Inattentive ADHD in Women

Many women struggled for years before they were diagnosed with ADHD. It can be a real moment of lightbulb when they are diagnosed.

The symptoms can change with hormonal changes. For example, women may notice their symptoms get worse during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.

Women also can take on ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This can make it difficult to get diagnosed and treat their ADHD.

Causes

Women with inattentive ADHD often do not get diagnosed until adulthood, when their problems begin to impact with school, work, and personal relationships. This is partly due to gender biases in clinical settings as well as in the perceptions of teachers and parents, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms for girls than boys, even if the symptoms are clear (Ohan and Visser, 2009).

Inattentive ADHD causes women to forget appointments, miss deadlines and lose track of time, which makes it hard to plan ahead or organize their thoughts. They also struggle to prioritize tasks. They may be unable to maintain focus on conversations and can easily get distracted by external stimuli or their own internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor performance at work or at school, leading to low self-esteem.

Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by their family, friends and coworkers. Their frustration with their symptoms heightens the misunderstandings they experience which can lead to tensions adult add in women relationships. They are often dismissed as irrational and moody, which can further increase their feeling of being misunderstood.

women with attention deficit disorder who have inattention ADHD also suffer from various emotional issues such as anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse by hormone fluctuations like during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal. In these instances, hormone levels of estrogen decrease and progesterone levels increase and can cause an increase in adhd assessment for adult women symptoms.

Another reason for inattentive ADHD is environmental factors, like a chaotic house environment or work life which lacks structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD can have difficulty staying on task and become distracted at work, resulting in a feeling of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also have a harder time accepting criticism or negative feedback which can further degrade their confidence and make them avoid social interactions.

Lastly, women with inattentive adult adhd symptoms women are more likely to struggle with creating and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely to suffer from coexisting anxiety or depression and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which can make them more reluctant to commit to a relationship. This can lead them to feel lonely, which can contribute to anxiety and depression.

Symptoms

Women in adhd with undiagnosed ADHD often have low self esteem due to their struggles to cope. They can be discouraged by comments from others that they are negligent or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. They might adopt unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or use of drugs. They may also resort non-suicidal methods of self-injury like cutting, burning, or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work and school.

Girls and women with ADHD are often more likely to be misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This is because the signs of anxiety and depression are typically similar to those of ADHD. Furthermore women who are not diagnosed with ADHD can experience mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life changes such as getting married, beginning an entirely new job or becoming a mother.

Undiagnosed inattention ADHD in adults is frequent, and is often mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentration and a feeling of sadness or hopelessness, and difficulties in coping with stress and criticism. When combined with poor time management, these issues can create problems at work or school and can cause issues with family and friends.

Attention-deficit ADHD can cause problems with coping skills for girls and women, such as procrastination or a tendency of underestimating how long a task will take (timeblindness). They can have trouble keeping track of their schedules and appointments, are prone to lose or misplace their belongings and are prone to jump from one task to another. They may also struggle with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making decisions impulsively.

Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD should understand their symptoms and seek assistance. They can seek treatment from their primary healthcare provider or a mental health professional. In addition, they can try to improve their coping skills making use of strategies for organizing, such as writing lists or preparing ahead. They can also participate in exercises, which release neurotransmitters that increase 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 are not overloaded by chores or errands.

Treatment

A combination of treatments is usually required to treat ADHD symptoms, which includes therapy and medication. Stimulant medications like amphetamines and methylphenidate can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy is a great method to address the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists offer cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) that is where they help people change negative thoughts or behavior. Some offer one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help people with ADHD connect with others with the same condition and share ideas about managing symptoms.

A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD can be difficult for some women to accept. Some women may think that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or a lack of parenting. This can affect their self-esteem. In addition, they may feel frustrated by their inability to keep up with their work or school, which can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.

The symptoms of ADHD can be heightened during hormonal changes, such as those caused by menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. This can make it more difficult to cope with emotional symptoms, like irritability and mood swings. These symptoms can also cause issues in relationships due to how they are perceived by others.

Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to maintain a stable family life. This can cause difficulties at school or at work. They might, for example forget important appointments, or pay their bills late. They may have trouble organizing their work or school supplies and might be unable to complete tasks. They may have difficulty understanding social boundaries or interrupting other people while they're talking. These issues can create conflict in relationships and impact a woman's overall perception of self-worth.

Many women with inattentive ADHD are hesitant to seek assistance. They might think that their problems are not sufficient to warrant attention or they believe that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be scared of the stigma associated with getting a diagnosis of ADHD which could make it harder for them to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in adult add women can result in depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also engage in unhealthy strategies for coping, such as alcohol or drug abuse. This can lead to health issues and other issues, such as nonsuicidal harming themselves (NSSI) which includes cutting or burning.

Self-Esteem

Women with ADHD often have to cope with feelings of unworthiness or chronic stress. This can make it more difficult to identify and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often cover up symptoms or employ strategies to compensate, particularly as they get older, to conceal them. Masking can lead to difficulties at school or work, and can result in relationships being damaged.

Additionally, research has shown that women with ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms that are related to rejection sensitivity and have difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can cause negative self-talk which leads to an insecurity and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.

In these circumstances, it's important for women with ADHD to be able to access proper diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they have access to the right therapist or clinician who is aware of the difficulties both women and girls have to face when dealing with ADHD.

As girls and women mature, they may face the expectations of society and culture that place the majority of household and parenting responsibilities on them. These expectations differ from those imposed on men. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety and lead to chaotic, messy homes, unfinished projects and a reluctance to seek help or admit they have a problem.

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 made worse by the fluctuation in hormones, and may be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood swings.

Women suffering from ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. This means that they are more likely to experience a variety of negative outcomes as they age which include relationship issues, unemployment, and use of drugs. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap can be closed by enhancing awareness and advocacy efforts to assist health professionals, teachers and parents recognize the signs of ADHD in girls and women.