ADHD in Older Women
Many women* in midlife struggle with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD caused by hormonal changes. Many women report feeling unappreciated and overwhelmed by their struggles.
Hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause and menopausal changes can exacerbate the emotional dysregulation, and can cause greater executive functioning difficulties that are associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet and finding an therapist who is familiar with adhd can improve your symptoms.
Symptoms
For women, a diagnosis of ADHD can be more late in life than it does for men. This is due to a number of factors, such as the fact that women typically exhibit more apathy than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily recognized by other people) They also create coping mechanisms to hide these symptoms, as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy and perimenopausal.
People with ADD/ADHD are often disoriented during conversations. This can make it difficult to connect with other people and can increase their impulsivity or lack of attention. Insane coping strategies like shopping, TV watching (especially reality shows) and eating too much, are also common in women with ADD/ADHD. Another common symptom of ADHD is having trouble remembering names. This can be exacerbated in a variety of ways as well as by health issues, aging and menopause.
Women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to experience depression than men. Furthermore, women who suffer from ADD/ADHD are more likely to suffer from a myriad of other medical conditions and mental health disorders like tics, eating disorders as well as fibromyalgia and PTSD. It is essential to treat these issues to manage and lessen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
It can also be more difficult for women with ADD/ADHD to get enough sleep than other adults. This can result in fatigue, which can cause more symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Lack of sleep or a lack of quality sleep can make it harder to focus on work, school or household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people use the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" interchangeably, however sexuality refers to biology while gender is a social construct assigned at birth based on a person's inner self-perception of being male female, nonbinary, or male. Gender is distinct from a person's sexual preference, genital anatomy, and chromosomal makeup.
No matter if you suffer from ADD/ADHD or not, many of the same suggestions for improving your sleep and reducing stress can be applied. Regular exercise, meditation or deep breathing exercises, and establishing a healthy sleeping routine can help you achieve better sleep and improve your ability to focus.
Treatment
Women with ADHD have their own unique challenges when seeking treatment for their condition. It can be difficult for women with ADHD to recognize their symptoms and receive the help that they need. They are more likely to mask ADHD symptoms. They are therefore more likely to receive an early diagnosis and receive less effective treatment than men.
The challenges of ADHD are often exacerbated by hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause. Dips in estrogen and progesterone can exacerbate the emotional dysregulation and executive functioning issues that are common to ADHD. In addition, the changes in blood flow associated with aging can trigger a cognitive declines that are similar to ADHD symptoms. It's therefore important that health care providers distinguish between normal signs of aging, and ADHD symptoms.
There are a variety of treatment options for people with ADHD, including lifestyle changes and medications. Making sure you are practicing good sleep hygiene such as establishing a routine for bedtime and avoiding screens before going to bed, and eating a regular diet will improve the quality of sleep. Exercise is essential. Many people with ADHD discover that meditation or yoga can help them relax. It is important to speak with your doctor about what treatments are appropriate for you.
Certain people suffering from ADHD may benefit by joining a group of support. These groups provide the opportunity to talk in a safe environment about the issues you face in your relationships at work, in your relationships, and in other aspects of your life when you're ADHD. Women with ADHD may benefit from either individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching strategies to deal with their ADHD. Therapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you accept your thoughts and feelings, while changing your negative thoughts for healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It will help you understand the reason you've struggled and can provide you a plan for improving your life. Some people opt to work with an expert coach who can assist them to learn behavioral strategies and develop goals for their life.
Self-help
There's a broad variety of professional treatments for ADHD, you can also improve your condition by taking steps to manage it. These strategies may include self-discipline, lifestyle changes or therapy. Many people suffering from ADHD also implement stress management strategies as well as home and work adjustments, and changes to their diet into their daily routines. It is important to speak with a doctor prior to starting any of these methods to ensure that they are suitable for you and will meet all of your specific needs.
One of the biggest challenges for women with undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it has on their relationships as well as family members. The misinterpretation and criticism of partners, spouses and coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, missed appointments, and impulsive decision-making can also be frustrating to even the most tolerant family members. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on communication and conflict resolution can help.
Some people with ADHD also struggle with depression and anxiety which can worsen ADHD symptoms. Some women may also develop non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury, which can be in the form of cutting, burning or scratching. NSSI is extremely dangerous and is usually a symptom of untreated ADHD, so it is crucial to talk with your healthcare professional regarding any concerns you may have.
It is also normal for women suffering from ADHD to experience feelings of depression, shame or self-pity when they are ignored or disregarded by other people. This can lead to low self-esteem, procrastination and a lack motivation. A support system that can understand these issues and teaches you how to deal with them can make a huge impact on your life.
The different levels of estrogen during pregnancy, menstrual cycles, and perimenopausal cycles can affect your ADHD symptoms. Certain women experience symptoms worsen during these times and require additional medication to manage them. Consult your physician about hormone replacement therapy. This could help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and help regulate your body's production levels of estrogen. A ADHD coach can also assist you in establishing a specific strategy to reach your goals and feel more in control of the day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The chromosomal makeup of a person determines the risk of having certain disorders, including ADHD. Many studies have shown that genetic links exist between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer and coronary heart disease. parents who died, and demographics, such as number of children in a household, the age of the first child born, and sex at birth. These results suggest that ADHD is a genetic condition that has a connection with these diseases and that there are also common neurobiological mechanisms linking the two conditions.
Women who have ADHD might develop strategies for coping to hide their symptoms, which can make it harder to diagnose and treated. Masking may mean investing all their energy in their job, hiding their troubles from their family members or altering their behavior in order to satisfy social expectations. Some of these strategies can be healthy, but some aren't. They can result in feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
In addition, societal and family expectations can put the burden of taking care of women and mothers. A higher expectation and low self-esteem and the difficulties that come with ADHD can lead to depression and anxiety. These feelings can trigger or worsen symptoms associated with ADHD like mood fluctuations, feelings of inadequate and anxiety.
Certain women experience symptoms become worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or during menopausal perimenopausal periods when estrogen levels drop. This could be due to the fact that the decline in estrogen causes dopamine and serotonin levels to decrease and can make symptoms of ADHD worse.
Many women report their ADHD diagnosis as an "lightbulb moment." They are often relieved that they finally have a rational explanation for their issues and are able to seek help and assistance. In some instances, the diagnosis allows the patient to be able to forgive herself for the mishaps she's experienced in her life due to her ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is more than just biology and it can be difficult to separate the biological differences between males and women from socially constructed gender differences. signs and symptoms of adhd in women applies to all women and people assigned female at birth regardless of their confirmed gender identity.