ADHD in Older Women
Many women* in middle age struggle with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD complicated by hormonal changes. They are often misunderstood in their struggles and are overwhelmed.
The hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopause or menopausal change can increase emotional dysregulation as well as executive dysfunction that is associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a balanced diet, and seeking out an therapist who is familiar with adhd can help alleviate your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
For women, the diagnosis of ADHD may come later in life than for men. This is due to several reasons, including the fact that women are more likely to have more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which can be more easily spotted by other people) They often develop coping mechanisms that mask these symptoms and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, perimenopausal and menopausal cycles can increase symptoms.
People with ADD/ADHD are often disoriented during conversations. This can make it hard to connect with others and may increase their impulsivity or inattention. Poor coping habits, such as shopping, TV watching (especially reality TV) and eating too much, are also common in women suffering from ADHD or ADD. Trouble remembering names is another common indication of ADHD for women. This can be caused by a variety of situations particularly those related to health, aging, and menopause.
Women with ADD/ADHD are also at higher risks of depression than men. In addition, women with ADD/ADHD are more susceptible to a myriad of other medical conditions and mental health issues, such as tics, eating disorders and fibromyalgia. PTSD. It is essential to treat these issues to manage and alleviate symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
It can also be more difficult for women suffering from ADD/ADHD to get good quality sleep than other adults. This can cause exhaustion, which can aggravate symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Poor or insufficient sleep can also make it more difficult to focus at work, in the classroom, or in household chores.
Verywell Health notes that many people mistake "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 different from a person's sexual orientation, genital anatomies, and the chromosomal makeup.
If you suffer from ADD/ADHD or not, there are plenty of strategies that can help you improve your sleep and ease stress. You can improve your concentration and sleep by doing regular exercise, performing meditation or deep breathing exercises, as well as developing a healthy routine for sleeping.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD have different experiences when seeking treatment for their condition. It is sometimes difficult to spot symptoms within the individual, and it could be more difficult to access the help they require. They are also more likely to conceal their ADHD symptoms. As a result, they are more likely to receive late diagnosis and less likely to be treated in the same way as men.
The challenges of ADHD can be made more difficult by hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and menopause. The fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can cause an increase in the emotional dysregulation and executive functioning problems that often come with ADHD. Additionally, the changes in blood flow that occur with aging can trigger a cognitive declines that resemble ADHD symptoms. attention deficit disorder in women is therefore essential that health professionals distinguish between a normal part of aging and ADHD symptoms.
There are a myriad of treatment options available for people who suffer from ADHD. These include lifestyle changes and medications. Making sure you are practicing good sleep hygiene by establishing a bedtime routine and avoiding time spent on screens prior to bed, and eating a regular diet - can improve sleep quality. Exercise is also important and many people with ADHD find that meditative or yoga can help them relax. It is important to speak with your doctor about which treatments are best for you.
adhd in women checklist who suffer from ADHD might benefit from joining a group for support. These groups can offer an environment where you can talk about the difficulties that arise in work, relationships and other areas of your life when you have ADHD. Women who have ADHD may benefit from either individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching them strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Therapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you to accept your thoughts and feelings while swapping out negative thoughts for healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD is a life-changing moment for women. It can help you know the reasons you've been struggling and give you a framework to improve your life. Some people choose to work with a professional coach who can help them discover strategies for managing their behavior and create goals for their lives.
Self-help
There is a wide selection of professional treatment options for ADHD however, you can improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These methods could include self-discipline and lifestyle changes, therapy, or counseling. Many people with ADHD also implement stress management strategies as well as home and work accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. Before beginning any of these strategies it is crucial to speak with a doctor 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 has on their relationships as well as family members. Disregard and mistrust from spouses, partners, and coworkers are not uncommon. ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, missed appointments and impulsive decisions can cause frustration to the most understanding family members. Couples therapy classes that focus on conflict resolution and communication, and other techniques can help.
Certain people with ADHD are also afflicted by depression and anxiety, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Some women also develop non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury, which can be in the form of burning, cutting or scratching. NSSI is a very dangerous symptom, which is usually caused by untreated ADHD. It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Women suffering from ADHD might also experience feelings of self-pity or shame when they are viewed as a victim by other people. This can cause depression, self-esteem issues, and a lack of motivation. A support system that can comprehend these challenges and teach you how to manage them can make a huge difference to your quality of life.
ADHD symptoms can be influenced by fluctuating levels of estrogen during pregnancy, menstrual cycle, and perimenopausal. Certain women experience more severe symptoms during these periods and need more medication to control their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. This could help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and control your body's production levels of estrogen. Additionally An ADHD coach can help you develop a customized strategy to achieve your goals and feel more in control of your day-today obligations.
Genetics
The genetic makeup of a person's DNA - their chromosomal traits - determines their likelihood of developing certain disorders, like ADHD. Multiple studies have shown that there are genetic connections between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer or coronary artery disease. parents' ages at death and demographics such as the number of children, age of the first child 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 with ADHD might develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms. This can make it difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat them. Masking can include investing all their energy into their work, avoiding their troubles from their family and friends or altering their behavior to conform to social expectations. Some of these strategies are healthy, but others aren't, and could cause a feeling of exhaustion and overwhelm.
Additionally, social expectations and family expectations often place the burden of caretaking on mothers and women. Increased expectations and self-esteem issues and the difficulties that come with ADHD can cause anxiety and depression. It is not uncommon for these feelings to trigger or worsen ADHD symptoms, such as mood swings and feelings of inadequacy.
Some women experience worsening symptoms during pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal symptoms as estrogen levels decrease. 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 have described their ADHD diagnoses as an "lightbulb" moment. They feel relieved to finally understand the reason for their problems and are now able to seek support and treatment. In some instances, the diagnosis allows the woman to forgive herself for the mishaps she's experienced in her life due to her ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is more than biology, and it can be difficult to separate the biological differences between males and women from gender-based differences that are constructed by society. This article is applicable to all women and people born female, regardless of their affirmed gender identity.