ADHD in Older Women
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a common issue for women in their midlife years. Hormonal changes can make the situation worse. They often feel misunderstood by their struggles and feel overwhelmed.
The hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause or menopause can amplify emotional dysregulation, and executive functioning problems associated with adhd. Exercise, a healthy diet, and finding a therapist who is familiar with adhd may improve your symptoms.
Symptoms
Women may be diagnosed with ADHD later in life. This is due to a number of reasons, including the fact that women typically exhibit more inattention than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily noticed by other people) and they create coping mechanisms to hide these symptoms, as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy and perimenopause.
Women with ADD/ADHD often appear disoriented during conversations. This makes it difficult for them to socialize and can lead to problems with inattention and impulsivity. Poor coping habits, such as shopping, TV watching (especially reality shows) and eating too much, are also common in women with ADD/ADHD. Having trouble remembering names is another common sign of ADHD in women. It can be made worse by a myriad of factors, especially those that have to do with age, health, and menopausal.
Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD are more likely to struggle with depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD are also at a higher chance of developing other mental health issues, such as tics, eating disorder and fibromyalgia. PTSD. It is important to treat these disorders in order to manage and reduce symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
Women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to have difficulty getting good quality sleep in comparison to other adults. This can lead to exhaustion, which exacerbates symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Lack of sleep or a lack of quality sleep can make it more difficult to stay focused on school, work or household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people mistakenly use the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" interchangeably, but sex refers to biology, while gender is a social construct that is assigned at birth based on the person's internal perception of themselves as male female, nonbinary, or male. Gender is different from a person's sexual orientation or genital anatomy, as well as the chromosomal makeup.
No matter if you suffer from ADHD or ADD, a lot of the same strategies for improving sleep and reducing stress can be applied. You can improve your concentration and sleep by doing regular exercise, practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises, and developing a healthy routine for sleeping.
adhd in women checklist suffering from ADHD have unique issues when seeking treatment. It is sometimes difficult to recognize symptoms in themselves, and can be more difficult to get the help they require. They tend to hide ADHD symptoms. In the end, they are more likely to receive late diagnosis and less likely to be treated in the same way as men.
The difficulties of ADHD may be exacerbated by hormonal changes that happen during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles. 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 happen with aging may also cause cognitive decline, which mimics ADHD symptoms. It's crucial that health care providers distinguish between a normal part of aging and ADHD symptoms.
There are several treatments for people suffering from ADHD that include lifestyle changes and medication. Good sleep hygiene includes setting a routine prior to the bedtime, not using screens during the night, and eating regularly can help improve sleep. Exercise is essential. Many people with ADHD find that meditation or yoga can help them relax. It is essential to speak to your doctor about which treatments are right for you.
Certain people suffering from ADHD are benefited by joining an organization for support. These groups can provide an environment where you can talk about the difficulties that arise in relationships, work and other areas of your life when you have ADHD. Women who suffer from ADHD can also benefit from engaging in group or individual therapy which focuses on teaching strategies to deal with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing negative thought patterns with healthier ones.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It can help you understand why you've struggled and can provide you a direction to improve your life. Some people also opt to engage a coach who can guide them through behavior strategies and help them establish goals for their lives.
Self-help
You can improve your condition by managing it. There are many professional solutions for ADHD. These strategies could include self-discipline methods and lifestyle modifications, as well as therapy or counseling. Many people suffering from ADHD also incorporate stress management techniques such as work and home accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. Before beginning any of these methods it is crucial to consult with a medical professional to ensure they are safe and meet your needs.
One of the biggest challenges for women with undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it has on their relationships as well as family members. The misinterpretation and criticism of spouses or coworkers are not uncommon. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, missed appointments and impulsive decision-making may also be frustrating to even the most tolerant family members. Couples therapy, classes that emphasize conflict resolution and communication, and other techniques can help.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, some women might suffer from non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which can take the form of burning, scratching or cutting. NSSI can be very risky and is often a symptom of untreated ADHD, so it is important to speak with your doctor regarding any concerns you might have.
It is also common for women suffering from ADHD to develop feelings of shame, depression or self-pity following being misunderstood or dismissed by others. This can cause depression, self-esteem issues, and a lack motivation. A support system that can understand these struggles and teach you how to manage them can make a huge difference in the quality of your life.
ADHD symptoms can be influenced by different levels of estrogen in menstrual cycle, pregnancy and perimenopausal. Women who suffer from worsening symptoms during these cycles and require more medication to manage their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. This can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD and help regulate your body's production levels of estrogen. A 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 for certain disorders including ADHD. Many studies have shown that genetic connections exist between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer, coronary heart disease, parents who died and demographics like the number of children in a family, age of the child who was born first, and sex at birth. These results suggest that ADHD has a shared genetic cause with these conditions, and also indicate that there are common neurobiological processes linking the two conditions.
Women suffering from ADHD might develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. This can make it difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat them. Masking could mean putting their entire energy into their work, avoiding their problems from their loved ones or changing their behavior to conform to social expectations. Certain of these strategies may be healthy, but some aren't. They can leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
Additionally mothers and women are typically expected to take care of their children because of societal and family expectations. The combination of increased expectations, low self-esteem and the challenges of living with ADHD can create an ideal recipe for depression and anxiety. These emotions can trigger or worsen symptoms associated with ADHD such as mood fluctuations, feelings of inadequate and anxiety.
Some women notice that their symptoms worsen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or during menopausal perimenopausal periods as estrogen levels decrease. This is likely to be due to the fact that the decrease in estrogen causes dopamine and serotonin levels to drop, which can make the symptoms of ADHD worse.
Many women describe their ADHD diagnosis as an "lightbulb moment." They often feel relieved that they finally have an external explanation for their struggles and can now seek help and assistance. In some cases, the diagnosis allows the woman to accept the mistakes she has made in her life because of 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 is applicable to women and people who were assigned female at birth regardless of their gender identity.