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Many women have struggled for a long time before they were diagnosed with ADHD. It could be a moment of lightbulb when they are diagnosed.
Symptoms often fluctuate with hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
Women also have the ability to be prone to internalizing ADHD characteristics that can lead to depression. This can make it harder to diagnose and treat their ADHD.
Causes
Women who have inattentive ADHD tend to not be diagnosed until they reach adulthood, at which point their problems begin to impact with school, work, and personal relationships. This is due to gender biases, both in the clinical setting as well as in teachers' and parents' perceptions, who are less likely than boys to recognize ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD causes women to forget appointments, miss deadlines and lose track of time, which makes it difficult to plan ahead or organize their thoughts. They also struggle to prioritize tasks. They may also have trouble maintaining focus during conversations, and become easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to low performance at work or at school, leading to a low self-esteem.
Family members, friends and coworkers often misunderstand women with inattentive ADHD. Their discontent with their condition can increase the misperceptions they face. This can lead to tensions in relationships. They are often viewed by others as moody or crazy. This can increase their feeling of being misunderstood.
Women with inattentive ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. These issues can be exacerbated by hormone fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycle and pregnancy or perimenopausal. In this period 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 at work with little structure. Women who suffer from inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay on track at work and may get behind in their work. This results in a feeling of failure and low self-esteem. They may also be unable to accept negative feedback or criticism. This can further undermine confidence and cause people to avoid social interaction.
Additionally, women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties creating and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely than other women to be suffering from depression or anxiety, and they can be more susceptible to rejection. This may cause them to be less willing to risk a romantic connection. This can lead to isolation and can contribute to anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Most women with undiagnosed ADHD have low self-esteem when they try to manage the condition. They may become discouraged by criticism from people that they are careless or aloof, forgetful, or insecure. adult adhd symptoms women might develop unhealthy coping methods that include excessive drinking or drug use. They might also turn to non-suicidal self-injury, including cutting or burning. ADHD symptoms can affect relationships, work, and school.
Women and girls with ADHD tend to be misdiagnosed more often as suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. This is because a lot of symptoms of these disorders overlap with the symptoms of ADHD. Women with undiagnosed ADHD might also have mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can also be triggered by major life events, such as getting married, beginning an entirely new job or becoming a parent.
Adults with inattention ADHD are also commonly misdiagnosed, and may be mistaken for bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty concentration, feelings of despair or sadness and difficulties in coping with criticism and stress. When combined with poor time management, these issues can cause problems at work or school and can cause issues with family and friends.
Inattentional ADHD in women and girls can cause trouble with managing skills, like procrastination and a tendency to underestimate the time tasks will take (time blindness). They may have difficulty keeping an eye on their schedules and appointments and may lose or misplace their belongings easily, and flit from one task to the next. They may also struggle with impulse control, like interrupting others or making impulsive decisions.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD should understand the signs and symptoms and seek treatment. They can seek help from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. Additionally they can improve their coping skills by using strategies for organizing, such as writing lists or preparing ahead. Exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It's also an excellent idea to share household and caregiver tasks with their spouse or a different support system so that they do not feel overwhelmed.
Treatment
A combination of treatments is usually required to control ADHD symptoms, which can include therapy and medication. Stimulant medications like amphetamines and methylphenidate can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms of inattention. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. The behavioral therapy method is a great way to help with the emotional and organizational aspects of ADHD. Therapists may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is where they instruct people on how to change negative thoughts or behavior. Some offer one-on-one therapy that focuses on self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people who suffer from ADHD to meet other people with the same diagnosis and learn about how to manage their symptoms.
A diagnosis of inattention ADHD could be difficult for some women to accept. Some women may believe that their issues are caused by a lack discipline or a poor parenting style. This could impact their self-esteem. They may also feel embarrassed and ashamed due to their inability to keep up with school or work.
The symptoms of ADHD are more severe during hormonal changes, such as those caused by pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopausal. This can make it more difficult to manage emotional manifestations such as irritability or mood swings. These symptoms can cause issues in relationships due to how they are perceived by others.
Women with inattentive ADHD often have difficulty maintaining an orderly home life, which can cause issues at school or at work. For example, they might forget important appointments or pay bills late. They might have issues organizing their work or school supplies and might be unable to complete tasks. They might be unable to comprehend social boundaries and interrupting other people when they are talking. These issues can result in conflict in relationships and can affect women's self-esteem.
Many women suffering from inattention ADHD are unable to seek help. They may believe that their problems aren't enough serious to warrant attention, or that they should be capable of "pull themselves up by their bootstraps." They might also be afraid of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with ADHD which could make it harder for them to seek treatment. If left untreated, ADHD in women can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. They might also adopt unhealthy strategies for coping, such as alcohol or drug abuse. This can cause health problems and other issues like self-harming that is not suicidal (NSSI), including cutting or burning.
Self-Esteem
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle with feelings of inadequateness or chronic stress. This can make it more difficult to identify and articulate symptoms, and get treatment. Women often cover up symptoms or resort to compensatory strategies, especially as they get older, to conceal them. Masking can cause issues at school or work and can affect relationships.
Research has shown that women with ADHD are more at risk of experiencing rejection sensitivity and having difficulty finding an employment. These experiences can trigger negative thoughts that can lead to a lack of confidence and issues with interpersonal relationships.
For these reasons, it's crucial for women suffering from ADHD to be able to access the right diagnosis and treatment. It's also crucial that they work with a doctor or therapy professional who is knowledgeable of the unique challenges that females and girls confront with the disorder.
As women and girls grow up, they may encounter societal and cultural expectations that place the bulk of the household and parenting responsibilities on them, and that differ from those placed on fathers. These pressures can cause depression and anxiety, and result in chaotic, unorganized living spaces, incomplete projects and a lack of willingness to ask for assistance or admit that they are struggling.
Premenstrual dysphoria and symptoms of adolescence are also common in females with ADHD. The fluctuations in hormone levels can cause these symptoms to become more severe and could be mistaken for other issues such as anxiety or mood fluctuations.
Women suffering from ADHD typically experience an absence of awareness of their condition, and are less likely to receive treatment than males. Because of this, they're more at risk of negative outcomes as they age, including relationships, unemployment and substance use. They're also more likely be misdiagnosed than men and are more likely to remain undiagnosed throughout 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.