ADHD in Older Women
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a common issue for women in their midlife. Hormonal changes can make the situation worse. They often feel misunderstood by their struggles and feel overwhelmed.
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopausal changes can exacerbate the emotional dysregulation and greater executive functioning issues that can be that are associated with adhd. Exercise, a healthy diet, and finding a therapist who is knowledgeable about adhd could improve your symptoms.
Symptoms
For women, the diagnosis of ADHD may come later in life than it does for men. This is due to many factors, including the fact that women tend to present with more inattentive symptoms than hyperactivity (which can be more easily observed by others) They often develop coping mechanisms to disguise these symptoms and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, perimenopausal and menopausal cycles can increase symptoms.
Women with ADD/ADHD tend to appear absent in conversations. This can make it hard for them to interact with other people and can increase their impulsivity or lack of attention. Unhealthy coping behaviors, such as shopping, watching TV (especially reality TV) and eating too much, are also common in women with ADHD or ADD. Having trouble remembering names is another common sign of ADHD in women, which can be made worse by a myriad of factors particularly those connected to age, health, and menopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD are also at an increased risk of developing depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD also have greater chance of developing other mental health conditions, including eating disorders, tics, fibromyalgia and PTSD. It is essential to treat these disorders in order to control and alleviate symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
Women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to have difficulty getting good quality sleep compared to other adults. This can cause exhaustion, which can worsen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Lack of sleep or a lack of quality sleep can make it harder to focus on school, work or household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people mistakenly use the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" interchangeably, but sexuality refers to biology while gender is a social concept that is assigned at birth based on an individual's internal sense of self as male female, male, or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexual preference as well as genital anatomy and the chromosomal makeup.
Regardless of whether you have ADHD or ADD, a lot of the same tips for improving your sleep and reducing stress can be applied. You can improve your focus and sleep by engaging in regular exercise, performing meditation or deep breathing exercises, and creating a healthy sleeping routine.
Treatment
Women with ADHD face particular challenges when seeking treatment. It is sometimes difficult to identify symptoms in the individual, and it could be more difficult to access the assistance they require. They are also more likely to conceal their ADHD symptoms. They are therefore more likely to receive an early diagnosis and receive less effective treatment than men.
The difficulties of ADHD may be exacerbated due to hormonal changes that happen during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles. Dips in estrogen and progesterone can increase the executive functioning and emotional problems that often come with ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that occur with aging can also trigger cognitive decline that mimics ADHD symptoms. It is therefore essential to make sure that health professionals can differentiate between normal signs of aging, and ADHD symptoms.
There are a myriad of treatment options available for people who suffer from ADHD. These include lifestyle changes and medication. A good night's sleep by establishing a bedtime routine and avoiding screens before going to bed, and eating a regular diet can help improve sleep quality. Exercise is also important, and many people who suffer from ADHD find that meditative or yoga helps them relax. It's important to talk to your doctor about which treatments are right for you.
Some people who suffer from ADHD may benefit from joining a group of support. These groups provide a safe space to discuss the issues that arise in work, relationships and other areas when you have ADHD. Women who have ADHD could benefit from either individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to assist you in accepting your thoughts and emotions, while replacing negative thought patterns with healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It will help you understand the reason you've been struggling and give you a framework to help you improve your life. Many people choose to work with coaches who can teach them behavior strategies and help them establish goals for their lives.
Self-help
There is a wide variety of professional treatments for ADHD however, you can improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These strategies can include self-discipline techniques, lifestyle modifications, and therapy or counseling. Many people suffering from ADHD employ stress management techniques, home and work accommodations, and nutrition changes into their daily routines. It is important to speak with a healthcare professional before commencing any of these techniques to ensure they are suitable for you and will meet your individual needs.
One of the biggest challenges for women suffering from undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it has on their relationships as well as family members. The misinterpretation and criticism of spouses, partners and coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms such as inattention, missing appointments, and impulsive decision-making can cause frustration to the most tolerant family members. Couples therapy and classes that focus on communication and conflict resolution can be helpful.
Some people who have ADHD have anxiety and depression which can cause ADHD symptoms. Some women also develop non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury, which could take the form of cutting, burning, or scratching. NSSI is a potentially dangerous symptom, which is usually caused by untreated ADHD. It is essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Women suffering from ADHD may also develop feelings of self-pity or shame when they are misunderstood by others. This can cause depression, self-esteem issues, and a lack of motivation. A support system that can understand these struggles and teach you how to overcome them can make all the difference in the quality of your life.
ADHD symptoms can be affected by the different levels of estrogen in pregnancy, menstrual cycle, and perimenopausal. Some women notice that their symptoms get worse during these times and require more medication to manage the symptoms. Talk to add women about hormone replacement therapy. This can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD and regulate the body's production of estrogen. An ADHD coach can also assist you in developing a customized strategy to reach your goals and feel more in control of the day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The genetic makeup of a person's DNA - their chromosomal characteristics - determines the risk of developing certain disorders, like ADHD. Several different studies have reported that genetic connections exist between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer, coronary heart disease, parents' age at death and demographics like the number of children in a family, age of the first child born and sex at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD shares a genetic basis with these conditions, and that there are common neurobiological processes that connect the two conditions.
Women with ADHD may develop coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms. This can make it difficult to identify and treat them. Masking may mean investing all their energy into their work, avoiding their problems from their loved ones or altering their behavior to conform to social expectations. Certain of these strategies may be beneficial, but others are not. They can lead to feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
Additionally mothers and women are frequently required to look after their children due to social and family expectations. Expectations that are higher and self-esteem issues and the difficulties that come with ADHD can cause anxiety and depression. These emotions can trigger or exacerbate symptoms of ADHD, like mood fluctuation, feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.
Some women notice that their symptoms become worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or during perimenopause and menopause, when estrogen decreases. This could be due to the fact the decrease in estrogen can cause dopamine and seletonin levels to drop and make ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women say that their ADHD diagnosis as a "lightbulb" moment. They are happy to finally understand the reason for their issues, and can now seek support and treatment. In certain instances the diagnosis can allow them to forgive themselves for the misfortunes that they have experienced in their lives because of their ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just biology. It can be difficult to separate biological differences between men and women from socially constructed differences in gender. This article applies to females and people who were assigned female at birth, regardless of their gender identity.