ADHD in Older Women
Many womenin their middle age suffer from undiagnosed and untreated ADHD complicated by hormonal changes. They often feel misunderstood by their struggles and feel overwhelmed.
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopausal cycles can intensify the emotional dysregulation and greater executive functioning difficulties caused by adhd. Exercise, a healthy diet and finding an adhd-specific therapist can help alleviate your symptoms.
Symptoms
For women, a diagnosis of ADHD may come later in life than for males. This is due to many factors, including the fact that women tend to have more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which is more easily spotted by others) They often develop coping mechanisms to mask these symptoms, and hormonal changes during pregnancy, perimenopause and menopausal changes can intensify symptoms.
Appearing aloof during conversations is a typical characteristic of women suffering from ADHD or ADD. This makes it difficult for them to socialize and can lead to problems with impulsivity and inattention. Poor coping habits, such as shopping, TV watching (especially reality shows) and eating too much are also common among women with ADD/ADHD. Another common symptom of ADHD is having trouble remembering names. This can be aggravated in a number of ways, including by health issues, aging, and menopausal.
Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD also have an increased risk of developing depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD also have greater chance of developing mental health issues, such as eating disorders, tics, fibromyalgia and PTSD. It is crucial to treat these conditions in order to control and alleviate symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
It is also harder for women with ADD/ADHD get enough sleep than other adults. This can result in exhaustion, which can worsen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Insufficient or poor quality sleep can make it more difficult to focus at work, at 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 an individual's internal perception of themselves as male female, male, or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexuality or genital anatomy, as well as chromosomal makeup.
Whether you have ADD/ADHD, or not, there are plenty of strategies that can help you improve your sleep and decrease stress. You can improve your focus and sleep by engaging in regular exercise, performing meditation or deep breathing exercises, and developing a healthy routine for sleeping.
Treatment
Women with ADHD have unique issues when seeking treatment. It is sometimes difficult to identify symptoms in themselves, and can be more difficult to access the help they require. They are also more likely to conceal their ADHD symptoms. They are therefore more likely to get a diagnosis later and receive less effective treatment than males.
The challenges of ADHD may be exacerbated by hormonal changes that occur during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles. The fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can exacerbate the emotional dysregulation and executive functioning problems that often come with ADHD. In addition, changes in blood flow associated with aging can cause some cognitive declines that resemble ADHD symptoms. It's therefore important that health professionals distinguish between normal signs of aging, and ADHD symptoms.
There are a myriad of treatment options available for people with ADHD. These include lifestyle changes and medications. Good sleep hygiene like establishing a routine before bedtime, avoiding screen-time and eating regular meals can improve sleep. Exercise is essential. Many people with ADHD discover that yoga or meditation helps them relax. It is essential to speak to your doctor about what treatments are appropriate for you.
Some people with ADHD may benefit from joining a group of support. These groups can offer a safe space to discuss the issues that arise in work, relationships and other areas when you have ADHD. Women with ADHD may also benefit by taking part in individual or group therapy that concentrates on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Therapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you to accept your thoughts and feelings while changing your negative patterns of thinking to healthier ones.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It will help you understand the reason you've been struggling, and it can give you a direction to improve your life. Many people choose to work with a coach who can guide them through behavior strategies and help them establish goals for their lives.
Self-help
While there are a wide range of professional treatments for ADHD and other disorders, you can improve your condition by taking steps to manage it. These strategies can include self-discipline methods as well as lifestyle changes, therapy or counseling. Many people with ADHD incorporate stress management techniques as well as work and home accommodations and dietary changes into their daily schedules. Before you begin any of these strategies it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional to ensure that they are safe and will meet your needs.
One of the biggest challenges for women suffering from undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it can have on their relationships and family members. Misunderstandings and criticism from spouses, partners, and coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness late appointments, and impulsive choices can also strain the patience of even the most understanding family members. Couples therapy classes that focus on the ability to communicate and resolve conflicts, and other techniques can help.
Some people suffering from ADHD also suffer from depression and anxiety. adhd in young women can worsen ADHD symptoms. In addition, some women develop self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which can be characterized as burning, scratching or cutting. NSSI is a very dangerous symptom that is often caused by untreated ADHD. It is important to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
It is also typical for women with ADHD to develop feelings of shame, depression or self-pity when they are misunderstood or dismissed by other people. This can lead to a lack of motivation, procrastination and a low self-esteem. A support system that is aware of these issues and helps you learn to deal with them can make a huge impact on your life.
ADHD symptoms can be influenced by varying levels estrogen during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopausal. Women who suffer from worsening symptoms during these periods and require more medication to control their symptoms. Talk to adhd in young women about hormone replacement therapy. This could help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and regulate your body's production levels of estrogen. Additionally, an ADHD coach can assist you to develop a customized strategy to achieve your goals and feel more in control of your day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The genetic makeup of a person's DNA - their chromosomal traits - determines the risk of developing certain disorders, including ADHD. Many studies have shown that genetic links exist between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer or coronary heart disease. parents' age at death and demographics, like the 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 basis with these conditions, and also suggest that there are common neurobiological factors that link the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treat them. Masking may mean putting their entire energy into their work, avoiding their troubles from their family members or altering their behavior to meet social expectations. Some of these methods are healthy, however others are not and can lead to a sense of exhaustion and overwhelm.
In addition women and mothers are often expected to take care of their children due to social and family expectations. The combination of high 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 such as mood swings, feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.
Certain women experience symptoms worsen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or during menopausal perimenopausal periods, when estrogen decreases. This could be due to the the decrease in estrogen can cause seletonin and dopamine levels to decrease, which can make ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women report their ADHD diagnosis as a "lightbulb moment." They are often relieved that they finally have a reason to explain their issues and are able to seek help and assistance. In certain cases the diagnosis can allow them to be able to forgive themselves for the misfortunes that they have experienced in their lives because of their ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just biology. It can be challenging to discern biological differences between men and women from socially constructed differences in gender. This article applies to women and people who were assigned female at birth regardless of their gender identity.