Who Is Inattentive ADHD In Women And Why You Should Be Concerned
Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women struggle for years before receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. When they do, it may be like an epiphany.
The symptoms can change with hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms worsen during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women also can take on ADHD traits which leads to depression. This can make it difficult to be diagnosed and treated for their ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD often do not get diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect them with school, work and personal relationships. This is due in part 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 when those symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Inattentive ADHD causes women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose track of time, making it difficult to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They may also have difficulties maintaining focus during conversations, and be easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These issues can lead to poor work or school performance, which leads to feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration.
Family members, friends and colleagues often misunderstand women with inattentive ADHD. Their discontent with their condition increases the mistrust they face which can cause tensions in relationships. They are often viewed as being irrational and moody which can increase their feelings of being misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD can also suffer from anxiety and depression. These issues can be made worse due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance during menstrual cycles and pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. During this time, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise which can cause an increase in ADHD.
External factors can also contribute to inattentive ADHD, such as an unorganized home or a work life that is not structured. Women with inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty staying on task and become distracted at work, leading to a feeling of insecurity and a sense of failure. They may also have difficulty accepting negative feedback or criticism which can further undermine their confidence and result in them avoiding social interactions.
Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely than the rest to suffer from anxiety or depression, and are more vulnerable to rejection. This may make them reluctant to risk a romantic connection. This can lead to a feeling of isolation, which can also contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD often have low self esteem due to their struggles to cope. Some may say that they are reckless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive alcohol or drugs. They might also resort to self-injury that is not suicide-related, such as cutting or burning. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work and school.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. This is because many of the symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of ADHD. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might also have mood swings that make them appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can also be caused by major life changes such as getting married, beginning a new job, or becoming a parent.
Undiagnosed inattentive ADHD in adults is also prevalent, and could be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include trouble concentrating, feelings of despair or sadness and difficulties coping with criticism and stress. These symptoms, when paired with poor time management, can lead to issues at work or school and with family members and friends.
Inattentional ADHD can cause problems with coping abilities in women and girls, including procrastination or underestimating how long an activity will take (timeblindness). They can have trouble keeping track of schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace their belongings and are susceptible to flitting from one task to another. They might also be struggling with impulse control. Highly recommended Site could include making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD must be aware of their symptoms and seek help. They can seek help from their primary care physician or a mental health specialist. They can also try to improve their coping skills by using organizational techniques like making lists or planning in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It is also a good idea to divide up household and caregiving responsibilities with their spouse or another support networks, so that they don't get stressed by chores or running 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. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. The behavioral therapy method is a great option to treat the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Therapists may employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to change negative thoughts and behaviors, while others offer individual therapy for self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people with ADHD to connect with others who have the same disorder and learn about ways to manage their symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD could be a challenge for some women to accept. Some women may believe that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or a lack of parenting. This can affect their self-esteem. In addition, they may be frustrated with their inability to keep up with work or school, which can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Symptoms of ADHD can be heightened when hormonal changes occur like those brought on by menstruation, pregnancy, or menopausal. This can make it difficult to cope with emotional manifestations, such as mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can also cause relationship problems because of the way they are perceived by other people, especially male colleagues or partners.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to keep an orderly family life. This can cause difficulties at work or school. For instance, they may not remember important appointments or pay bills late. They may have problems organizing their work or school materials, and they may have difficulty completing tasks. They might be unable to comprehend the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt others while they talk. These problems can cause conflicts in relationships and can affect women's overall sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD find it difficult to seek help. They might think that their issues aren't sufficient to warrant attention, or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They might also be scared of the stigma that comes when they are diagnosed with ADHD which could make them less likely to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can result in depression or suicidal thoughts. They can also resort to unhealthy coping behaviors, such as alcohol or substance abuse, which can lead to health issues and other issues, such as nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), which includes burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD often have to cope with feelings of unworthiness or constant stress. This makes it harder to recognize and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. Women often cover up symptoms or use compensatory strategies, particularly as they age, to hide their symptoms. Masking can cause issues at work or at school and can affect relationships.
Furthermore, research suggests that women with ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms that are related to rejection sensitivity and to have trouble finding jobs. These experiences can lead to negative thoughts, which can lead to a lack in confidence and issues with interpersonal relationships.
It is important that women with ADHD receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital that they have a clinician or therapist who understands the unique challenges females and girls face with the disorder.
As girls and women grow up, they may be confronted with cultural and societal expectations that place the majority of the household and parenting responsibilities on them, and differ from those placed on fathers. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety, and result in chaotic, messy living spaces, incomplete projects and a lack of willingness to ask for help or admit that they have a problem.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of adolescents are also common in females with ADHD. These symptoms can be made worse by the fluctuations in hormones, and may be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood shifts.
Women who suffer from ADHD often experience a lack of awareness about their condition, and they're less likely to receive treatment than males. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes as they age including problems with relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be reduced by educating the public and advocating for health professionals, teachers and parents to recognize the symptoms of ADHD for women and girls.