ADHD in Older Women
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a common issue among women* in their midlife. Hormonal changes can make the situation worse. They often feel misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles.
Hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopausal and menopause amplify the emotional dysregulation and greater executive functioning issues that can be caused by adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet and finding a therapist familiar with adhd can help alleviate your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
For women, a diagnosis of ADHD could be later in life than it does for men. This is due to a variety of factors, such as the fact that women tend present with more inattentive than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily recognized by others), they create coping mechanisms to hide these symptoms, and also hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and perimenopausal.
People with ADD/ADHD are often distant during conversations. This can make it difficult to connect with others and can worsen their impulsivity and inattention. Insane coping strategies like shopping, TV watching (especially reality TV), and overeating, are also common in women suffering from ADHD or ADD. The difficulty in remembering names is another common sign of ADHD for women. This can be caused by a variety of circumstances that are that have to do with health, aging, and menopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD are also more likely to suffer from depression than men. In addition, women with ADD/ADHD are more prone to a variety of other mental health disorders, including eating disorders, tics, fibromyalgia, and PTSD. To reduce and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD it is important to treat any underlying conditions.
It can be difficult for women suffering from ADD/ADHD to get enough sleep than other adults. This can cause exhaustion which can exacerbate symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Sleep deprivation or lack of quality can make it harder to stay focused on school, work, or household chores.
Verywell Health notes that many people are confused by "gender" with "ADD/ADHD". However sexuality is a biological phenomenon and gender is a social construct that is based on a person’s internal sense of their gender as male, female or non-binary. Gender is different from a person's sexual preference as well as genital anatomies and chromosomal make-up.
Whatever your condition, whether you have ADD/ADHD or not, many of the same strategies for improving your sleep and reducing stress can be applied. You can improve your sleep and focus by getting regular exercise, doing meditation or deep breathing exercises and making a healthy sleep routine.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD face particular challenges when seeking treatment. It is sometimes difficult to spot symptoms within themselves, and can be more difficult to get the assistance they require. They are also more likely to mask their ADHD symptoms. As a result, they are more likely to receive later diagnosis and less likely to receive treatment as effectively as men.
The difficulties of ADHD may be exacerbated because of hormonal changes that happen during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles. The decrease in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can lead to an increase in emotional dysregulation and executive functioning issues are often linked to ADHD. Additionally, the changes in blood flow that occur with aging may cause cognitive decline that mimics ADHD symptoms. This is why it's important for health care providers to recognize the differences between a normal part of aging and real ADHD symptoms.
There are a variety of treatments available to people who suffer from ADHD. These include lifestyle changes as well as medication. A good sleep hygiene routine like establishing a routine before bed, avoiding screens and eating a regular diet, can improve sleep. Exercise is also important for those with ADHD find that meditation or yoga helps them relax. It is essential to speak to your doctor about what treatments are best for you.
Some people who suffer from ADHD may benefit from joining a group of support. These groups provide the opportunity to talk in a safe environment about the difficulties that arise in work, relationships and other areas when you suffer from ADHD. Women who suffer from ADHD can also benefit from participating in group or individual therapy which focuses on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing negative thinking patterns with more positive ones.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing event for women. It can help you to understand why you have been struggling and give you an opportunity to improve your life. navigate here choose to collaborate with a coach who can guide them through behavioral strategies and help them set goals for their lives.
Self-help
There's a broad range of professional treatments for ADHD and other disorders, you can improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These strategies may include self-discipline and lifestyle changes, therapy, or counseling. Many people suffering from ADHD incorporate stress management techniques as well as work and home accommodations, and nutrition changes into their daily routines. It is important to speak with a doctor prior to starting any of these methods to ensure they are safe for you and address your individual needs.
One of the biggest challenges for women suffering from undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it can have on their relationships as well as family members. Disagreements and criticisms from spouses, partners and colleagues are not uncommon. ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, absence of appointments, and impulsive choices can also strain the patience of even the most understanding loved ones. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on communication and conflict resolution can help.
Certain people with ADHD are also afflicted by anxiety and depression which can cause ADHD symptoms. Women may also experience non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury that can be in the form of cutting, burning or scratching. NSSI can be extremely risky and is often a symptom of untreated ADHD, so it is important to speak with your healthcare professional regarding any concerns you may have.
It is also normal for women with ADHD to develop feelings of shame, depression, or self-pity after being misunderstood or dismissed by other people. This can result in a lack of motivation, procrastination and a low self-esteem. A support system that can understand the struggles you face and teaches you to manage them can make a big difference in your life.
ADHD symptoms are influenced by different levels of estrogen in menstrual cycle, pregnancy and perimenopause. Certain women experience symptoms become more severe during these times and require additional medication to control the symptoms. Consider talking with your doctor about the possibility of a hormone replacement therapy to regulate the body's natural production of estrogen and reduce the symptoms of ADHD. A ADHD coach can also assist you in establishing a specific strategy to reach your goals and feel more in control of your day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The genetic DNA makeup of a person's genome - their chromosomal traits - determines the risk of developing certain disorders, like ADHD. Several different studies have reported that genetic links exist between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer and coronary heart disease. parents' age at death and demographics, such as number of children in a household, the age of the first child born and sex at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD has a genetic connection with these conditions, and that there are also common neurobiological mechanisms that link the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms, which can make it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated. This can include putting all their energy into their work, avoiding their issues from family members, or changing their behaviors in order to conform to the expectations of society. Some of these strategies can be beneficial, but others aren't. They can leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
In addition, social expectations and family expectations often place the burden of caring for mothers and women. The combination of increased expectations, low self-esteem, and the difficulties 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, including mood fluctuations and feelings of inadequateness.
Women may experience more severe symptoms during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal symptoms when estrogen levels decrease. This could be due to the the decrease in estrogen causes seletonin and dopamine levels to drop which can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women have described their ADHD diagnoses as a "lightbulb" moment. They feel relieved to finally have an explanation for their struggles, and can now seek support and treatment. In some cases the diagnosis allows the patient to be able to forgive herself for the mishaps she's experienced in her life because of her ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is more than just biology and it is often difficult to distinguish the biological gender differences between males and females from socially constructed gender differences. This article is applicable to all women and those assigned female at birth regardless of their confirmed gender identity.