5 Lessons You Can Learn From Inattentive ADHD In Women
Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women have struggled for a long time before they were diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it can be like an epiphany.
Symptoms can fluctuate due to hormonal changes. Women may be aware that their symptoms are worse during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to accept their ADHD traits, which leads to depression. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD typically are not diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their problems begin to impact with school, work and personal relationships. This is due in part to gender biases in both clinical settings as well as in the perceptions of teachers and parents, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls than boys even if the symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Inattentive ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines and lose track of time. They also have difficulty prioritizing their tasks, organizing their thoughts, or planning ahead. They may also have difficulty maintaining focus during conversations, and are easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor school or work performance, which leads to feelings of self-esteem loss and frustration.
Family members, friends and coworkers often misunderstand women with inattention ADHD. Their anger over their symptoms heightens the misunderstandings they experience and can lead to strained relationships. They are often dismissed as being irrational and moody which can further aggravate their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD also suffer from a range of emotional problems that include anxiety and depression. These issues can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. At these times, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Another reason for inattention ADHD is environmental factors like a chaotic home environment or a work schedule that does not provide enough structure. Women with inattentive ADHD may have trouble keeping on track and may fall behind at work, which can lead to a feeling of being unworthy and low confidence. They might also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further undermine confidence and cause people to avoid social interactions.
Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties in establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to have depression or anxiety and may be particularly sensitive to rejection, which could make them more reluctant to commit to a relationship. This can cause isolation, which can also contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Symptoms
Women with undiagnosed ADHD frequently suffer from low self-esteem due to their struggles to cope. They might be discouraged by comments from others that they are careless or forgetful. They could develop unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive alcohol or drug use. They might also resort to self-injury without suicide, like cutting, burning, or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD tend to be mistakenly diagnosed more often as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is due to the fact that many of the symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of ADHD. In addition, women who have undiagnosed ADHD can experience mood swings that cause them to appear anxious or depressed. These symptoms can be caused by major changes in your life, such as marriage, beginning new jobs, or becoming parents.
Adults who have inattention ADHD are also often misdiagnosed, and may be mistaken as bipolar or borderline personality disorder. The symptoms include trouble concentrating, feelings such as sadness or hopelessness and issues handling stress and criticism. Combined with poor time management, these signs can create problems at school or at work and can cause issues with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in girls and women can lead to problems with coping skills, such as procrastination and the tendency to underestimate the time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have trouble keeping track of appointments and schedules and lose or misplace items easily, and jump from one task to the next. They may also have issues with controlling their impulses. This can include making decisions impulsively or interrupting others.
It is crucial for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD to be aware of their symptoms and get help. They can seek treatment through their primary care provider or mental health specialist. They can also try to improve their ability to cope by using organizational techniques like creating lists or planning ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters, which enhance focus and attention. It is also recommended to divide the caregiving and household responsibilities with their partner or other family members, so they aren't overloaded by chores or other errands.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD symptoms typically include therapy and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms of inattention. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy is a great option to treat the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Certain therapists employ cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which teaches people to modify negative thoughts and behaviors, while others offer individual therapy for self-esteem and emotional control. Support groups are an excellent way for people with ADHD to connect with others with the same diagnosis and learn about ways to manage symptoms.
For some women, a diagnosis of inattention ADHD is difficult to accept. Some women might believe that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or poor parenting. This could affect their self-esteem. In addition, they could be frustrated with their inability to keep up with their work or school, and this can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes like those that occur during menstruation and pregnancy or menopausal. This can make it more difficult to manage emotional manifestations such as mood swings or irritability. These symptoms can cause problems in relationships due to how they are perceived by other people, especially male friends or colleagues.
Women with inattentive ADHD often have difficulty maintaining a stable home life, and this can cause issues at school or at work. For example, they might forget important appointments or pay bills late. They may have trouble organizing their work or school materials, and they may be unable to complete tasks. They might have trouble in recognizing social boundaries or interrupting people when they talk. These issues can result in conflicts in relationships, and impact a woman's sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to seek assistance. They may think that their issues aren't serious enough to require attention or that they shouldn't be able to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They may also be afraid of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD which can make it harder for them to seek treatment. Women with untreated ADHD can become depressed or suicidal. They can also resort to unhealthy coping behaviors like alcohol or substance abuse, which can cause health problems and other issues, like self-injury 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 makes it harder to identify and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. It is also common for women to hide their symptoms or devise strategies to disguise them from others, particularly as they age. Masking can cause adhd in women uk at work or at school and may affect relationships.
Additionally, research has shown 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 cause negative self-talk, which can lead to a lack of confidence and difficulty in social relationships.
This is why it is crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access the right diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they are able to access the right therapist or clinician who is familiar with the challenges both women and girls confront with ADHD.
As girls and women grow older as they get older, they will be faced with societal and cultural expectations which place the majority of household and parenting responsibilities on them. These expectations are different from those placed on men. These pressures can trigger depression and anxiety, and can result in a messy and chaotic home environment as well as unfinished projects and an inability for girls and women to reach out for assistance.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of adolescence are also common in females who suffer from ADHD. These symptoms can be caused by the fluctuations in hormones, and could be mistaken for anxiety or mood shifts.
Women who suffer from ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. This means that they have a higher rate of negative outcomes as they age, including relationship issues, unemployment, and use of drugs. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the remainder of their lives. This gap can be reduced by increasing education and advocating for health professionals as well as teachers and parents to recognize the symptoms of ADHD for women and girls.