ADHD in Older Women
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a common issue for women in their midlife years. Hormonal changes can make the problem worse. They often feel misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles.
Hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause and menopause amplify the emotional dysregulation and increase executive functioning problems that are associated with adhd. Exercise, a healthy diet and working with an adhd-specific therapist can ease your symptoms.
Symptoms
For women, a diagnosis of ADHD could be later in life than for men. This is due to a variety of factors, such as the fact that women are more likely to present with more inattentive symptoms than hyperactivity (which can be more easily noticed by other people), they often develop coping mechanisms to mask these symptoms and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, perimenopausal and menopausal changes can intensify symptoms.
Women with ADD/ADHD tend to appear disoriented during conversations. This makes it difficult to make connections with others and can lead to problems with impulsivity and inattention. Unhealthy coping behaviors such as shopping, TV watching (especially reality shows), and overeating are also common among women suffering from ADD/ADHD. Another common sign of ADHD is having trouble remembering names. This can be aggravated in a number of ways such as health issues, aging, and menopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD are also more likely to experience depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD also have a higher risk of developing other mental health conditions, including eating disorders, tics and fibromyalgia. PTSD. To reduce and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, it is essential to treat any underlying condition.
It is also harder for women with ADD/ADHD get good quality sleep than other adults. This can lead to exhaustion, which can aggravate symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Sleep deficient or of poor quality can also make it harder to concentrate at work, in school, or on household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people mistakenly use the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" interchangeably, but the term "sex" refers to biology while gender is a social construct assigned at birth based on an individual's internal perception of themselves as male female, male, or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person’s sexual orientation as well as genital anatomies and chromosomal make-up.
Whatever your condition, whether you have ADHD or ADD, many of the same suggestions for improving your sleep and reducing stress apply. You can improve your focus and sleep by engaging in regular exercise, doing meditation or deep breathing exercises and making a healthy sleep routine.
Treatment
Women with ADHD face particular issues when seeking treatment. It may be harder to recognize symptoms in themselves, and can be more difficult for them to receive the assistance they require. They are also more likely to hide their ADHD symptoms. They are also more likely to receive an early diagnosis and receive less effective treatment than men.
The difficulties of ADHD can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that are associated with menopausal and perimenopausal. The fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can increase the emotional dysregulation and executive functioning problems that often come with ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that happen with aging may also cause cognitive decline, which can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore, it's important for health care providers to be aware of the distinction between the natural occurrences of aging and genuine ADHD symptoms.
There are adhd symptoms in women test of treatment options for people with ADHD that include lifestyle changes and medication. Making sure you are practicing good sleep hygiene such as establishing a routine for bedtime, avoiding screen time before bed and eating regular meals - can improve sleep quality. Exercise is important. Many people with ADHD find that yoga or meditation helps them relax. You should talk to your doctor to determine the most effective treatment for you.
Some people with ADHD might benefit from joining a group of support. These groups provide the opportunity to talk in a safe environment about the issues that arise in relationships, work and other areas of life when you have ADHD. Women with ADHD might also benefit from participating in group or individual therapy which focuses on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Therapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you learn to accept your thoughts and feelings, while changing negative thoughts for healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It can help you to discover the reason you've been struggling and give you the framework to improve your life. Some people also opt to work with an expert coach who can help them learn behavior strategies and help them set goals for their lives.
Self-help
You can improve your condition by managing it. There are a variety of professional treatment options for ADHD. These strategies could include self-discipline techniques, lifestyle modifications, and therapy or counseling. Many people suffering from ADHD incorporate stress management techniques such as home and work arrangements, and nutrition changes into their daily schedules. It is essential to consult with a medical professional prior to commencing any of these techniques to ensure that they are safe for you and meet all of your specific requirements.
The negative impact on family and relationships is a major issue for women with undiagnosed ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Disregard and mistrust from spouses as well as coworkers are not uncommon. ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, late appointments, and impulsive decisions can also strain the patience of even the most understanding loved ones. Couples therapy classes that focus on conflict resolution and communication, and other techniques can help.
Certain people with ADHD have anxiety and depression which can cause ADHD symptoms. In addition, some women suffer from non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which can be characterized as scratching, burning, or cutting. NSSI can be very dangerous and is often an indication of untreated ADHD, so it is essential to talk to your doctor about any concerns you have.
Women suffering from ADHD can also experience feelings of self-pity or shame when they are misunderstood by others. This can cause lack of motivation, procrastination, and low self-esteem. Supporting a person who can recognize these issues and teach you how to cope with them can make all the difference to your quality of life.
ADHD symptoms can be affected by the different levels of estrogen in pregnancy, menstrual cycle, and perimenopause. Certain women experience more severe symptoms during these cycles and require additional medication to manage their symptoms. Consider talking with your doctor about the possibility of a hormone replacement therapy to help manage your body's natural production estrogen and lessen the symptoms of ADHD. Lastly An ADHD coach can assist you to create a specific strategy to meet your goals and feel more in control of your day-today tasks.
Genetics
The chromosomal makeup of a person determines the risk for certain disorders including ADHD. Numerous studies have revealed that genetic links exist between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer, coronary heart disease, parents' age at death and demographics, such as number of children in a family, the age of the child who was born first, and sex at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD has a common genetic basis with these disorders, and they also suggest that there are common neurobiological factors that link the two conditions.
Women suffering from ADHD may develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms. This can make it difficult to identify and treat them. This could include putting all their energy into their work, avoiding their issues from family members or changing their behavior in order to conform to the expectations of society. Some of these strategies are healthy, but others aren't and could result in a feeling of being overwhelmed and exhausted.
In addition, societal and family expectations can put the burden of taking care of mothers and women. The combination of increased expectations, low self-esteem, and the challenges of living with ADHD can be the perfect recipe for depression and anxiety. It is not unusual for these emotions to trigger or worsen ADHD symptoms, like mood shifts and feelings of unworthiness.
Certain women experience symptoms worsen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles, when estrogen decreases. This is likely due to the the decrease in estrogen causes seletonin and dopamine levels to drop and make ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women describe their ADHD diagnosis as a "lightbulb" moment. They feel relieved to finally have a reason for their struggles and are now able to seek support and treatment. In certain cases the diagnosis can allow people to accept the misfortunes that they have experienced in their lives because of their ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is more than just biology and it can be difficult to separate the biological gender differences between males and females from gender-based differences that are constructed by society. This article applies to females and those who were deemed female at birth regardless of their gender identity.