ADHD in Older Women
Many women* in middle age struggle with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD that is exacerbated by hormonal changes. They often feel misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles.
The hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopause or menopause can amplify emotional dysregulation, and executive functioning problems associated with adhd. adhd symptoms in adult women and a healthy diet and locating a therapist who is familiar with adhd may help alleviate your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
Women may be diagnosed with ADHD later in their lives. This is due to many factors, including the fact that women tend to have more inattention 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 cycles can increase symptoms.
Being aloof in conversations is a common symptom for women with ADD/ADHD. This can make it difficult to communicate with other people and can increase their impulsivity or lack of attention. Insane coping strategies like shopping, TV watching (especially reality TV), and overeating are also common among women suffering from ADHD or ADD. The difficulty in remembering names is a common sign of ADHD in women, which can be aggravated by a variety of situations particularly those related to age, health, and menopausal.
Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD also have an increased risk of developing depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD are also at a higher chance of developing mental health issues, such as eating disorders, tics, fibromyalgia and PTSD. It is essential to treat these issues to manage and lessen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
Women with ADD/ADHD have a harder time getting a good night's sleep when compared to other adults. This can lead to fatigue, which can cause more symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Sleep deprivation or lack of quality can make it more difficult to focus on school, work, or household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people mistakenly use the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" in the same way, however sexuality 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, or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexuality, genital anatomy, and chromosomal makeup.
If you suffer from ADD/ADHD or not, there are many strategies that can help you improve your sleep and decrease stress. Getting regular exercise, practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises, and creating a healthy sleep routine can help you get better sleep and increase your ability to concentrate.
Treatment
Women with ADHD face particular difficulties when seeking treatment. It can be difficult for them to spot symptoms within the individual, and it could be more difficult to access the assistance they require. They are also more likely to mask their ADHD symptoms. As a result, they are more likely to receive later diagnoses and are less likely to be treated in the same way as men.
The difficulties of ADHD are often exacerbated due to hormonal changes that happen in menopausal and perimenopausal women. Drops in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can exacerbate emotional dysregulation, and executive functioning issues that are often associated with ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that occur with aging may also cause cognitive decline, which mimics ADHD symptoms. This is why it's crucial for health care providers to recognize the differences between the natural occurrences of aging and genuine ADHD symptoms.
There are many treatment options available to people suffering from ADHD, including changes in lifestyle and medications. Practicing good sleep hygiene such as establishing a routine for bedtime and avoiding time spent on screens prior to bed and eating regular meals can help improve sleep quality. Exercise is also important and many people with ADHD discover that meditation or yoga can help to relax. You should talk to your doctor to determine the most effective treatment for you.
Certain people suffering from ADHD may benefit from joining a group for support. These groups offer an opportunity to talk about the difficulties you encounter in your relationships, at work, and in other areas of your life when you're ADHD. Women with ADHD might also benefit from individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching them strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to help you accept your thoughts and emotions, while replacing negative thoughts with more positive ones.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a life-changing event for women. attention deficit in women can help you to discover the reason you've struggled and provide the framework to improve your life. Some people opt to work with a professional coach who can help them learn behavioral strategies and develop goals for their lives.
Self-help
You can improve your health by tackling it. There are a myriad of professional treatment options for ADHD. These strategies can include self-discipline strategies, lifestyle modifications, and therapy or counseling. Many people suffering from ADHD also implement stress management strategies as well as home and work accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. It is important to speak with a medical professional prior to beginning any of these strategies to ensure they are safe for you and meet all of your specific requirements.
One of the main challenges for women suffering from undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it can have on their relationships as well as family members. Disagreements and criticisms from spouses, partners, and coworkers is common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness late appointments, and impulsive choices can also strain the patience of even the most understanding loved ones. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on conflict resolution and communication can be helpful.
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, which can be in the form of burning, cutting or scratching. NSSI is a risky symptom that is typically caused by untreated ADHD. add symptoms in adult women is essential to discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare provider.
Women with ADHD can also experience feelings of self-pity or shame when they are viewed as a victim by other people. This can cause feelings of self-doubt, procrastination, and a lack of motivation. Having a support system that can comprehend these challenges and teach you how to manage these issues can make all the difference in your quality of life.
ADHD symptoms can be affected by the fluctuating levels of estrogen during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopausal. Some women notice that their symptoms become more severe during these times and require additional medication to manage them. Talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. This could help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and help regulate your body's production levels of estrogen. A ADHD coach can help you develop tailored strategies to reach your goals and feel more in control of your daily tasks.
Genetics
The genetic DNA makeup of a person's genome and chromosomal characteristics determines their risk for 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 who died at a certain age, and demographics such as the number of children, age of the first born 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 who suffer from ADHD might develop strategies for coping to disguise their symptoms, which may make it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated. Masking can include investing all their energy into their work, avoiding their troubles from their family and friends or changing their behavior to conform to social expectations. Some of these strategies are healthy, while others aren't and could result in a feeling of exhaustion and overwhelm.
Additionally, social expectations and family expectations often place the burden of taking care of women and mothers. The combination of high expectations, low self-esteem and the challenges of living with ADHD can create a recipe for depression and anxiety. These emotions can trigger or intensify symptoms of ADHD, like mood fluctuations, feelings of inadequate and anxiety.
Certain women experience symptoms are worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or during menopausal perimenopausal periods when estrogen levels drop. This is likely to be due to the fact that the decrease in estrogen causes serotonin and dopamine levels to fall, which can make the 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 treatment and support. In some instances, the diagnosis allows the patient to accept the mishaps she's experienced in her life due to her ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is more than just 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 applies to women and people who were assigned gender female at birth regardless of their gender identity.