ADHD in Older Women
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a common problem for women in their midlife. Hormonal changes can make the issue worse. They often report feeling misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles.
Hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopausal and menopausal cycles can intensify the emotional dysregulation, and can cause greater executive functioning issues that can be associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a balanced diet and working with a therapist familiar with adhd can help alleviate your symptoms.
Symptoms
For women, a diagnosis of ADHD could be later in life than for males. This is due to a number of factors, such as the fact that women typically exhibit more inattention than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily recognized by others) and they develop strategies to disguise these symptoms, and also hormonal changes during pregnancy and perimenopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD often appear absent in conversations. This can make it difficult to communicate with others and can worsen their impulsivity or lack of attention. Women with ADD/ADHD are also susceptible to unhealthy coping strategies such as shopping, watching television (especially reality shows) or overeating. The difficulty in remembering names is another common indication of ADHD in women. It can be aggravated by a variety of circumstances, especially those connected to health, aging, or menopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to struggle with depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD also have greater risk of developing other mental health conditions, including eating disorders, tics, fibromyalgia and PTSD. To reduce and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, it is crucial to treat any underlying issues.
It can be difficult for women with ADD/ADHD to get enough sleep than other adults. This can result in exhaustion which exacerbates symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Insufficient or poor quality sleep can make it more difficult to concentrate at work, at school, or on household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people use the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" in the same way, however sex refers to biology, while gender is a social construct assigned at birth based on a person's inner self-perception of being male female, male, or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexual orientation as well as genital anatomies and the chromosomal makeup.
Whether you have ADD/ADHD, or not, there are plenty of strategies that can help you improve your sleep and ease stress. Regular exercise, meditation or deep breathing exercises and establishing a healthy sleeping routine can help you get better sleep and improve your ability to focus.
Treatment
Women who suffer from ADHD have unique experiences when seeking treatment for their condition. It can be difficult for women with ADHD to recognize their symptoms and receive the help that they need. They are more likely to conceal ADHD symptoms. In the end, they are more likely to receive late diagnosis 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 decrease in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can exacerbate emotional dysregulation, and executive functioning issues are often linked to ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that occur with age can also lead to cognitive decline that mimics ADHD symptoms. It's therefore important to make sure that health professionals can differentiate between normal signs of aging, and ADHD symptoms.
There are a myriad of treatment options available for people with ADHD. These include lifestyle changes as well as medication. Practicing good sleep hygiene - setting a bedtime routine and avoiding screens before going to going to bed and eating regularly will improve the quality of sleep. Exercise is also important and many people who suffer from ADHD find that meditative or yoga helps them relax. You should talk to your doctor to determine the best treatment for you.
Some people with ADHD might benefit from joining a group for support. These groups can provide a safe space to discuss the issues that arise in relationships, work and other areas of life when you have ADHD. Women who have ADHD could also benefit from individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching them strategies to deal with their ADHD. Therapy may also include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps you to accept your thoughts and feelings while swapping out negative patterns of thinking to healthier ones.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It can help you to understand why you have been struggling and provide you with an opportunity to improve your life. Some people also choose to engage a coach who can help them learn behavior strategies and help them set goals for their lives.
Self-help
There's a broad variety of professional treatments for ADHD however, you can improve your condition by taking steps to manage it. These methods could include self-discipline, lifestyle changes, therapy, or counseling. Many people suffering from ADHD also incorporate stress management techniques such as work and home accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. It is important to speak with a medical professional prior to commencing any of these techniques to ensure that they are safe for you and address all of your needs.
The negative impact on family relationships and friends is a major challenge for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Disregard and mistrust from spouses or coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms such as inattention, missing appointments and impulsive decision-making may also be frustrating to even the most understanding family members. Couples therapy and classes that focus on conflict resolution and communication can help.
adhd in women adult with ADHD are also afflicted by anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. In addition, some women suffer from non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which can be characterized as scratching, burning, or cutting. NSSI can be very dangerous and is usually an indication of untreated ADHD and it is crucial to talk with your healthcare professional regarding any concerns you may have.
It is also common for women with ADHD to experience feelings of shame, depression or self-pity when they are disregarded or criticized by other people. This can cause lack of motivation, procrastination and a low self-esteem. Having a support system that can understand these struggles and help you overcome them can make a huge difference to your quality of life.
The different levels of estrogen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and perimenopausal cycles can affect your ADHD symptoms. Some women notice that their symptoms worsen during these times and require additional medication to manage the symptoms. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of a hormone replacement therapy to help control your body's natural production estrogen and decrease the symptoms of ADHD. Finally An ADHD coach can help you build tailored strategies to reach your goals and feel more in control of your day-to-day obligations.
Genetics
The genetic DNA of a person and chromosomal characteristics determines their likelihood of developing certain disorders, such as ADHD. Numerous studies have proven that there are genetic correlations between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer, coronary artery disease, parents' ages at death and demographics such as the number of children, age of the first born and gender at birth. These results suggest that ADHD has a genetic connection with these diseases and that there are also common neurobiological processes that connect the two conditions.
Women suffering from ADHD may develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat them. This can consist of putting all their effort into their careers, hiding their problems from family members or changing their behavior to meet societal expectations. Some of these methods are healthy, however others aren't and could cause a feeling of being overwhelmed and exhausted.
In addition mothers and women are frequently expected to take care of 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 an ideal recipe for anxiety and depression. These feelings can trigger or exacerbate symptoms of ADHD, such as mood fluctuations, feelings of inadequate and anxiety.
Certain women experience symptoms worsen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or during menopausal perimenopausal periods when estrogen levels drop. This is likely to be due to the fact that the decline in estrogen causes dopamine and serotonin levels to fall and can make symptoms of ADHD worse.
Many women say that they have experienced their ADHD diagnosis as an "lightbulb moment." They usually feel relieved that they finally have an external explanation for their issues and are able to seek treatment and support. In some cases the diagnosis allows the woman to be able to forgive herself for the mistakes she has made in her life due to her ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just a matter of biology. It can be challenging to separate biological differences between men and women from socially constructed gender distinctions. This article is applicable to all women and those born female regardless of their confirmed gender identity.