Many women have struggled for a long time before being diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a lightbulb moment for them when they are diagnosed.
The symptoms can change with hormonal changes. For example, women may feel their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to be prone to internalizing ADHD traits which leads to depression. This can make it harder to diagnose and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women who suffer from inattentional ADHD are often not diagnosed until adulthood, when their issues begin to affect work, school, and personal relationships. This is due to gender bias, both in clinical settings and in the parents’ and teachers perceptions. Teachers and parents are less likely than males to recognize adhd in women checklist symptoms.
Inattentional ADHD causes women to forget appointments, forget deadlines and lose track of time, making it hard for them to plan ahead, organize their thoughts or prioritize tasks. They may also have difficulty maintaining focus during conversations, and be easily distracted by external stimuli, internal thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can result in poor work or school performance and can lead to low self-esteem and frustration.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are often misunderstood by friends, family and coworkers. Their anger over their symptoms can lead to confusion and mistrust and can lead to tensions in relationships. They are often dismissed by others as moody or crazy. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women who are not attentive ADHD may also be suffering from depression and anxiety. These issues can be exacerbated by fluctuations in hormone levels that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal. In this time, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase, which can exacerbate ADHD.
Another reason for inattentive ADHD is the influence of environmental factors, such as a chaotic home or work environment that does not provide enough structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay on track at work and fall behind quickly, which leads to a sense of self-doubt and a sense of failure. They may also be unable to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further diminish confidence and lead to people avoiding social interactions.
Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to struggle with in establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety that is co-existing and are more prone to rejection, which could cause them to be more reluctant to commit to a relationship. This can lead to a feeling of isolation, which can also contribute to anxiety and depression.
signs of add in adult women and symptoms
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD often have low self esteem due to their struggles to cope. Others may comment that they are reckless or forgetful. They might develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive alcohol or drug use. They might also resort to non-suicidal ways of self-injury, such as cutting, burning, or scratching. Symptoms of ADHD can cause problems with relationships, work, and school.
Women and girls with mild adhd in women 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 the symptoms of ADHD. In addition women with undiagnosed ADHD can experience mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be caused by major life changes such as getting married, beginning in a new job, or becoming a parent.
Undiagnosed inattention ADHD in adults is also prevalent, and could be mistaken as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include trouble concentrating and a feeling of despair or sadness and difficulties coping with stress and criticism. When combined with poor time management, these issues can cause difficulties at school or at work and cause problems with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in women and girls can cause trouble with the ability to cope, including procrastination, and a tendency to underestimate the length of time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have difficulty keeping track of schedules and appointments, can easily lose or misplace their belongings and are susceptible to flitting from one task to another. They can also have problems with impulse control, like interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD must be aware of their symptoms and seek help. They can seek treatment from their primary healthcare provider or a mental health professional. They can also try to improve their coping abilities by using organizational techniques like making lists or preparing in advance. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve focus and attention. It’s also recommended for them to share household and caregiving chores with their partner or another support network to ensure they do not feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is often needed to manage ADHD symptoms, including therapy and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms of inattention. There are also nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine. Behavioral therapy can help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Some therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people to change negative thoughts and behavior, while others offer one-on-one therapy for self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people suffering from ADHD to meet other people who share the same condition and learn about ways to manage symptoms.
For some women, the diagnosis of inattention ADHD can be difficult to accept. They may think that their problems are due to a lack of discipline or bad parenting, and this can affect their self-esteem. They may also feel embarrassed and ashamed by their inability maintain their school schedule or work.
ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes such as those that occur during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. This can make it difficult to cope with emotional manifestations such as anger or mood swings. These symptoms can also cause relationship problems because of the way they are perceived by others, especially male friends or colleagues.
Women with inattention ADHD struggle to maintain a stable home life. This can cause difficulties 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 supplies and might struggle to complete their tasks. They may have difficulty understanding the social boundaries and interrupting others while they talk. These issues can result in conflict in relationships and can affect women’s self-esteem.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD have difficulty asking for assistance. They may believe that their symptoms aren’t severe enough 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 being diagnosed with ADHD which could make it more difficult to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD may develop depression or suicidal. They can also resort to unhealthy coping behaviors like alcohol or drug abuse, which can cause health problems and other issues, such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which includes cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD are often plagued by feelings of inadequacy and chronic stress. This can make it more difficult to identify and articulate symptoms, and seek treatment. It’s also normal for women to mask their symptoms or devise strategies to disguise them from others, particularly as they age. Masking can lead to difficulties at work or school and can result in relationships being damaged.
Research shows that women with ADHD have a higher risk of experiencing rejection sensitivity and having difficulty finding a job. These experiences can reinforce negative self-talk, which can lead to anxiety and difficulty in social relationships.
It is crucial that women with ADHD receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. It’s essential that they have access to a clinician or therapist that is aware of the difficulties that girls and women have to face when dealing with ADHD.
As girls and women mature and become more independent, they are likely to be confronted with societal and cultural expectations which place the majority of household and parenting responsibility on them. These expectations are different from those that men are expected to meet. These pressures can increase depression and anxiety and lead to chaotic, unorganized living spaces, incomplete projects and a reluctance to seek help or admit that they are struggling.
The symptoms of premenstrual dysphoria as well as adolescents are also common in females who suffer from ADHD. The monthly fluctuations in hormone levels can make these symptoms worse and could be misinterpreted as other problems such as anxiety or mood swings.
Women with ADHD often experience an absence of awareness of their condition, and are less likely to receive treatment than men. They are more likely to suffer negative outcomes in adulthood which include problems with relationships, unemployment and abuse of substances. They are also more likely to be misdiagnosed compared to men and are more likely to remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. This gap can be reduced by increasing education and advocating for health professionals, parents and teachers to recognize the signs of ADHD in women and girls.
