ADHD in Older Women
Many womenin their middle age suffer from undiagnosed and untreated ADHD that is exacerbated by hormonal changes. They are often misunderstood in their struggles and overwhelmed.
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause amplify the emotional dysregulation and increase executive functioning issues that can be associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet and working with a therapist familiar with adhd can ease your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
For women, the diagnosis of ADHD may come later in life than it does for men. This is due to a number of factors, including that women tend present with more inattentive than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily recognized by others) They also create coping mechanisms to hide these symptoms, as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy and perimenopause.
Being aloof in conversations is a typical sign of women suffering from ADHD or ADD. This can make it difficult to make connections with others and can lead to problems with inattention and impulsivity. Insane coping strategies, such as shopping, TV watching (especially reality shows) and eating too much, are also common in women suffering from ADD/ADHD. Another common symptom of ADHD is having trouble remembering names. This can be aggravated in a number of ways as well as by health issues, aging and menopausal.
Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD also have higher risks of depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD also have greater chance of developing 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 are more likely to have difficulty getting a good night's sleep when compared to other adults. This can lead to exhaustion, which can worsen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Lack of sleep or a lack of quality sleep can make it difficult to stay focused on school, work or household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people misunderstand the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" interchangeably, but sex refers to biology, while gender is a social construct that is assigned at birth based on a person's internal sense of self as male, female, or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexual preference as well as genital anatomies and chromosomal make-up.
Regardless of whether you have ADHD or ADD, a lot of the same strategies for improving sleep and reducing stress can be applied. You can improve your concentration and sleep by doing regular exercise, doing meditation or deep breathing exercises, and making a healthy sleep routine.
Treatment
Women who suffer from ADHD face unique difficulties when seeking treatment. It can be challenging for women with ADHD to recognize their symptoms and receive the help that they need. They are more likely to mask ADHD symptoms. They are therefore more likely to get a diagnosis later and receive less effective treatment than men.
The challenges of ADHD are often exacerbated by hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and menopause. Drops in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can cause emotional dysregulation to worsen, and executive functioning issues that are frequently associated with ADHD. Additionally, the changes in blood flow that occur with aging may cause cognitive declines that resemble ADHD symptoms. It's crucial that health care providers distinguish between a normal aspect of aging, and ADHD symptoms.
There are many treatments for people suffering from ADHD, including lifestyle changes and medications. Practicing good sleep hygiene - setting a bedtime routine, avoiding screen time before bed and eating regular meals - can improve sleep quality. Exercise is crucial. Many people suffering from ADHD discover that meditation or yoga helps to relax. It is important to speak with your doctor about what treatments are appropriate for you.
Certain people suffering from ADHD can benefit from joining a group for support. These groups offer an opportunity to talk about the challenges you face in your relationships as well as at work and in other areas of your life when you have ADHD. Women with ADHD can also benefit from participating in group or individual therapy which concentrates on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Therapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you accept your thoughts and feelings, while changing your negative patterns of thinking for healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It will help you understand the reason you've struggled, and it can give you a plan to improve your life. Some people prefer working with a professional coach who will help them develop strategies for coping with stress and set goals for their life.
Self-help
You can improve your health by tackling it. There are a myriad of professional treatment options for ADHD. These strategies can include self-discipline methods, lifestyle modifications, and therapy or counseling. Many people who suffer from ADHD also implement stress management strategies, work and home life modifications to their diet, and accommodations into their daily routines. Before you begin any of these methods, it is important to speak with a doctor to ensure that they are safe and meet your needs.
The negative impact on family and relationships is a major issue for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Disagreements and criticisms from partners, spouses, and coworkers is common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, missing appointments, and making impulsive decisions can also test the patience of even the most understanding family members. Couples therapy classes that focus on the ability to communicate and resolve conflicts, and other methods can help.
Some people with ADHD have depression and anxiety which can worsen ADHD symptoms. In addition, some women develop self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which could manifest as scratching, burning, or cutting. NSSI is a potentially dangerous symptom, which is usually caused by untreated ADHD. It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Women who suffer from ADHD might also experience feelings of shame or self-pity when they are viewed as a victim by other people. This can lead to low self-esteem, procrastination and a lack motivation. A support system that understands these struggles and helps you learn to manage them can make a big difference in your life.
The fluctuating levels of estrogen that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause can impact your ADHD symptoms. Some women experience worsening symptoms during these cycles and require more medication to treat their symptoms. Talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. This therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD and control your body's production of estrogen. Additionally An ADHD coach can help you create a specific strategy to meet your goals and feel more at ease with your day-to-day responsibilities.
Genetics
The chromosomal makeup of a person determines the risk for certain diseases, such as ADHD. attention deficit in women have proven that there are genetic connections between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer, coronary artery disease, parents age at death and demographics such as the number of children, the age of the first born, and gender at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD is a genetic basis with these disorders. They also suggest that there are common neurobiological factors connecting the two conditions.
Women suffering from ADHD might develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. This can make it difficult for doctors to identify and treat them. This could consist of putting all their effort into their careers, hiding their problems from family members or altering their behavior in order to conform to the expectations of society. Some of these strategies can be healthy, but some are not. They can result in feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
In addition, mothers and women are frequently required to look after their children due to social and familial expectations. The combination of higher expectations, low self-esteem, and the difficulties of living with ADHD can be a recipe for depression and anxiety. It is not uncommon for these emotions to trigger or exacerbate ADHD symptoms, such as mood shifts and feelings of unworthiness.
Women may experience more severe symptoms during pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal periods when estrogen levels drop. This could be due to the fact the diminution in estrogen causes seletonin and dopamine levels to drop and make ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women report their ADHD diagnosis as an "lightbulb moment." They usually feel content that they have an external explanation for their difficulties and can seek treatment and support. In certain cases the diagnosis enables people to accept the mishaps they've experienced in their lives because of their ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just biology. It can be challenging to separate gender differences between men and women from socially constructed differences in gender. This article applies to all women and people born female regardless of their confirmed gender identity.