ADHD in Older Women
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a frequent issue for women in their midlife. Hormonal changes can make the issue worse. They are often misunderstood in their struggles and overwhelmed.
Hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopausal and menopausal changes can exacerbate the emotional dysregulation, and can cause greater executive functioning difficulties associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a balanced diet, and seeking out a therapist familiar with adhd can improve your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
For women, a diagnosis of ADHD may come later in life than it does for men. adult add women is due to a variety of factors, such as the fact that women tend to present with more inattentive symptoms than hyperactivity (which can be more easily spotted by others), they often develop coping mechanisms that mask these symptoms and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, perimenopausal changes and menopausal changes can intensify symptoms.
Women with ADD/ADHD often appear distant during conversations. This can make it difficult to connect with other people and can increase their impulsivity and inattention. People with ADD/ADHD are more prone to unhealthy coping habits such as shopping and watching TV (especially reality shows) or overeating. Another common sign of ADHD is the difficulty in remembering names. This can be exacerbated in a number of ways as well as by health issues, aging, and menopausal.
Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD are more likely to struggle with depression than men. In addition, women with ADD/ADHD are more susceptible to various other medical conditions and mental health disorders like tics, eating disorders as well as fibromyalgia and PTSD. In order to reduce and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, it is crucial to treat any underlying issues.
Women with ADD/ADHD have a harder time getting enough sleep, especially in comparison to other adults. This can cause exhaustion, which can worsen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Insufficient or poor quality sleep can also make it harder to stay focused at work, in the classroom, or in household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people misunderstand the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" in the same way, however the term "sex" refers to biology while gender is a social construct that is 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 sexual preference or genital anatomy, as well as the chromosomal makeup.
If you have ADD/ADHD or not, there are many strategies that can help you improve your sleep and decrease stress. Engaging in regular exercise, doing meditation or deep breathing exercises, and creating a healthy sleep routine can help you get better sleep and improve your ability to focus.
Treatment
Women who suffer from ADHD face particular difficulties when seeking treatment. It can be difficult for women with ADHD to recognize their symptoms and receive the help they require. They are also more likely to mask their ADHD symptoms. In the end, they are more likely to receive later diagnoses and are less likely to receive treatment with the same efficiency as men.
The challenges of ADHD are often exacerbated because of hormonal changes that take place during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles. The fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can cause an increase in the executive functioning and emotional problems that often come with ADHD. In addition, changes in blood flow that occur with aging can trigger a cognitive declines that are similar to 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 variety of treatments for people suffering from ADHD, including changes in lifestyle and medications. A good night's sleep such as establishing a routine for bedtime and avoiding screens before going to going to bed and eating regularly - can improve sleep quality. Exercise is also important 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.
Some people with ADHD are benefited by joining an organization for support. These groups provide an opportunity to talk about the issues you encounter in your relationships, at work, and in other aspects of your life when you are ADHD. Women who suffer from ADHD can also benefit from taking part in individual or group therapy which concentrates on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Therapy may also include cognitive behavior therapy, which can help you accept your thoughts and feelings, while changing negative patterns of thinking to healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD is a life-changing event for women. It can help you understand why you have struggled and provide the framework to improve your life. Some people opt to work with an expert coach who can help them learn behavioral strategies and develop goals for their life.
Self-help
There is a wide variety of professional treatments for ADHD however, you can improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These strategies could include self-discipline techniques, lifestyle modifications, and therapy or counseling. Many people who suffer from ADHD also implement stress management strategies, work and home life modifications to their diet, and accommodations into their daily routines. It is essential to consult with a medical professional prior to beginning any of these strategies to ensure they are safe for you and meet all of your needs.
One of the major issues for women with undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it has on their relationships as well as family members. Disregard and mistrust from spouses or coworkers are not uncommon. 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 emphasize communication and conflict resolution and other techniques can help.
Many people with ADHD may also experience depression and anxiety. These conditions can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, some women might suffer from non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which may take the form of scratching, burning, or cutting. NSSI is extremely risky and is often an symptom of untreated ADHD It is important to speak with your healthcare professional regarding any concerns you might have.
It is also normal for women with ADHD to develop feelings of depression, shame or self-pity following being misunderstood or dismissed by others. This can lead to depression, self-esteem issues, and a lack of motivation. A support system that understands the struggles you face and helps you learn to manage them can make a big impact on your life.
ADHD symptoms are influenced by different levels of estrogen in menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopause. Women who suffer from worsening symptoms during these cycles and require more medication to treat their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. This could help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and control the body's production of estrogen. A ADHD coach can help you develop tailored strategies to achieve your goals and feel confident in control of your daily tasks.
Genetics
The chromosomal makeup of a person determines the risk for certain diseases, such as ADHD. Multiple studies have shown that there are genetic connections between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer, coronary artery disease, parents age at death and demographics like the number of children, age of first born and gender at birth. These results suggest that ADHD shares a genetic basis with these diseases, and that there are common neurobiological mechanisms linking the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop strategies for coping to mask their symptoms, which may make it difficult to diagnose and treated. Masking can include putting their entire energy into their job, hiding their troubles from their family and friends or altering their behavior to conform to social expectations. Some of these strategies could be healthy, but some aren't. They can leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
In addition mothers and women are frequently expected to take care of their children due to social and family expectations. The combination of high expectations, low self-esteem and the difficulties of living with ADHD can be the perfect recipe for anxiety and depression. It is not unusual for these feelings to trigger or exacerbate ADHD symptoms, including mood shifts and feelings of unworthiness.
Women may experience more severe symptoms during pregnancy, menstruation, perimenopause or menopause when estrogen levels decrease. This is likely to be due to the fact that the decrease in estrogen causes serotonin and dopamine levels to decrease and can make symptoms of ADHD worse.
Many women say that they have experienced their ADHD diagnosis as being a "lightbulb moment." They usually feel content that they have a rational explanation for their struggles and can now seek help and assistance. In some instances, the diagnosis allows the patient to accept the mistakes she has made in her life because of her ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is more than biology, and it can be difficult to separate the biological gender differences between males and females from socially constructed gender differences. This article applies to females and people who were designated female at birth regardless of their gender identity.