ADHD in Older Women
Many womenin their middle age struggle with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD complicated by hormonal changes. They often feel misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles.
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopausal cycles can intensify the emotional dysregulation and increase executive functioning problems that are that are associated with adhd. Exercise and a healthy diet and locating a therapist who is familiar with adhd may improve your symptoms.
Symptoms
Women can be diagnosed with ADHD later in life. This is due to many reasons, including the fact that women tend to exhibit more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which can be more easily noticed by other people) In addition, they tend to develop coping mechanisms to mask these symptoms and hormonal changes during pregnancy, perimenopausal and menopausal changes can intensify symptoms.
Women with ADD/ADHD often appear absent in conversations. This makes it difficult to make connections with others and can exacerbate problems with inattention and impulsivity. People with ADD/ADHD are more prone to unhealthy coping habits such as shopping or watching TV (especially reality shows) or eating too much. The difficulty in remembering names is another common indication of ADHD in women. It can be made worse by a myriad of factors that are that have to do with age, health, and menopause.
Women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression than men. In addition, women with ADD/ADHD are more susceptible to a myriad of other mental health issues, including tics, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, and PTSD. It is important to treat these issues in order to control and lessen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
It can be difficult for women with ADD/ADHD to get good quality sleep than other adults. This can lead to fatigue, which can cause more symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Poor or insufficient sleep can also make it harder to stay focused at work, at the classroom, or in household chores.
Verywell Health notes that many people mistake "gender" with "ADD/ADHD". However sexuality is a biological phenomenon and gender is a social construct that is based on an individual's internal perception of their self as female, male or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexuality or genital anatomy, as well as chromosomal makeup.
If you have ADD/ADHD or not, there are many tips that can help improve sleep and reduce stress. You can improve your sleep and focus by getting regular exercise, doing meditation or deep breathing exercises and creating a healthy sleeping routine.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD have unique experiences when seeking treatment for their condition. It may be harder to identify symptoms in themselves, and it can be more difficult for them to receive the assistance they require. They are also more likely to mask their ADHD symptoms. As a result, they are more likely to receive late diagnosis and less likely to be treated as effectively as men.
The challenges of ADHD may be exacerbated by hormonal changes that take place during perimenopause or menopause. Progesterone and estrogen levels drop can cause an increase in the executive dysfunction and emotional issues that are common to ADHD. Additionally, the changes in blood flow associated with aging may cause cognitive declines that resemble ADHD symptoms. This is why it's crucial for health care providers to recognize the differences between a natural part of aging and real ADHD symptoms.
There are many treatments available to people with ADHD. These include lifestyle changes and medication. A good sleep hygiene routine, such as setting a routine prior to bed, avoiding screens and eating regularly can help you sleep better. Exercise is also essential and many people with ADHD find that meditation or yoga can help them relax. Talk to your doctor to determine the most effective treatment for you.
Some people with ADHD can benefit from joining a support group. These groups provide an environment where you can talk about the challenges that arise in work, relationships and other areas when you have ADHD. Women with ADHD may also benefit from individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching them strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Therapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you learn to accept your thoughts and feelings, while changing your negative thoughts for healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD is a life-changing event for women. It can help you understand why you've struggled and can provide you a direction for improving your life. Many people choose to engage coaches who can teach them ways to manage their behavior and help them develop goals for their lives.
Self-help
There's a broad selection of professional treatment options for ADHD however, you can improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These strategies include self-discipline techniques, lifestyle modifications, and therapy or counseling. Many people with ADHD implement stress management strategies such as home and work arrangements, and nutrition changes into their daily schedules. Before you begin any of these methods, it is important to consult with a medical professional to ensure they are safe and will meet your requirements.
The negative impact on relationships and family members is a major challenge for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Misunderstandings and criticisms from spouses, partners, and coworkers is common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, missed appointments and impulsive decision-making may cause frustration to the most tolerant family members. Couples therapy and classes that focus on conflict resolution and communication can be helpful.
Many people who suffer from ADHD are also afflicted with depression and anxiety. These conditions can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Some women also develop non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury that may take the form of burning, cutting or scratching. NSSI is extremely dangerous and is often a symptom of untreated ADHD and it is important to speak with your healthcare provider about any concerns you have.
Women with 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 the struggles you face and teaches you how to deal with them can make a big difference in your life.
add symptoms in women of estrogen during pregnancy, menstrual cycles, and perimenopausal periods can impact your ADHD symptoms. Certain women experience more severe symptoms during these cycles and need more medication to manage their symptoms. 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 developing a customized strategy to achieve your goals and feel confident in control of your daily tasks.
Genetics
The genetic makeup of a person's chromosomes determines the risk of developing certain disorders including ADHD. Numerous studies have demonstrated that there are genetic connections between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer or 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 results suggest that ADHD shares a genetic basis with these diseases, and that there are common neurobiological processes that connect the two conditions.
Women with ADHD may develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, which could make it harder to diagnose and treated. This can involve putting all their energy into their jobs, avoiding their issues from family members or altering their behavior to conform to social norms. Some of these methods are healthy, however others are not and can result in a feeling of being overwhelmed and exhausted.
In addition, societal and family expectations can put the burden of caretaking on mothers and women. The combination of higher expectations, low self-esteem and the challenges of living with ADHD can be the perfect recipe for anxiety and depression. These feelings can trigger or intensify symptoms associated with ADHD like mood swings, feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.
Some women find that their symptoms are worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or during menopausal perimenopausal periods, when estrogen decreases. This could be due to the fact that the decrease in estrogen can cause dopamine and seletonin levels to drop which can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women say that their ADHD diagnoses as being a "lightbulb" moment. They are relieved to finally have a reason for their issues, and can now seek help and therapy. In some instances, the diagnosis allows the patient to forgive herself for the misfortunes she has experienced 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 those assigned female at birth, regardless of their affirmed gender identity.