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 often report feeling misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles.
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopausal cycles can intensify the emotional dysregulation and increase executive functioning issues that can be caused by adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet and working with an adhd-specific therapist can ease your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
For women, a diagnosis of ADHD may come later in life than it does for men. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that women are more likely to exhibit more inattention than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily observed by others) and they create coping mechanisms to hide these symptoms, as well as hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and perimenopausal.
People with ADD/ADHD are often absent in conversations. This can make it hard to connect with others and may increase their impulsivity or inattention. Unhealthy coping behaviors, such as shopping, TV watching (especially reality TV), and overeating, are also common in women suffering from ADHD or ADD. Another common symptom of ADHD is difficulty remembering names. This can be aggravated in a number of ways as well as by health issues, aging and menopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression than men. Additionally, women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to suffer from various other mental health issues, including eating disorders, tics and fibromyalgia. PTSD. It is essential to treat these disorders to manage and alleviate symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
It is also harder for women with ADD/ADHD have a good night's sleep than other adults. This can result in exhaustion, which can worsen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Lack of sleep or a lack of quality sleep can make it harder to focus on work, school or household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people mistakenly use the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" interchangeably, however the term "sex" refers to biology while gender is a social construct assigned at birth based on the person's internal sense of self as male, female, or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person’s sexual orientation, genital anatomies, and chromosomal make-up.
If you have ADD/ADHD or not, there are many ways to improve your sleep and decrease stress. You can improve your concentration and sleep by doing 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 may be harder to identify symptoms in the individual, and it could be more difficult to access the help they need. They are also more likely to conceal their ADHD symptoms. As a result, they are more likely to receive late diagnoses and are less likely to receive treatment as effectively as men.
The challenges of ADHD can be made more difficult by hormonal changes that are associated with perimenopause and menopause. Progesterone and estrogen levels drop can increase the executive dysfunction and emotional problems that often come with ADHD. In addition, changes in blood flow that occur with aging can trigger a cognitive decline that mimics ADHD symptoms. It is therefore essential that health care providers distinguish between normal signs of aging and ADHD symptoms.
There are many treatment options for people with ADHD, including lifestyle changes and medications. A good night's sleep - setting a bedtime routine, avoiding screen time before bed and eating regular meals can help improve sleep quality. Exercise is also essential and many people who suffer from ADHD find that meditative or yoga helps them relax. Talk to your doctor to determine the most effective treatment for you.
Certain people suffering from ADHD can benefit from joining a group for support. These groups provide a safe place to discuss the issues you face in your relationships at work, in your relationships, and in other areas of your life when you are ADHD. Women with ADHD might also benefit from individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching strategies to deal with their ADHD. adhd in women signs can include cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you accept your thoughts and feelings while swapping out negative thoughts for healthier ones.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It can help you to discover the reason you've been struggling and provide you with a framework to improve your life. Many people choose to collaborate with an expert coach who can help them learn behavioral strategies and help them develop goals for their lives.
Self-help
You can improve your health by tackling it. There are many professional solutions for ADHD. These strategies could include self-discipline methods, lifestyle modifications, and therapy or counseling. Many people who suffer from ADHD also implement stress management strategies such as work and home accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. Before you begin any of these techniques, it is important to speak with a doctor to ensure they are safe and will meet your needs.
One of the biggest challenges for women with undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it can have on their relationships and family members. Disagreements and criticisms from partners, spouses, and coworkers is common. ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, late appointments, and impulsive choices can also strain the patience of even the most understanding loved ones. Couples therapy classes that focus on conflict resolution and communication, and other strategies can be helpful.
Some people who have ADHD also struggle with anxiety and depression which can cause ADHD symptoms. Some women also develop non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury that could take the form of cutting, burning, or scratching. NSSI is a very risky symptom that is typically caused by untreated ADHD. It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
It is also common for women with ADHD to develop feelings of shame, depression, or self-pity after being ignored or disregarded by other people. This can cause low self-esteem, procrastination and a lack of motivation. A support system that understands these issues and helps you learn to cope can make a huge impact on your life.
ADHD symptoms can be affected by the varying levels estrogen during pregnancy, menstrual cycle, and perimenopausal. Some women experience worsening symptoms during these cycles and require additional medication to manage their symptoms. Consult your physician about hormone replacement therapy. This therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD and regulate your body's production of estrogen. A ADHD coach can also help you develop tailored strategies to meet your goals and feel in control of your daily tasks.
Genetics
The genetic DNA makeup of a person's genome - their chromosomal traits - determines the risk of developing certain disorders, including ADHD. Numerous studies have revealed that genetic links exist between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer and coronary heart disease. parents' age at death and demographics, such as the number of children in a family, the age of the child who was born first, and sex at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD is a genetic basis with these disorders, and they also indicate that there are common neurobiological processes connecting the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop strategies for coping to disguise their symptoms, which could make it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated. Masking can include investing all their energy in their job, hiding their issues from their loved ones or altering their behavior in order to satisfy social expectations. Some of these strategies could be healthy, but some aren't. They can lead to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
Additionally women and mothers are often expected to take care of their children because of societal and familial expectations. The combination of high expectations, low self-esteem and the challenges of living with ADHD can create a recipe for anxiety and depression. These emotions can trigger or intensify symptoms associated with ADHD such as mood fluctuation, feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.
Certain women experience more severe symptoms during pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal symptoms as estrogen levels decrease. This is likely to be due to the fact that the decrease in estrogen causes dopamine and serotonin levels to fall and can make symptoms of ADHD worse.
Many women report their ADHD diagnosis as a "lightbulb moment." They usually feel at peace knowing that they have a reason to explain their issues and are able to seek treatment and support. In some cases, the diagnosis can allow the woman to be able to forgive herself for 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 is often difficult to distinguish the biological differences between males and females from socially constructed gender differences. This article is applicable to women and those who were deemed gender female at birth regardless of their gender identity.