ADHD in Older Women
Many womenin their middle age struggle with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD complicated by hormonal changes. undiagnosed adhd in women are often misunderstood by their struggles and overwhelmed.
Hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause and menopausal cycles can intensify the emotional dysregulation and greater executive functioning difficulties caused by adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet and working with a therapist familiar with adhd can ease your symptoms.
Symptoms
Women can be diagnosed with ADHD later in their lives. This is due to a number of reasons, including the fact that women are more likely to exhibit more inattentive than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily noticed by other people) They also develop coping mechanisms to mask these symptoms, as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy and perimenopause.
Women with ADD/ADHD often appear absent in conversations. This can make it difficult for them to connect socially and can lead to problems with inattention and impulsivity. Women with ADHD are also prone to unhealthy coping behaviors such as shopping or watching TV (especially reality shows), or overeating. Another common sign of ADHD is the difficulty in remembering names. This can be exacerbated by a variety of factors as well as by health issues, aging, and menopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD are also more likely to struggle with depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD also have an increased chance of developing mental health problems, including tics, eating disorder and fibromyalgia. PTSD. It is important to treat these issues in order to control and lessen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
It can also be more difficult for women suffering from ADD/ADHD to have a good night's sleep than other adults. This can result in exhaustion which exacerbates symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Insufficient or low-quality sleep can make it more difficult to focus on work, school or household chores.
Verywell Health notes that many people are confused by "gender" with "ADD/ADHD". However, sex is biology and gender is a social construct that is based on the person's own internal view of their self as female, male or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexual preference or genital anatomy, as well as the chromosomal makeup.
No matter if you suffer from ADHD or ADD, a lot of the same tips for improving sleep and reducing stress are applicable to. Getting regular exercise, practicing 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 suffering from ADHD face particular issues when seeking treatment. It is sometimes difficult to recognize symptoms in themselves, and it can be more difficult to access the help they need. They are also more likely to mask their ADHD symptoms. This means that they are more likely to receive late diagnosis and less likely to receive treatment as effectively as men.
The difficulties of ADHD can be made more difficult by hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and menopause. The fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can increase the executive functioning and emotional problems that often come with ADHD. Additionally, the changes in blood flow that occur with aging can trigger a cognitive decline that mimics ADHD symptoms. It's therefore important that health care providers distinguish between a normal part of aging and ADHD symptoms.
There are many treatments available to people who suffer from ADHD. These include lifestyle changes and medication. A good sleep hygiene routine includes establishing a routine before the bedtime, not using screens during the night, and eating a regular diet, can improve sleep. Exercise is crucial. Many people with ADHD find that yoga or meditation helps to relax. It is essential to speak to your doctor about what treatments are right for you.
Some people who suffer from ADHD may benefit from joining a group of support. These groups offer the opportunity to talk in a safe environment about the challenges you encounter in your relationships, at work, and in other areas of your life when you have ADHD. Women with ADHD may also benefit by engaging in group or individual therapy which is focused on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to assist you in accepting your thoughts and emotions, while replacing negative thinking patterns with healthier ones.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It can help you to know the reasons you've been struggling and give you the framework to improve your life. Some people choose to work with an expert coach who will help them discover strategies for managing their behavior and create goals for their life.
Self-help
There's a broad variety of professional treatments for ADHD however, you can improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These strategies could include self-discipline strategies as well as lifestyle changes, therapy or counseling. Many people suffering from ADHD also incorporate stress management techniques, work and home life accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. It is important to speak with a medical professional prior to starting any of these methods to ensure that they are safe for you and address all of your specific needs.
The negative impact on family and relationships is a major problem for women with undiagnosed ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Misunderstandings and criticisms from spouses, partners, and coworkers is common. ADHD symptoms such as absence, forgetfulness, and impulsive decision-making can also be a source of frustration for the most tolerant family members. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on conflict resolution and communication can help.
Some people with ADHD also struggle with anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Some women may also develop non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury that could take the form of burning, cutting, or scratching. NSSI can be extremely risky and is often an symptom of untreated ADHD It is essential to talk to your healthcare provider 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 other people. This can lead to a lack of motivation, procrastination, and low self-esteem. A support system that can recognize these issues and teach you how to cope with them can make all the difference in your quality of life.
ADHD symptoms can be influenced by fluctuating levels of estrogen during pregnancy, menstrual cycle, and perimenopause. Certain women experience more severe symptoms during these cycles and require more medication to treat their symptoms. Consult your physician about hormone replacement therapy. This therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD and regulate your body's production levels of estrogen. An ADHD coach can assist you in developing 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 chromosomes determines the risk of developing certain disorders including ADHD. Many studies have shown that genetic connections exist between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer, coronary heart disease, parents dying at a certain age and demographics, such as number of children in a family, the age of the child who was born first and sex at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD shares a genetic basis with these diseases, and that there are common neurobiological processes that connect the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. This can make it difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat them. Masking could mean investing all their energy into their work, avoiding their issues from their family and friends or altering their behavior to conform to social expectations. Certain of these strategies may be healthy, but some are not. They can result in feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
In addition, societal expectations and family expectations often place the burden of caretaking on women and mothers. Expectations that are higher, low self esteem, and the difficulties that come with ADHD can lead to depression and anxiety. These emotions can trigger or exacerbate symptoms associated with ADHD such as mood fluctuations, feelings of inadequate and anxiety.
Women may experience more severe symptoms during pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal symptoms when estrogen levels decrease. This is likely to be due to the fact that the decline in estrogen causes serotonin and dopamine levels to fall and can make symptoms of ADHD worse.
Many women report their ADHD diagnosis as an "lightbulb moment." They usually feel relieved that they finally have a rational explanation for their struggles and can now seek help and treatment. In some cases, the diagnosis can allow the woman to forgive herself for the mishaps she's experienced in her life due to her ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just a matter of biology. It can be difficult to separate gender differences between men and women from socially constructed gender distinctions. This article applies to all women and people assigned female at birth, regardless of their affirmed gender identity.