ADHD in Older Women
Many women* in middle age suffer from undiagnosed and untreated ADHD caused by hormonal changes. Many women report feeling unappreciated and overwhelmed by their struggles.
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopausal changes can exacerbate the emotional dysregulation and greater executive functioning issues that can be associated with adhd. Exercise, a healthy diet, and seeking out an adhd-specific therapist can help alleviate your symptoms.
Symptoms
Women may be diagnosed with ADHD later in life. This is due to many reasons, including the fact that women tend to have more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which is more easily spotted by other people) In addition, they tend to develop coping mechanisms that mask these symptoms and hormonal changes during pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause can amplify symptoms.
Being aloof in conversations is a common symptom for women with ADHD or ADD. This can make 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 and watching television (especially reality shows) or eating too much. Having trouble remembering names is another typical sign of ADHD in women, which can be caused by a variety of situations particularly those that have to do with health, aging, and menopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD are also at a higher risk of depression than men. In addition, women with ADD/ADHD are more susceptible to various other mental health disorders, including eating disorders, tics as well as fibromyalgia and PTSD. In order to reduce and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD it is essential to treat any underlying issues.
Women with ADD/ADHD also suffer from difficulty getting good quality sleep in comparison to other adults. This can cause exhaustion, which can worsen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Insufficient or poor quality sleep can make it harder to focus at work, at the classroom, or in household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people use the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" interchangeably, but the term "sex" refers to biology while gender is a social construct that is assigned at birth based on the person's internal perception of themselves as male, female, or nonbinary. Gender is different from a person’s sexual orientation or genital anatomy, as well as the chromosomal makeup.
Whether you have ADD/ADHD, or not, there are plenty of strategies that can help you improve your sleep and decrease stress. Engaging in regular exercise, doing meditation or deep breathing exercises, and creating a healthy sleep routine can help you get better sleep and improve your ability to focus.
Treatment
Women who suffer from ADHD have different experiences when it comes to seeking treatment for their condition. It may be harder to recognize symptoms in themselves, and it can be more difficult to get the help they need. They are also more likely to mask their ADHD symptoms. They are also more likely to get a diagnosis later and receive less effective treatment than males.
The challenges of ADHD may be exacerbated due to hormonal changes that occur during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles. The decrease in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can exacerbate emotional dysregulation and executive functioning issues that are often associated with ADHD. Additionally, the changes in blood flow associated with aging can trigger a cognitive declines that are similar to ADHD symptoms. It is therefore essential that health care providers distinguish between a normal part of aging, and ADHD symptoms.
There are a variety of treatment options for people with ADHD that include lifestyle changes and medication. Good sleep hygiene, such as establishing a routine before the bedtime, not using screens during the night, and eating regular meals can help you sleep better. Exercise is also essential and many people with ADHD find that meditative or yoga helps them relax. Talk to your doctor to determine the most effective treatment 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 that arise in work, relationships and other areas of your life when you have ADHD. Women with ADHD may also benefit from individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching them strategies to deal with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to help you accept your thoughts and emotions, while replacing negative thinking patterns with more positive ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD is a life-changing moment for women. It will help you understand the reason you've been struggling and give you a framework to help you improve your life. click through the following website page choose to collaborate with coaches who can teach them behavioral strategies and help them set goals for their lives.
Self-help
There is a wide range of professional treatments for ADHD, you can also improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These strategies could include self-discipline techniques as well as lifestyle changes, therapy or counseling. Many people who suffer from ADHD also implement stress management strategies as well as home and work accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. Before you begin any of these strategies, it is important to consult with a medical professional to ensure that they are safe and will meet your 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. The misinterpretation and criticism of partners, spouses and coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, missed appointments and impulsive decisions can cause frustration to the most tolerant family members. Couples therapy classes that focus on communication and conflict resolution and other strategies can be helpful.
Certain people with ADHD may also experience anxiety and depression. These conditions can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Additionally, some women may suffer from non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which can manifest as scratching, burning, or cutting. NSSI can be very dangerous and is often an symptom of untreated ADHD, so it is essential to talk to your healthcare provider regarding any concerns you might have.
Women suffering from ADHD can also experience feelings of self-pity or shame when they are viewed as unlikable by others. This can result in a lack of motivation, procrastination and a low self-esteem. Having a support system that can comprehend these challenges and teach you how to manage them can make all the difference in the quality of your 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 periods and require more medication to manage their symptoms. Talk to your physician about an alternative therapy for hormones to help manage your body's natural production of estrogen and reduce the symptoms of ADHD. A ADHD coach can also help you develop tailored strategies to achieve your goals and feel confident in control of your day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The the chromosomal makeup of an individual determines the risk for certain disorders including ADHD. Numerous studies have revealed that genetic connections exist between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer, coronary heart disease, parents' age at death and demographics such as 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 is a genetic condition that has a connection with these diseases and that there are common neurobiological mechanisms that link the two conditions.
Women suffering from ADHD might develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat them. Masking can include investing all their energy in their career, hiding their troubles from their family members or changing their behavior to conform to social expectations. Some of these strategies are healthy, while others aren't, and could lead to a sense of being overwhelmed and exhausted.
Additionally mothers and women are frequently expected to take care of their children due to societal and family expectations. A higher expectation and self-esteem issues and the challenges associated with ADHD can cause anxiety and depression. It is not unusual for these emotions to trigger or worsen ADHD symptoms, such as mood fluctuations and feelings of inadequateness.
Certain women experience symptoms become worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or during perimenopause and menopause, when estrogen decreases. This is likely due to the fact the decrease in estrogen can cause seletonin and dopamine levels to drop and make ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women say that their ADHD diagnoses as an "lightbulb" moment. They are happy to finally understand the reason for their issues and are now able to seek help and treatment. In some cases, the diagnosis allows the woman to accept the mistakes she has made 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 gender differences between males and females from gender-based differences that are constructed by society. This article is applicable to all women and people assigned female at birth, regardless of their affirmed gender identity.