Inattentive ADHD in Women: Signs, Symptoms, & How to Cope

What Is Inattentive ADHD?

Inattentive ADHD is a type of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) marked by challenges with attention and focus, without the hyperactivity and impulsivity found in other forms of ADHD. ADHD is divided into three types: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined, which includes symptoms of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity-impulsivity.

Symptoms of Inattentive ADHD in Women

Women with inattentive ADHD often face unique challenges because their symptoms tend to be less obvious than the more hyperactive behaviors typically associated with ADHD. They may struggle with chronic forgetfulness, disorganization, and difficulty focusing on tasks. Daydreaming frequently, losing track of conversations, or feeling constantly overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities are common experiences.

The pressure to meet societal expectations of being organized and attentive often drives women to develop coping strategies that mask their ADHD symptoms. They might become meticulous planners, rely on reminders and alarms, or put in extra hours to keep up with their tasks. Despite these efforts, they often struggle internally, leading to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and anxiety.

Here are eight signs and symptoms of inattentive ADHD in women:²

1. Difficulty with organization and time management: Women with inattentive ADHD often struggle with organizing tasks and managing their time effectively. They may frequently feel overwhelmed by multiple responsibilities.
2. Chronic forgetfulness: Women with inattentive ADHD may frequently forget appointments, deadlines, and important details. They may struggle with remembering instructions or completing tasks that require multiple steps.
3. Emotional dysregulation and mood swings: Some women with inattentive ADHD may have difficulty regulating emotions due to their ADHD, leading to frequent mood swings and intense emotional reactions.
4. Internal distractions: Inattentive ADHD in women is often characterized by excessive daydreaming, getting lost in thoughts, and experiencing a high level of internal distractions, which can make it challenging to stay focused on the tasks at hand.
5. Impaired executive functioning: ADHD executive functions, such as planning, decision-making, and problem-solving, can be impaired in women with inattentive ADHD, leading to difficulties in managing daily responsibilities and achieving long-term goals.
6. Reduced self-esteem: Because of the challenges that come with inattentive ADHD, women often end up feeling bad about themselves. They might think they’re always falling short and not living up to their potential, which can really lower their self-esteem.
7. Mental fatigue and cognitive overload: Women with inattentive ADHD may experience mental exhaustion and ADHD brain fog due to the constant effort required to stay focused and organized, reducing productivity and increasing stress.
8. Hypersensitivity: Inattentive ADHD in women often comes with hypersensitivity, and they might be more likely to experience something called rejection-sensitive dysphoria (RSD). RSD is when you have a really strong emotional reaction to feeling rejected or criticized. Studies show that women with ADHD tend to have higher levels of RSD compared to men with ADHD.³

Female Hormones & Inattentive ADHD Symptoms

The menstrual cycle in women typically spans around 28 days, but it can vary from person to person. This cycle can be divided into four main phases: the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, the ovulatory phase, and the luteal phase. Each phase affects hormone levels differently, which can subsequently influence symptoms of inattentive ADHD.

Here is how the menstrual cycle can impact a woman’s inattentive ADHD symptoms:

• Menstrual phase (days 1-5): The menstrual phase is characterized by low levels of estrogen and progesterone. During this phase, women might experience low energy and mood, increased distractibility, and difficulty concentrating due to fatigue and possible menstrual discomfort.
• Follicular phase (days 1-13): During the follicular phase, estrogen levels gradually increase. As estrogen rises, cognitive functions may improve, potentially reducing ADHD symptoms. Enhanced mood and energy levels during this phase can lead to better focus and attention.
• Ovulatory phase (day 14): The ovulatory phase is marked by a peak in estrogen levels. High estrogen during this phase can lead to improved cognitive function and reduced inattentiveness, with heightened alertness and mental clarity.
• Luteal phase (days 15-28): The luteal phase sees an increase in progesterone levels while estrogen levels initially dip but then rise again. If pregnancy does not occur, both estrogen and progesterone levels drop towards the end of this phase. High progesterone can lead to fatigue, irritability, and mood swings, which may exacerbate ADHD symptoms. The drop in estrogen and progesterone towards the end of this phase can lead to premenstrual symptoms (PMS) like mood swings, anxiety, and decreased cognitive function, potentially worsening inattentive ADHD symptoms.

Unique Ways that Inattentive ADHD Impacts Women

ADHD can impact women differently than men, leading to unique challenges that might not always be obvious. While men with ADHD often show more noticeable hyperactive behaviors, women tend to struggle quietly with issues like staying focused, organizing, and remembering things. This can be particularly tough given the high expectations for multitasking and managing both personal and work responsibilities. It’s important to recognize that these difficulties aren’t due to a lack of effort or care, but rather the unique ways inattentive ADHD manifests in women, which calls for a tailored treatment approach and support.

Here are some unique ways that inattentive ADHD impacts women:

School & Work

Women with ADHD often face significant challenges in both school and the workplace. In school, staying focused in class, finishing assignments, or completing exams on time can be difficult, leading to increased stress as they try to keep up with daily demands. Similar challenges appear in the workplace, where completing tasks and staying organized can be more difficult compared to colleagues. Additionally, a lack of understanding or empathy from employers can create a work environment that feels unsupportive or even hostile.

Personal Relationships

ADHD can also complicate personal relationships. Social difficulties, like trouble understanding social cues or experiencing intense emotional reactions to perceived rejection (known as rejection sensitivity dysphoria or RSD), are common. RSD can cause heightened emotions and lead to withdrawing from others to avoid rejection. Inattentive ADHD may also impact women’s roles as mothers and caregivers. Managing household responsibilities, organizing, and meeting the needs of children and family members can become particularly stressful due to challenges with time management and attention.⁴

Self-Esteem

Women and girls with ADHD often struggle with self-esteem, feeling inadequate or like they aren’t doing enough to meet the demands of work, school, or home life. This persistent belief can contribute to a sense of not being able to keep up, ultimately leading to low self-esteem.

Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety and depression are pretty common in people with ADHD—up to 50% may have an anxiety disorder, and around 18% to 50% may experience a mood disorder.³ For women with ADHD, anxiety often comes from struggling to manage things like staying organized, dealing with impulsive behaviors, or handling intense emotions. On top of that, there’s often outside pressure to keep it all together, which only adds to the stress. Depression can also creep in, especially when you feel like you’re constantly falling short or not meeting expectations. Many women try to hide their symptoms to appear more “put together,” but this often just leads to more pressure and negative self-talk.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’re finding it hard to focus, stay organized, or remember things, and it’s starting to affect your daily life at work, home, or in relationships, it might be time to seek professional help. If these challenges are leading to anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem, talking to a specialist can make a big difference by offering a proper diagnosis and effective coping skills for ADHD tailored just for you.

Grow Therapy is an online therapist directory that offers many detailed filters, which makes it easier to find a therapist who is knowledgeable about ADHD, particularly in women. Alternatively, there are many different online ADHD treatment services that can match you with a therapist who specializes in ADHD treatment. Also, apps such as Inflow offer self-paced programs and resource libraries that can help you learn to manage your ADHD symptoms.

If you want to explore ADHD medication options, Circle Medical offers same-day appointments with a psychiatrist who can explain the different medication options available. They also provide therapy referrals for individuals who want to explore medication and therapy simultaneously.

Free ADHD Worksheets

This collection of six worksheets provides practical tools and strategies for managing ADHD symptoms. Find the one you need or download all of them here.

Setting SMART Goals Download

Creating a Focus Plan Download

Challenging Negativity Download

How to STOP Impulsivity Download

Identifying ADHD Burnout Download

Overcoming Shame Download

Treatment for Inattentive ADHD in Women

When it comes to treating inattentive ADHD in women, it’s usually best to take a well-rounded approach that includes therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. Therapy can be helpful in teaching coping strategies and dealing with the emotional ups and downs that often come with ADHD. It can be helpful to work with a female therapist who has a firsthand understanding of the unique challenges faced by women with ADHD, such as self-esteem issues, societal expectations, and hormonal influences.

Treatment Options for women with inattentive ADHD include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT for ADHD is particularly effective, as it equips women with strategies to cope with the daily challenges of ADHD. CBT can help in developing organizational skills, time management techniques, and methods to reduce procrastination.
• Medication: ADHD medication prescribed by a psychiatrist can help reduce ADHD symptoms, such as inattention and impulsivity, providing women with increased focus, improved concentration, and enhanced cognitive functioning.
• Group therapy and support groups: Participating in group therapy specifically for women with ADHD provides a sense of validation, community, and shared experiences. It offers a supportive environment for discussing challenges, sharing strategies, and building social connections.
• Lifestyle modifications: Implementing healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet, can have a positive impact on ADHD symptoms, overall well-being, and mental health for women.

Underdiagnosis & Misdiagnosis of Inattentive ADHD in Women

One key reason ADHD is often underdiagnosed is that the diagnostic criteria have historically been based on studies conducted on boys and men with ADHD. The criteria emphasize hyperactive and impulsive behaviors, which are more common in males, while overlooking inattentive symptoms that women predominantly exhibit. Additionally, women may be more prone to mask their ADHD symptoms.

Another reason ADHD is often underdiagnosed in women is that they are more prone to mask their ADHD symptoms. Society often expects women to be organized, attentive, and focused, so they may develop coping mechanisms to compensate for their difficulties. Moreover, women may internalize their struggles and attribute them to personal failings, leading to delays in seeking help or an inaccurate perception that their symptoms are not severe enough to warrant a diagnosis.⁵

When women do reach out for help, they often get misdiagnosed. The ups and downs of ADHD symptoms caused by changes in hormones can be mistaken for mood disorders or even premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) because the symptoms are so similar. This mix-up can delay the right treatment for ADHD and lead to less effective results.

The Impact of Women Being Underdiagnosed With ADHD

The underdiagnosis of ADHD in women can significantly impact various aspects of their lives. In the workplace, women with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle to focus, meet deadlines, and organize tasks. In relationships, undiagnosed ADHD can strain communication due to difficulties with attention and emotional regulation. At home, they may struggle with managing household responsibilities and experience heightened feelings of guilt and overwhelm.

For girls with undiagnosed ADHD, the lack of recognition and support can impede their development. They may experience academic difficulties, which can contribute to low self-esteem. Untreated ADHD in girls can also increase anxiety, as they may struggle to meet expectations. Moreover, the toxic stress associated with undiagnosed ADHD can impact girls’ emotional well-being and overall development.