ADHD in Older Women
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a common problem among women* in their midlife. Hormonal changes can make the issue worse. They are often misunderstood by their struggles and overwhelmed.
The hormonal fluctuations that accompany perimenopausal or menopausal change can increase emotional dysregulation, and executive dysfunction that is associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet and working with an adhd-specific therapist can help alleviate your symptoms.
Symptoms
Women may be diagnosed with ADHD later in the course of their lives. This is due to several factors, such as the fact that women tend to exhibit more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which can be more easily spotted by others) In addition, they tend to develop coping mechanisms to mask these symptoms and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, perimenopausal and menopausal cycles can increase symptoms.
Being aloof in conversations is a typical symptom for women with ADD/ADHD. This can make it hard to communicate with others and may increase their impulsivity and inattention. People with ADD/ADHD are more prone to unhealthy coping habits such as shopping or watching television (especially reality shows) or overeating. Having trouble remembering names is a common indication of ADHD in women, which can be caused by a myriad of factors that are connected to health, aging, or menopause.
Women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to struggle with depression than men. In addition, women with ADD/ADHD are more prone to a variety of other medical conditions and mental health disorders such as tics, eating disorders as well as fibromyalgia and PTSD. It is crucial to treat these conditions in order to manage and reduce symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
Women with ADD/ADHD also are more likely to have difficulty getting good quality sleep as compared to other adults. This can result in exhaustion, which can worsen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Sleep deprivation or lack of quality can make it harder to stay focused on work, school, or household chores.
Verywell Health notes that many people confuse "gender" with "ADD/ADHD". However sexuality is a biological phenomenon and gender is a social construct that is based on the person's own internal view of their gender as male, female or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexual orientation as well as genital anatomy and chromosomal makeup.
Whether you have ADD/ADHD, or not, there are many tips that can help improve sleep and reduce stress. You can improve your sleep and focus by getting regular exercise, doing meditation or deep breathing exercises, and creating a healthy sleeping routine.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD have unique issues when seeking treatment. It can be challenging for those suffering from ADHD to identify their symptoms and receive the help that they need. They are also more likely to conceal their ADHD symptoms. This means that they are more likely to receive late diagnoses and less likely to be treated with the same efficiency as men.
The challenges of ADHD can be made more difficult by hormonal changes that occur during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles. Drops in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can exacerbate emotional dysregulation, and executive functioning issues that are often linked to ADHD. Additionally, the changes in blood flow that occur with aging can trigger a cognitive declines that resemble ADHD symptoms. It's crucial to make sure that health professionals can differentiate between a normal part of aging, and ADHD symptoms.
There are many treatments available to people who suffer from ADHD. These include lifestyle changes as well as medication. A good night's sleep - setting a bedtime routine and avoiding time spent on screens prior to bed, and eating a regular diet will improve the quality of sleep. Exercise is crucial. Many people with ADHD find that meditation or yoga helps them relax. It is important to talk with your doctor to determine the best treatment for you.
Some people with ADHD may benefit from joining a group of support. These groups offer a safe place to discuss the difficulties you encounter in your relationships at work, in your relationships, and in other aspects of your life when you are ADHD. Women who have ADHD may benefit from either individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to help you accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing negative thought patterns with healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It can help you understand why you've struggled and give you a plan for improving your life. Some people opt to work with an expert coach who can help them develop strategies for coping with stress and set goals for their lives.
Self-help
There is a wide range of professional treatments for ADHD, you can also improve your condition by taking steps to manage it. These methods could include self-discipline, lifestyle changes, therapy, or counseling. Many people with ADHD also incorporate stress management techniques, work and home life adjustments, and changes to their diet into their daily routines. It is essential to consult with a doctor prior to starting any of these methods to ensure they are safe for you and address all of your specific needs.
One of the main challenges for women with undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it has on their relationships as well as family members. Misunderstandings and criticism from spouses, partners, and coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, absence of appointments, and making impulsive decisions can also strain the patience of even the most understanding family members. Couples therapy and classes that focus on conflict resolution and communication can be helpful.
Some people with ADHD have depression and anxiety, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Women may also experience non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury, which may take the form of burning, cutting or scratching. NSSI is a potentially dangerous symptom that is often caused by untreated ADHD. It is crucial to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
Women who suffer from ADHD can also experience feelings of shame or self-pity when they are viewed as a victim by other people. This can cause lack of motivation, procrastination, and a low self-esteem. Having a support system that can understand these struggles and help you manage them can make all the difference to your quality of life.
The different levels of estrogen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopausal cycles can have an effect on your ADHD symptoms. Women who suffer from worsening symptoms during these cycles and require additional medication to treat their symptoms. Talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. This therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD and control the body's production of estrogen. A ADHD coach can assist you in establishing a specific strategy to reach your goals and feel confident in control of the day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The the chromosomal makeup of an individual determines the risk of developing certain disorders including ADHD. attention deficit in women have reported that genetic connections exist between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer or coronary heart disease. parents who died and demographics like the number of children in a family, age of the child who was born first and the gender of the child at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD shares a genetic basis with these conditions and that there are common neurobiological mechanisms linking the two conditions.
Women suffering from ADHD might develop coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms. This can make it difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat them. Masking could mean investing all their energy in their job, hiding their troubles from their family and friends, or changing behaviors in order to satisfy social expectations. Some of these methods are healthy, however others aren't and could result in a feeling of being overwhelmed and exhausted.
In addition, mothers and women are frequently expected to take care of their children due to societal and family expectations. The combination of high expectations, low self-esteem, and the challenges of living with ADHD can be the perfect recipe for anxiety and depression. These emotions can trigger or intensify symptoms associated with ADHD like mood swings, feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.
Some women notice that their symptoms are worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or during perimenopause and menopause as estrogen levels decrease. This could be due to the fact that the diminution in estrogen can cause seletonin and dopamine levels to decrease and make ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women say that their ADHD diagnosis as a "lightbulb" moment. They feel relieved to finally understand the reason for their problems and are now able to seek help and therapy. In some cases, 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 females from socially constructed gender differences. This article applies to females and people who were designated female at birth regardless of their gender identity.