ADHD in Older Women
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a frequent issue for women in their midlife years. Hormonal changes can make the problem worse. They often feel misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles.
The hormonal fluctuations that accompany perimenopausal or menopausal change can increase emotional dysregulation, and executive functioning issues that are that are associated with adhd. Exercise and a balanced 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 several reasons, including the fact that women tend to exhibit more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which can be more easily observed by other people) In addition, they tend to develop coping mechanisms to disguise these symptoms, and hormonal changes during pregnancy, perimenopause and menopausal cycles can increase symptoms.
Women with ADD/ADHD often appear disoriented during conversations. This can make it difficult for them to socialize and can cause problems with impulsivity and inattention. Unhealthy coping behaviors such as shopping, TV watching (especially reality TV) and eating too much, are also common in women with ADHD or ADD. Trouble remembering names is a common sign of ADHD in women. It can be made worse by a variety of situations that are related to health, aging, and menopause.
Women with ADD/ADHD are also at higher risks of depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD are also at greater risk of developing other mental health conditions, including tics, eating disorder and fibromyalgia. PTSD. To lessen and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, it is crucial to treat any underlying condition.
Women with ADD/ADHD suffer from difficulty getting good quality sleep in comparison to other adults. This can cause exhaustion, which can aggravate symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Insufficient or poor quality sleep can make it harder to focus at work, in school, or on household chores.
Verywell Health notes that many people are confused by "gender" with "ADD/ADHD". However, sex is biology and gender is a social construct based on an individual's internal perception of their self as female, male or non-binary. Gender is distinct from a person’s sexual orientation or genital anatomy, as well as the chromosomal makeup.
Whatever your condition, whether you have ADHD or ADD, a lot of the same suggestions to improve your sleep and reduce stress are applicable to. You can improve your focus and sleep by engaging in regular exercise, practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises and developing a healthy routine for sleeping.
Treatment
Women with ADHD have their own unique challenges when it comes to seeking treatment for their condition. previous may be harder to recognize symptoms in the individual, and it could be more difficult for them to receive the help they need. They are also more likely to mask their ADHD symptoms. This means that they are more likely to receive later diagnosis and less likely to be treated with the same efficiency as men.
The difficulties of ADHD can be made more difficult by hormonal changes that occur during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles. Dips in estrogen and progesterone can exacerbate the executive dysfunction and emotional issues that are common to ADHD. In addition, the changes in blood flow associated with aging may cause cognitive declines that resemble ADHD symptoms. It's therefore important that health care providers distinguish between a normal aspect of aging, and ADHD symptoms.
There are a myriad of treatments available to people who suffer from ADHD. These include lifestyle changes and medications. Good sleep hygiene like establishing a routine before bed, avoiding screens and eating regularly can help improve sleep. Exercise is important. Many people suffering from ADHD find that yoga or meditation 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 are benefited by joining an ADHD support group. These groups provide an environment where you can talk about the difficulties that arise in work, relationships and other areas of life when you have ADHD. Women with ADHD can also benefit from engaging in group or individual therapy which focuses on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Therapy can include cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you to accept your thoughts and feelings while swapping out negative thoughts for healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD is a life-changing event for women. It can help you understand why you've been struggling, and it can give you a direction to improve your life. Some people opt to work with a professional coach who can assist them to develop strategies for coping with stress and set goals for their life.
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 methods could include self-discipline, lifestyle modifications, therapy, or counseling. Many people suffering from ADHD also implement stress management strategies as well as home and work adjustments, and changes to their diet into their daily routines. Before you begin any of these techniques, it is important to speak with a doctor to ensure that they are safe and will meet your requirements.
The negative impact on relationships and family members is a major challenge for women with undiagnosed ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Disregard and mistrust from spouses, partners, and coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, absence of appointments, and impulsive choices can also strain the patience of even the most understanding family members. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on conflict resolution and communication can help.
Certain people with ADHD are also afflicted by anxiety and depression which can cause ADHD symptoms. Some women also develop non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury that can be in the form of cutting, burning, or scratching. NSSI is a potentially dangerous symptom that is often caused by untreated ADHD. It is essential to discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare provider.
Women with 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 low self-esteem. Supporting a person who can understand these struggles and help you overcome these issues can make all the difference to your quality of life.
The different levels of estrogen that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and perimenopausal cycles can impact your ADHD symptoms. Some women find that their symptoms worsen during these times and require more medication to control them. Talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. This could help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and help regulate the body's production of estrogen. A ADHD coach can also assist you in establishing a specific strategy to reach your goals and feel in control of the day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The genetic makeup of a person's DNA - their chromosomal characteristics - determines their likelihood of developing certain disorders, like ADHD. Several different studies have reported that genetic correlations exist between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer, coronary heart disease, parents' age at death and demographics such as number of children in a family, the age of the child who was born first and sex at birth. These results suggest that ADHD has a common genetic cause with these conditions, and also indicate that there are common neurobiological processes that link the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms, which could make it difficult to diagnose and treated. Masking may mean putting their entire energy into their work, avoiding their problems from their family members or changing their behavior to conform to social expectations. Some of these methods are healthy, however others are not and can result in a feeling of exhaustion and overwhelm.
Additionally mothers and women are typically expected to care for their children due to societal 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 worsen ADHD symptoms, like mood swings and feelings of inadequacy.
Some women experience worsening symptoms during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal periods when estrogen levels drop. This is probably due to the the diminution in estrogen can cause seletonin and dopamine levels to drop, which can make ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women describe their ADHD diagnosis as being a "lightbulb moment." They are often content that they have an external explanation for their issues and are able to seek help and assistance. In some cases the diagnosis can allow people to accept the misfortunes that they have endured in their lives as a result of their ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just biology. It can be challenging to separate gender differences between women and men from socially constructed differences in gender. This article applies to all women and those born female, regardless of their affirmed gender identity.