Ten Stereotypes About Inattentive ADHD In Women That Aren't Always True

Inattentive ADHD in Women Many women have to struggle for years before getting a diagnosis of ADHD. It could be a moment of lightbulb when they are diagnosed. Symptoms can fluctuate due to hormonal changes. For instance, women might feel their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy. Women can also take on ADHD traits which leads to depression. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat ADHD. Causes Women who suffer from inattention ADHD often do not get diagnosed until adulthood, when their problems begin to impact with school, work, and personal relationships. This is due to gender bias, both in the clinical setting and in the parents' and teachers' perceptions, who are less likely than boys to recognize ADHD symptoms. Inattentive ADHD can cause women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose the track of time, making it difficult to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They may also find it difficult to focus on conversations and can easily be distracted by external stimuli or internal thoughts and daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to low performance at work or in school, which could lead to low self-esteem. Friends, family members and coworkers often misunderstand women with inattention ADHD. Their anger over their symptoms can lead to more misunderstandings they face. This can lead to tensions between people. They are often dismissed as irrational and moody, which can increase the feeling that they are misunderstood. Women with inattentive ADHD are also susceptible to depression and anxiety. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations like during menstrual cycle and pregnancy or perimenopausal. In this period, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase, which can worsen ADHD. External factors can also contribute to inattentive ADHD for example, the chaos of your home or a work life without a clear structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are prone to having difficulty staying on task and get behind in their work, leading to a feeling of failure and low confidence. They may also find it difficult to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further diminish confidence and lead to people avoiding social interactions. In addition, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships with their partners. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety that is co-existing and are more prone to rejection, which can make them less willing to take a risk with a romantic relationship. This can cause them to feel alone which can cause anxiety and depression. Symptoms Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD frequently suffer from low self-esteem due to their struggle to deal with. People may tell them that they are reckless or forgetful. They could develop unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drug use. They might also turn to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting, burning, or scratching. The symptoms of ADHD can interfere with relationships at work, school, and other activities. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often more likely to be misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. This is because many of the symptoms of these disorders are similar with those of ADHD. add symptoms in women with undiagnosed ADHD might also suffer from mood swings, which can make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be brought on by major life changes, such as getting married, beginning in a new job or becoming a parent. add in adult women with inattention ADHD are also often misdiagnosed and are often mistaken for borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating and feelings of sadness or hopelessness, as well as difficulties managing stress and criticism. When combined with poor time management, these issues can cause problems at work or school and can cause issues with family and friends. Inattentive ADHD can cause issues with coping skills in women and girls, including procrastination or a tendency of underestimating the time an activity will take (timeblindness). They may have trouble keeping track of appointments and schedules, misplace or lose belongings easily, and jump from one task to the next. They also may have issues with controlling their impulses, for example, interrupting others or making decisions impulsively. It is crucial for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD to understand the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. They can also attempt to improve their coping abilities by using organizational techniques like creating lists or planning ahead. They can also participate in exercises, which release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It is also recommended to divide the caregiving and household responsibilities with their spouse or another family members, so they aren't overwhelmed by chores or other errands. Treatment Treatments for ADHD symptoms typically include therapy and medication. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines can help reduce the inattention symptoms of ADHD. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. The behavioral therapy method is a great option to treat the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is where they instruct people on how to modify negative thoughts or behaviors. Other therapists offer one-onone therapy which focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are a great way for people suffering from ADHD to meet other people who have the same disorder and learn about how to manage symptoms. For some women, a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD is difficult to accept. Some women may think that their problems are caused by a lack discipline or a lack of parenting. This could impact their self-esteem. Additionally, they might be frustrated at their inability to keep up with their work or school, which can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment. ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes such as those that occur during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it more difficult to deal with emotional manifestations like anger or mood swings. These symptoms can cause difficulties in relationships because of the way they are perceived by others. 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 might have issues organizing their work or school supplies and may struggle to complete their tasks. They may have difficulty understanding the social boundaries and interrupting others while they're talking. These issues can cause conflict in relationships and impact a woman's sense of self-worth. Many women with inattentive ADHD find it difficult to seek assistance. They may think that their problems aren't serious enough to require attention, or that they should be in a position to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps.” They might also be afraid of the stigma associated when they are diagnosed with ADHD which could make them less likely to seek treatment. Women with untreated ADHD may develop depression or suicidal. They might also adopt unhealthy coping strategies, such alcohol or substance abuse. This can lead to health issues and other issues such as nonsuicidal harming themselves (NSSI), including burning or cutting. Self-Esteem Women with ADHD often have to cope with feelings of inadequateness or constant stress. This makes it harder to recognize and communicate symptoms and seek treatment. It's also normal for women to cover up their symptoms or develop compensatory strategies to hide their symptoms from others, particularly as they get older. Masking can cause issues at work or at school and can affect relationships. Research has shown that women with ADHD are more at risk of experiencing rejection sensitivity and having difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative self-talk, which can lead to anxiety and difficulty with interpersonal relationships. It is essential that women with ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's also vital that they have a clinician or therapist who is familiar with the unique challenges that girls and women face with the disorder. As girls and women become teenagers, they might encounter cultural and social norms that place the majority of household and parenting duties on them, and differ from those placed on fathers. These pressures can lead to anxiety and depression and result in a disorganized and chaotic home environment, unfinished projects, and an inability for women and girls to ask for help. It is also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms related to adolescence and puberty, and also to experience premenstrual dysphoria. The fluctuation in hormone levels can make these symptoms worse, and they might be misinterpreted as a sign of other issues such as anxiety or mood swings. Women with ADHD are less likely than males to be aware of their condition and receive treatment. They are more likely to experience negative consequences in adulthood, such as relationships, unemployment, and substance abuse. They are also more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, and remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap could be closed by enhancing awareness and advocacy efforts to help health professionals and teachers as well as parents recognize the signs of ADHD in women and girls.