How To Build A Successful Inattentive ADHD In Women If You're Not Business-Savvy
Inattentive ADHD in Women
Many women suffer for years prior to being diagnosed with ADHD. It can be a real moment of lightbulb when they receive a diagnosis.
Symptoms often fluctuate with hormonal changes. For instance, women could be able to notice that their symptoms become more severe during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.
Women also can take on ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This can make it more difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their problems start to affect work at school, as well as personal relationships. This is due in part to gender biases in both clinical settings and in the perceptions of teachers and parents, who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms for girls than boys, even if the symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser, 2009).
Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, miss deadlines, and lose track of the time. They also have difficulty prioritizing their tasks, organizing their thoughts or making plans for the future. They may be unable to maintain focus on conversations and may be distracted by external stimuli or their own internal thoughts and daydreaming. These issues can lead to poor performance at school or at work and can lead to low self-esteem and frustration.
Family members, friends and coworkers often misunderstand women with inattention ADHD. Their anger over their symptoms can lead to more misunderstandings they face. This can result in tensions between people. They are often viewed by others as moody or crazy. This can lead to a feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattention ADHD are also susceptible to depression and anxiety. These issues can be exacerbated by fluctuations in hormone levels like during menstrual cycles and pregnancy or perimenopausal. In these instances, estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise which can aggravate ADHD symptoms.
External factors can also contribute to inattentive ADHD for example, an unorganized home or in a workplace with little structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay on track at work and can fall behind quickly, which leads to a sense of failure and low self-esteem. They may also be unable to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further diminish confidence and lead to people avoiding social interaction.
Women who are inattentive ADHD have a higher tendency to struggle with creating and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety that is co-existing and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which can make them less willing to take a risk with a romantic relationship. This can cause them to feel isolated and can lead to anxiety and depression.
Signs and symptoms
Many women who are not diagnosed with ADHD suffer from low self-esteem as they struggle to manage the condition. They might be discouraged by criticism from people that they are careless, forgetful, or aloof. They may adopt unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking or use of drugs. They may also resort to non-suicidal forms of self-injury such as cutting, burning, or scratching. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Women and girls with ADHD tend to be frequently misdiagnosed as suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. This is because the symptoms of anxiety and depression are typically similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD can also have mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be caused by major life events like getting married, starting a new job or becoming a parent.
Inattentional inattention that is not diagnosed ADHD in adults is frequent, and is often mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating, feelings such as despair or sadness and issues handling stress and criticism. These symptoms, when combined with poor time management, could result in issues at work or school and with family members and friends.
Inattentive ADHD can cause problems with coping skills in girls and women, such as procrastination, or underestimating how long a task will take (timeblindness). They can have trouble keeping track of their schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace belongings, and are prone to jump from one task to the next. They may also struggle with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
It is important for women with undiagnosed ADHD to recognize the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek help from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. They can also seek to improve their coping skills through organizing techniques, such as making lists or preparing in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters, which enhance concentration and attention. It's also a good idea for them to share household and caregiver tasks with their spouse or a different support system to ensure they don't feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is typically needed to manage ADHD symptoms, which can include therapy and medication. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines may aid in reducing the symptoms of inattention of ADHD. There are also nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy is a great way to help with the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Therapists may employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people to change negative thoughts and behaviors and others provide one-on-one therapy to improve self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups can help people with ADHD connect with others who suffer from the disorder and share ideas about managing symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD could be difficult for some women to accept. Some women might believe that their issues stem from a lack of discipline or poor parenting. This could affect their self-esteem. They may be embarrassed and ashamed because they are unable to maintain their school schedule or work.
Symptoms of ADHD are more severe when hormonal changes occur, such as those caused by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopausal. This makes it more difficult to cope with emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can cause relationship problems because of how they are perceived by other people.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to maintain an orderly family life. This can lead to difficulties at school or at work. For instance, they could not remember important appointments or pay bills late. They may have issues organizing their school or work materials, and they may struggle to complete assignments. They may have difficulty understanding social boundaries and interrupting other people while talking. These problems can lead to conflict in relationships and can affect women's sense of self-worth.
Many women with inattentive ADHD aren't able to ask for assistance. adhd traits in women might think that their problems are not sufficient to warrant attention, or that "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" is possible. They may also be afraid of the stigma that comes when they are diagnosed with ADHD, which can make them less likely to seek treatment. Untreated ADHD in women can result in depression or suicidal thoughts. They may also engage in unhealthy coping behaviors like alcohol or substance abuse which can result in health issues and other issues, such as self-injury that is not suicidal (NSSI) which can involve burning or cutting.
Self-Esteem
Women with ADHD are often suffering from feelings of inadequacy and constant stress. This can make it harder to recognize and articulate symptoms and seek treatment. It's also common for women to hide their symptoms or develop strategies to disguise their symptoms from others, particularly as they age. Masking can cause difficulties at school or at work and can result in relationships being damaged.
Additionally, research has shown that women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience symptoms that are related to rejection sensitivity and to have trouble finding jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative thoughts, which can lead to a lack in confidence and issues in interpersonal relationships.
In these circumstances, it's important for women with ADHD to have access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It's important that they have access to an therapist or a therapist who is knowledgeable about the issues both women and girls face with ADHD.
As women and girls become teenagers, they might encounter societal and cultural expectations that place the majority of parenting and household duties on them, and differ from the expectations placed on fathers. These pressures can trigger depression and anxiety, and can result in a messy and chaotic home, unfinished projects, and the reluctance of girls and women to reach out for help.
The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoria as well as the adolescent years are also common among females suffering from ADHD. These symptoms can be exacerbated by the monthly fluctuations in hormones, and may be misinterpreted as anxiety or mood shifts.
Women with ADHD are less likely than men to be aware of their condition and seek treatment. They are more likely to experience negative consequences in adulthood including problems with relationships, unemployment and addiction issues. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be reduced by increasing education and advocating for health professionals, teachers and parents to recognize the signs of ADHD among girls and women.