ADHD in Older Women
Many women* in middle age struggle with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD caused by hormonal changes. They often report feeling misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles.
The hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause or menopause can amplify emotional dysregulation as well as executive functioning issues that are that are associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a balanced diet, and seeking out a therapist familiar with adhd can help alleviate your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
Women can be diagnosed with ADHD later in life. This is due to a number of factors, such as the fact that women typically exhibit more inattentive than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily noticed by others), they develop strategies to disguise these symptoms, as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy and perimenopausal.
People with ADD/ADHD are often absent in conversations. This can make it difficult for them to connect socially and can lead to problems with inattention and impulsivity. Poor coping habits like shopping, TV watching (especially reality shows), and overeating, are also common in women suffering from ADHD or ADD. Having trouble remembering names is a common indication of ADHD in women. It can be caused by a variety of circumstances that are related to age, health, and menopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to experience depression than men. In addition, women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to suffer from a variety of other medical conditions and mental health disorders, like eating disorders, tics, fibromyalgia, and PTSD. It is important to treat these issues in order to control and alleviate symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
It is also harder for women suffering from ADD/ADHD to get enough sleep than other adults. This can lead to exhaustion which can exacerbate symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Sleep deficient or of poor quality can make it harder to stay focused at work, at school, or with household chores.
Verywell Health notes that many people confuse "gender" with "ADD/ADHD". However, sex is biology and gender is a social construct based on an individual's internal perception of their gender as male, female or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexuality or genital anatomy, as well as 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. Regular exercise, meditation or deep breathing exercises and establishing a healthy sleep routine can help you get better sleep and increase your ability to concentrate.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD have different experiences when it comes to seeking treatment for their condition. It is sometimes difficult to spot symptoms within themselves, and can be more difficult to access the assistance they require. They tend to hide ADHD symptoms. As a result, they are more likely to receive later diagnoses and less likely to receive treatment as effectively as men.
The difficulties of ADHD can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that are associated with perimenopause and menopause. Dips in estrogen and progesterone can cause an increase in the emotional dysregulation and executive functioning issues that are often associated with ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that come with aging may also cause cognitive decline that mimics ADHD symptoms. It is therefore essential that health care providers distinguish between a normal aspect of aging, and ADHD symptoms.
There are many treatments available to people who suffer from ADHD. These include lifestyle changes as well as medication. Making sure you are practicing good sleep hygiene by establishing a bedtime routine and avoiding time spent on screens prior to going to bed and eating regularly can help improve sleep quality. Exercise is essential. Many people with ADHD discover that yoga or meditation helps to relax. It is important to talk with your doctor to determine the most effective treatment for you.
Some people with ADHD can benefit from joining a group of support. These groups offer an opportunity to talk about the challenges you face in your relationships as well as at work and in other areas of your life when you have ADHD. Women with ADHD may benefit from either individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to help you accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing negative thought patterns with healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD is a life-changing event for women. It can help you understand why you have been struggling and give you the framework to improve your life. Some people choose to work with a professional coach who will help them discover strategies for managing their behavior and create goals for their lives.
Self-help
While there are a wide variety of professional treatments for ADHD and other disorders, you can improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These strategies may include self-discipline and lifestyle changes therapy, counseling, or both. Many people who suffer from ADHD also implement stress management strategies as well as home and work modifications to their diet, and accommodations into their daily routines. It is crucial to consult with a doctor prior to commencing any of these techniques to ensure they are safe for you and address all of your requirements.
The negative impact on family relationships and friends is a major problem for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Disagreements and criticisms from spouses, partners and colleagues are not uncommon. ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, missed appointments and impulsive decision-making may also be frustrating to even the most tolerant family members. adult add in women that focus on conflict resolution and communication, and other techniques can help.
Some people with ADHD also struggle with depression and anxiety which can cause ADHD symptoms. Women may also experience non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury that may take the form of burning, cutting, or scratching. NSSI is a potentially dangerous symptom that is often caused by untreated ADHD. It is essential to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
Women suffering from ADHD can also experience feelings of self-pity or shame when they are viewed as a victim by other people. This can lead to low self-esteem, procrastination and a lack motivation. A support system that understands these struggles and helps you learn to deal with them can make a significant difference in your life.
ADHD symptoms can be affected by the different levels of estrogen in menstrual cycle, pregnancy and perimenopause. Some women experience worsening symptoms during these periods and require more medication to treat their symptoms. Consider talking with your doctor about a hormone replacement therapy to control the body's natural production of estrogen and reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Additionally you can consult an ADHD coach can help you build tailored strategies to reach your goals and feel more in control of your day-today responsibilities.
Genetics
The genetic DNA of a person and chromosomal characteristics determines their risk for developing certain disorders, like ADHD. Numerous studies have proven that there are genetic links between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer, coronary artery disease, parents' ages at death, and demographics such as the number of children, age of the first born, and gender at birth. These results suggest that ADHD is a genetic basis with these disorders, and they also indicate that there are common neurobiological factors linking the two conditions.
Women who suffer from ADHD may develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, which can make it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated. Masking may mean putting their entire energy into their career, hiding their problems from their family and friends or altering their behavior to conform to social expectations. Some of these strategies can be beneficial, but others aren't. They can lead to feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
In addition, societal and family expectations can put the burden of taking care of mothers and women. Expectations that are higher and self-esteem issues and the challenges associated with ADHD can lead to anxiety and depression. It is not unusual for these emotions to trigger or even exacerbate ADHD symptoms, such as mood swings and feelings of inadequacy.
Certain women experience symptoms worsen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or during menopausal perimenopausal periods as estrogen levels decrease. This is likely due to the fact that the reduction in estrogen can cause seletonin and dopamine levels to drop which can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women describe their ADHD diagnoses as being a "lightbulb" moment. They feel relieved to finally have a reason for their issues and are now able to seek help and therapy. In some cases the diagnosis enables them to forgive themselves for the misfortunes that they have suffered through the course of their lives because of their ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just biology. It can be challenging to discern biological differences between men and women from socially constructed gender differences. This article applies to women and people who were designated gender female at birth regardless of their gender identity.