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 are overwhelmed.
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopausal changes can exacerbate the emotional dysregulation and greater executive functioning problems that are that are associated with adhd. Exercise, a healthy diet, and seeking out a therapist familiar with adhd can improve your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
Women can be diagnosed with ADHD later in the course of their lives. This is due to a variety of factors, such as the fact that women are more likely to exhibit more inattention than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily noticed by other people), they create coping mechanisms to hide these symptoms, as well as hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and perimenopausal.
Being aloof in conversations is a common characteristic of women suffering from ADD/ADHD. This makes it difficult for them to connect socially and can exacerbate problems with impulsivity and inattention. People with ADD/ADHD are susceptible to unhealthy coping strategies such as shopping, watching TV (especially reality shows) or overeating. Another common sign of ADHD is having trouble remembering names. This can be aggravated by a variety of factors, including by health issues, aging, and menopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD also have an increased risk of developing depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD also have greater risk of developing other mental health issues, such as eating disorders, tics as well as fibromyalgia, PTSD. To lessen and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD it is crucial to treat any underlying issues.
Women with ADD/ADHD have a harder time getting enough sleep, especially in comparison to other adults. This can cause exhaustion, which can aggravate symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Sleep deprivation or lack of quality can make it more difficult to focus on work, school, or household chores.
Verywell Health notes that many people are confused by "gender" with "ADD/ADHD". However the sex of a person is a matter of biology and gender is a social construct based on a person’s internal sense of their gender as male, female or nonbinary. Gender is different from a person’s sexual orientation, genital anatomies, and chromosomal make-up.
Whether you have ADD/ADHD, or not, there are many strategies that can help you improve your sleep and ease stress. Getting regular exercise, practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises, and establishing a healthy sleep routine can help you get better sleep and improve your ability to focus.
Treatment
Women who suffer from ADHD face particular difficulties when seeking treatment. It is sometimes difficult to identify symptoms in the individual, and it could be more difficult to get the assistance they require. They are more likely to mask ADHD symptoms. As a result, they are more likely to receive late diagnoses and less likely to receive treatment in the same way as men.
The challenges of ADHD can be made more difficult by hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause. Drops in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can exacerbate emotional dysregulation, and executive functioning issues are often associated with ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that happen with aging may also cause cognitive decline, which can mimic ADHD symptoms. It's therefore important to make sure that health professionals can differentiate between a normal aspect of aging and ADHD symptoms.
There are many treatments available to people with ADHD. These include lifestyle changes as well as medication. Good sleep hygiene includes setting a routine prior to bedtime, avoiding screen-time and eating regularly can help you sleep better. Exercise is also essential for those who suffer from ADHD find that meditative or yoga helps them relax. It is important to speak with your doctor about the treatments that are appropriate for you.
Some people who suffer from ADHD might benefit by joining a group of support. These groups can provide an environment where you can talk about the issues that arise in relationships, work and other areas of your life when you have ADHD. Women who have ADHD may also benefit from individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching them strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Therapy may also include cognitive behavior therapy, which can help you accept your thoughts and feelings while changing negative thoughts for healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD is a life-changing moment for women. It can help you to discover the reason you've been struggling and provide you with the framework to improve your life. Some people also choose to engage an expert coach who can teach them behavior strategies and help them set goals for their lives.
Self-help
There's a broad selection of professional treatment options for ADHD, you can also improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These strategies may include self-discipline, lifestyle modifications therapy, counseling, or both. Many people suffering from ADHD also implement stress management strategies as well as home and work accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. It is important to speak with a doctor prior to beginning any of these strategies to ensure they are suitable for you and will meet all of your specific requirements.
One of the major issues for women suffering from undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it can have on their relationships as well as family members. Misunderstandings and criticisms from spouses, partners and colleagues are not uncommon. ADHD symptoms such as absence, forgetfulness and impulsive decisions can also be frustrating to even the most understanding family members. Couples therapy and classes that focus on conflict resolution and communication can help.
Some people with ADHD are also afflicted by anxiety and depression which can worsen ADHD symptoms. In addition, some women suffer from non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which could be characterized as scratching, burning, or cutting. NSSI is extremely risky and is often an symptom of untreated ADHD, so it is essential to talk to your doctor about any concerns you have.
It is also normal for women with ADHD to experience feelings of depression, shame, or self-pity after being disregarded or criticized by others. This can result in a lack of motivation, procrastination, and low self-esteem. A support system that understands the struggles you face and teaches you how to manage them can make a big impact on your life.
ADHD symptoms can be influenced by different levels of estrogen in menstrual cycle, pregnancy and perimenopausal. Some women experience worsening symptoms during these periods and require more medication to manage their symptoms. Talk to your healthcare professional about the possibility of a hormone replacement therapy to help manage your body's natural production estrogen and decrease the symptoms of ADHD. A ADHD coach can assist you in developing a customized strategy to achieve your goals and feel confident in control of the day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The genetic DNA of a person - their chromosomal traits - determines their risk for developing certain disorders, like ADHD. Numerous studies have proven that there are genetic links between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer, coronary artery disease, parents' ages at death, and demographics such as the number of children, age of the first born and gender at birth. These results suggest that ADHD is a genetic condition that has a connection with these conditions and that there are also common neurobiological processes that connect the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms. This can make it difficult to identify and treat them. Masking may mean investing adhd in young women into their job, hiding their issues from their loved ones or changing their behavior in order to satisfy social expectations. Some of these strategies could be healthy, however some are not. They can leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
Additionally, social and family expectations often put the burden of caring for mothers and women. The combination of higher 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 feelings to trigger or worsen ADHD symptoms, like mood fluctuations and feelings of inadequateness.
Some women notice that their symptoms become worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or during menopausal perimenopausal periods, when estrogen decreases. This is probably due to the the diminution in estrogen can cause dopamine and seletonin levels to decrease which can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women report their ADHD diagnosis as being a "lightbulb moment." They often feel at peace knowing that they have an external explanation for their issues and are able to seek help and treatment. In some instances, the diagnosis can allow the woman to accept the mistakes she has made in her life because of her ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just biology. It can be challenging to discern gender differences between women and men from socially constructed differences in gender. This article is applicable to all women as well as those born female regardless of their confirmed gender identity.