ADHD in Older Women
Many women* in middle age struggle with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD complicated by hormonal changes. They are often misunderstood in their struggles and are overwhelmed.
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopausal cycles can intensify the emotional dysregulation and increase executive functioning issues that can be associated with adhd. Exercise, a healthy diet, and finding a therapist who is familiar with adhd may help alleviate your symptoms.
Symptoms
Women may be diagnosed with ADHD later in the course of their lives. This is due to many factors, such as the fact that women tend to have more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which can be more easily observed by other people), they often develop coping mechanisms to disguise these symptoms and hormonal changes during pregnancy, perimenopausal changes and menopausal changes can intensify symptoms.
Women with ADD/ADHD often appear absent in conversations. This can make it hard to connect with others and may increase their impulsivity or lack of attention. Women with ADD/ADHD are also susceptible to unhealthy coping strategies such as shopping or watching television (especially reality shows) or overeating. The difficulty in remembering names is another typical sign of ADHD for women. This can be caused by a variety of circumstances particularly those related to age, health, and menopausal.
Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD also have a higher risk of depression than men. Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD also have an increased chance of developing mental health problems, including tics, eating disorder as well as fibromyalgia, PTSD. It is important to treat these conditions to manage and alleviate symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
Women with ADD/ADHD have a harder time getting enough sleep, especially compared to 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 focus at work, in school, or with 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 gender as male, female or non-binary. 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 tips that can help improve sleep and decrease stress. You can improve your sleep and focus by getting regular exercise, practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises and creating a healthy sleeping routine.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD have different experiences when it comes to seeking treatment for their condition. It can be challenging for women with ADHD to recognize their symptoms and receive the help 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 in the same way as men.
The challenges of ADHD can be exacerbated by hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and menopause. Drops in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can lead to an increase in emotional dysregulation, and executive functioning issues are often linked to ADHD. In addition, changes in blood flow that occur with aging can trigger a cognitive declines that resemble ADHD symptoms. It's crucial that health professionals distinguish between a normal aspect of aging, and ADHD symptoms.
There are many treatment options for people with ADHD, including changes in lifestyle and medications. Good sleep hygiene includes creating a routine before the bedtime, not using screens during the night, and eating regularly can improve sleep. Exercise is also essential, and many people with ADHD find that meditative or yoga can help them relax. It is important to talk with your doctor to determine the best treatment for you.
Some people who suffer from ADHD might benefit from joining a group of support. These groups provide an environment where you can talk about the difficulties that arise in relationships, work and other areas when you have ADHD. Women with ADHD might benefit from either individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching them strategies to deal 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.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a life-changing event for women. It can help you to discover the reason you've been struggling and provide you with a framework to improve your life. Some people choose to work with a professional coach who can help them learn behavioral strategies and develop goals for their life.
Self-help
You can improve your condition by managing it. There are a variety of professional solutions for ADHD. These strategies could include self-discipline and lifestyle changes, therapy, or counseling. Many people who suffer from ADHD also incorporate stress management techniques such as work and home accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. It is crucial to consult with a doctor prior to commencing any of these techniques to ensure that they are safe for you and meet all of your specific requirements.
One of the biggest challenges for women suffering from undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it has on their relationships and family members. Misunderstandings and criticisms from partners, spouses and colleagues are not uncommon. ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, missed appointments, and impulsive decision-making can cause frustration to the most understanding family members. Couples therapy, classes that emphasize conflict resolution and communication, and other methods can help.
Certain people with ADHD also struggle with depression and anxiety which can cause ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, some women might develop non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which may take the form of burning, scratching or cutting. NSSI is a very dangerous symptom, which is usually caused by untreated ADHD. It is crucial to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
It is also normal for women suffering from ADHD to experience feelings of shame, depression or self-pity when they are ignored or disregarded by others. This can cause low self-esteem, procrastination and a lack motivation. A support system that is aware of these struggles and teaches you how to cope can make a huge impact on your life.
The fluctuating levels of estrogen that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopausal periods can affect your ADHD symptoms. Some women find that their symptoms get worse during these periods and require more medication to control them. Consult your physician about hormone replacement therapy. This can help 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 meet your goals and feel more in control of your day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The genetic DNA of a person and chromosomal characteristics determines their risk for developing certain disorders, including ADHD. Numerous studies have revealed that genetic connections exist between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer or coronary heart disease. parents who died and demographics, such as number of children in a family, age of the child who was born first and sex at birth. These results suggest that ADHD shares a genetic basis with these conditions, and that there are also common neurobiological processes that connect the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms. undiagnosed adhd in women can make it difficult to diagnose and treat them. This could consist of putting all their effort into their careers, hiding their issues from family members, or changing their behaviors in order to conform to the expectations of society. Some of these strategies could be healthy, but some are not. They can lead to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
In addition, women and mothers are often expected to take care of their children due to societal and family expectations. Increased expectations and self-esteem issues and the challenges that come with ADHD can cause anxiety and depression. These feelings can trigger or intensify symptoms associated with ADHD like mood fluctuations, feelings of inadequate and anxiety.
Certain women experience more severe symptoms during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal periods as estrogen levels decrease. This could be due to the fact that the decline in estrogen causes dopamine and serotonin levels to drop and can make symptoms of ADHD worse.
Many women describe their ADHD diagnosis as an "lightbulb moment." They are often at peace knowing that they have a rational explanation for their difficulties and can seek help and treatment. In some cases the diagnosis allows the woman to accept the misfortunes she has experienced in her life because of 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 women and people who were designated gender female at birth regardless of their gender identity.