ADHD in Older Women
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a common problem for women in their midlife years. Hormonal changes can make the problem worse. They are often misunderstood in their struggles and feel overwhelmed.
Hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopausal and menopausal cycles can intensify the emotional dysregulation, and can cause greater executive functioning issues that can be caused by adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet, and seeking out an adhd-specific therapist can help alleviate your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
For women, a diagnosis of ADHD could be later in life than it does for men. This is due to several factors, such as the fact that women are more likely to have more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which can be more easily noticed by other people), they often develop coping mechanisms to mask these symptoms and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, perimenopause and menopausal cycles can increase symptoms.
Women with ADD/ADHD often appear disoriented during conversations. This can make it difficult to communicate with others and may increase their impulsivity or inattention. People with ADD/ADHD are susceptible to unhealthy coping strategies such as shopping and watching TV (especially reality shows), or overeating. Having trouble remembering names is another common sign of ADHD in women, which can be caused by a myriad of factors that are connected to health, aging, or menopause.
Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD are more likely to struggle with depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD are also at greater chance of developing other mental health conditions, including eating disorders, tics as well as fibromyalgia, PTSD. It is crucial to treat these issues to manage and alleviate symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
It can also be more difficult for women with ADD/ADHD get enough sleep than other adults. This can cause exhaustion, which can worsen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Sleep deficient or of poor quality can also make it harder to stay focused at work, in school, or on household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people use the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" interchangeably, however sexuality refers to biology while gender is a social construct assigned at birth based on the person's internal perception of themselves as male, female, or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexual orientation or genital anatomy, as well as the chromosomal makeup.
No matter if you suffer from ADHD or ADD, many of the same suggestions for improving your sleep and reducing stress are applicable to. You can improve your sleep and focus by getting regular exercise, doing meditation or deep breathing exercises and developing a healthy routine for sleeping.
Treatment
Women who suffer from ADHD face particular issues when seeking treatment. It is sometimes difficult to spot symptoms within themselves, and it can be more difficult to access the assistance they require. They are more likely to conceal ADHD symptoms. This means that they are more likely to receive later diagnoses and less likely to be treated with the same efficiency as men.
The difficulties of ADHD are often exacerbated due to hormonal changes that take place in menopausal and perimenopausal women. The fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can increase the executive dysfunction and emotional problems that often come with ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that come with aging can also trigger cognitive decline that mimics 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 a myriad of treatments available to people with ADHD. These include lifestyle changes as well as medication. Good sleep hygiene, such as creating a routine before bed, avoiding screens and eating regularly can help you sleep better. Exercise is also essential and many people with ADHD discover that meditation or yoga helps them relax. It is important to talk with your doctor to determine the best treatment for you.
Certain people suffering from ADHD are benefited by joining a support group. These groups can provide the opportunity to talk in a safe environment about the challenges that arise in work, relationships and other areas of your life when you have ADHD. Women who have ADHD could also benefit from individual or group therapy which focuses on teaching them strategies to deal with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can assist you in accepting your thoughts and feelings while replacing negative thought patterns with more positive ones.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing event for women. It will help you understand the reason you've struggled and can provide you a framework to help you improve your life. Some people also choose to work with a coach who can teach them behavioral strategies and help them establish goals for their lives.
Self-help
There's a broad range of professional treatments for ADHD, you can also improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These strategies may include self-discipline, lifestyle changes therapy, counseling, or both. Many people with ADHD also implement stress management strategies, work and home life accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. It is important to speak with a doctor prior to commencing any of these techniques to ensure that they are safe for you and meet your individual requirements.
The negative impact on family and relationships is a major issue for women with undiagnosed ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Misunderstandings and criticisms from spouses, partners and coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness missing appointments, and impulsive decisions can also test the patience of even the most understanding family members. Couples therapy classes that focus on conflict resolution and communication, and other strategies can be helpful.
Many people suffering from ADHD are also afflicted with depression and anxiety. These conditions can cause ADHD symptoms. Women may also experience non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury that may take the form of cutting, burning or scratching. NSSI can be very risky and is often a symptom of untreated ADHD and it is important to speak with your doctor about any concerns you have.
It is also normal for women suffering from ADHD to develop feelings of shame, depression or self-pity following being ignored or disregarded by others. This can result in low self-esteem, procrastination and a lack motivation. A support system that can understand these struggles and help you cope with them can make all the difference in the quality of your life.
ADHD symptoms are influenced by fluctuating levels of estrogen during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopause. Women who suffer from worsening symptoms during these periods and require additional medication to treat their symptoms. Think about talking to your healthcare professional about a hormone replacement therapy to manage your body's natural production estrogen and decrease the symptoms of ADHD. Additionally you can consult an ADHD coach can help you create a specific strategy to meet your goals and feel more in control of your day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The genetic makeup of a person's chromosomes determines the risk of having certain diseases, such as ADHD. Several different studies have reported that genetic connections exist between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer and coronary heart disease. parents' age at death and demographics, such as number of children in a household, the age of the child who was born first and sex at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD is a genetic condition that has a connection with these conditions and that there are also common neurobiological mechanisms that link the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. This can make it difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat them. This masking may consist of putting all their effort into their work, avoiding their problems from family members, or changing their behaviors to conform to social norms. Certain of these strategies may be beneficial, but others aren't. adhd in young women can leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
In addition, women and mothers are often required to look after their children because of societal and family expectations. The combination of high expectations, low self-esteem and the challenges of living with ADHD can be an ideal recipe for anxiety and depression. It is not unusual for these feelings to trigger or worsen ADHD symptoms, including mood shifts and feelings of unworthiness.
Certain women experience symptoms are worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles, when estrogen decreases. This could be due to the fact that the reduction in estrogen causes seletonin and dopamine levels to decrease which can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women have described their ADHD diagnoses as an "lightbulb" moment. They feel relieved to finally have a reason for their problems, and can now seek help and treatment. In some cases the diagnosis allows the patient to be able to forgive herself for the mishaps she's experienced in her life due to her ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just biology. It can be challenging to separate biological differences between males and females from socially constructed differences in gender. This article applies to all women and people born female regardless of their declared gender identity.