury that is not suicide-related, such as cutting or burning. The symptoms of ADHD can interfere with relationships as well as work and school.

Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This is because the signs of anxiety and depression are frequently similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may also experience mood swings, making them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be brought on by major life changes such as getting married, beginning in a new job or becoming a mother.

Adults with inattention ADHD are also often mistakenly diagnosed, and can be mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating and feelings of despair or sadness and difficulties handling stress and criticism. Combined with poor time management, these issues can cause difficulties at school or at work and can cause issues with family and friends.

Inattentional ADHD can cause issues with coping abilities in girls and women, such as procrastination or a tendency of underestimating the time the task will take (timeblindness). They may have difficulty keeping an eye on their schedules and appointments, misplace or lose belongings easily, and flit from one task to the next. They may also struggle with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.

Women with undiagnosed ADHD must be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment from their primary care physician or a mental health specialist. They can also attempt to improve their coping abilities through organizing techniques, such as making lists or planning ahead. They can also take part in physical exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It's also recommended for them to share household and caregiving chores with their partner or a different support system so that they do not feel overwhelmed.

Treatment

Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually involve medication and therapy. Drugs that stimulate the brain, like amphetamines and methylphenidate can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy can aid in the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), in which they help people modify negative thoughts or behaviors. 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 have the condition and share tips for managing symptoms.

For some women, a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be difficult to accept. Some women might believe that their issues stem from a lack of discipline or a poor parenting style. This can affect their self-esteem. In addition, they may feel frustrated by their inability to keep up with work or school, which can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.

Symptoms of ADHD can heighten during hormonal changes like those brought on by menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal. This can make it difficult to manage emotional manifestations, such as irritability or mood swings. These symptoms can also lead to difficulties in relationships because of the way they are perceived by others.

Women with inattention ADHD often have difficulty maintaining a stable home life, and this can cause difficulties at school or at work. For instance, they may miss important appointments or pay bills late. They might have difficulty organizing their schoolwork or materials, and they may be unable to finish assignments. They might have trouble in recognizing social boundaries or interrupting people when they talk. These problems can lead to conflicts adult add in women relationships, and impact a woman's self-esteem.

Many women who suffer from inattention ADHD find it difficult to seek help. They may think that their symptoms aren't severe enough to warrant attention or they believe that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They might also be afraid of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD, which can make it harder for them to seek treatment. Untreated adhd with women in women can result in depression or suicidal thoughts. They can also resort to unhealthy coping behaviors such as drinking alcohol or drug abuse, which can cause health problems and other issues, such as nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) which can involve cutting or burning.

Self-Esteem

Women with ADHD are often affected by feelings of inadequateness and chronic stress. This makes it harder to recognize and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often mask symptoms or use compensatory strategies, especially as they get older, to conceal the signs. Masking can cause problems at school or work and can affect relationships.

In addition, research shows that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than males to experience symptoms relating to sensitivity to rejection, and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can lead to negative self-talk that leads to a lack of confidence and difficulty in social relationships.

For these reasons, it's important for women with ADHD to be able to access proper diagnosis and treatment. It's crucial that they have access to the right therapist or clinician who is familiar with the challenges that women and girls face with ADHD.

As girls and women and attention deficit disorder grow older, they could encounter cultural and social norms that place the majority of parenting and household duties on them, and that differ from those imposed on fathers. These pressures can trigger depression and anxiety. They can also result in a disorganized and chaotic home, unfinished projects, and a reluctance for girls and women to reach out for assistance.

Premenstrual dysphoria and other symptoms of adolescents are also common in females with ADHD. These symptoms can be made worse by the fluctuation in hormones, and may be mistaken for anxiety or mood fluctuations.

Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and to seek treatment. They are more likely to experience negative consequences in adulthood, such as unemployment, relationship issues and addiction issues. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap could be eliminated by increasing education and advocating for health professionals, teachers and parents to recognize the symptoms of ADHD among girls and women.