ADHD in Older Women
Many womenin their midlife struggle with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD complicated by hormonal changes. They often feel misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles.
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopausal changes can exacerbate the emotional dysregulation and greater executive functioning issues that can be associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a balanced diet and working with a therapist familiar with adhd can improve your symptoms.
Symptoms
For women, a diagnosis of ADHD could be later in life than it does for men. This is due to a variety of factors, such as the fact that women are more likely to exhibit more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which can be more easily observed by others), they often develop coping mechanisms to disguise these symptoms, and hormonal changes during pregnancy, perimenopausal changes and menopausal cycles can increase symptoms.
Women with ADD/ADHD tend to appear disoriented during conversations. This can make it difficult for them to connect socially and can lead to problems with inattention and impulsivity. People with ADD/ADHD are more prone to unhealthy coping habits like shopping or watching television (especially reality shows) or eating too much. 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 more likely to struggle with depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD are also at greater chance of developing mental health issues, such as eating disorders, tics as well as fibromyalgia, PTSD. It is important to treat these conditions to manage and alleviate 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 lead to fatigue, which can cause more symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Insufficient or low-quality sleep can make it more difficult to stay focused 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 based on an individual's internal perception of their gender as male, female or non-binary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexual preference, genital anatomy, and chromosomal makeup.
Whether you have ADD/ADHD, or not, there are many strategies that can help you improve your sleep and reduce stress. Getting regular exercise, practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises and creating a healthy sleep routine can help you get better sleep and improve your ability to focus.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD have unique experiences when it comes to seeking treatment for their condition. It can be challenging for those suffering from ADHD to identify their symptoms and get the help they require. They are more likely to mask ADHD symptoms. As a result, they are more likely to receive late diagnoses 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 cause an increase in the emotional dysregulation and executive functioning problems that often come with ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that come with aging may also cause cognitive decline, which can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore, it's important for health professionals to be aware of the differences between the natural occurrences of aging and real ADHD symptoms.
There are a variety of treatment options available for people who suffer from ADHD. These include lifestyle changes and 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 will improve the quality of sleep. Exercise is important. Many people with ADHD discover that meditation or yoga can help them relax. It's important to talk to your doctor about which treatments are appropriate for you.
Some people who suffer from ADHD can benefit from joining an organization for support. These groups can provide an environment where you can talk about the issues that arise in relationships, work and other areas of life when you suffer from ADHD. Women who suffer from ADHD may also benefit by engaging in group or individual therapy that concentrates on teaching strategies to deal with their ADHD. Therapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you to accept your thoughts and feelings, while changing your negative patterns of thinking to healthier ones.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a life-changing event for women. It can help you to know the reasons you've been struggling and provide you with a framework to improve your life. Some people prefer working with a professional coach who will help them discover strategies for managing their behavior and create goals for their life.
Self-help
You can improve your condition by tackling it. There are a myriad of professional treatments available for ADHD. These strategies may include self-discipline and lifestyle changes, therapy, or counseling. Many people with ADHD also implement stress management strategies, work and home life adjustments, and changes to their diet into their daily routines. Before you begin any of these strategies it is crucial to speak with a doctor to ensure that they are safe and suit your requirements.
The negative impact on relationships and family members is a major problem for women with undiagnosed ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. The misinterpretation and criticism of spouses as well as coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness missing appointments, and impulsive decisions can also strain the patience of even the most understanding family members. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on conflict resolution and communication can help.
Some people suffering from ADHD may also experience anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, some women might develop non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which may be characterized as burning, scratching or cutting. NSSI is a potentially dangerous symptom, which is usually caused by untreated ADHD. It is essential to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
Women with ADHD may also develop feelings of self-pity or shame when they are viewed as a victim by other people. This can cause lack of motivation, procrastination, and a low self-esteem. A support system that is aware of these issues and helps you learn to deal with them can make a significant difference in your life.
ADHD symptoms are influenced by fluctuating levels of estrogen during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopausal. Some women find that their symptoms become more severe during these periods and require more medication to manage them. Think about talking to your physician about a hormone replacement therapy to manage the body's natural production of estrogen and reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Lastly adult adhd in women can help you create a specific strategy to meet your goals and feel more in control of your day-today tasks.
Genetics
The genetic makeup of a person's DNA - their chromosomal characteristics - determines the risk of developing certain disorders, like ADHD. Numerous studies have proven that there are genetic connections between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer and coronary artery disease. parents' ages at death and demographics like the number of children, age of first born and gender at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD shares a genetic basis with these conditions, and that there are common neurobiological processes that connect the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat them. Masking can include putting their entire energy into their career, hiding their troubles from their family and friends or altering their behavior to conform to social expectations. Some of these strategies are healthy, while others are not and can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed and exhausted.
Additionally, social and family expectations can put the burden of taking care of women and mothers. The combination of high expectations, low self-esteem and the difficulties of living with ADHD can be a recipe for depression and anxiety. It is not uncommon for these emotions to trigger or worsen ADHD symptoms, like mood fluctuations and feelings of inadequateness.
Certain women experience more severe symptoms during menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause when estrogen levels drop. This is likely due to the fact the diminution in estrogen can cause dopamine and seletonin levels to decrease and make ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women say that their ADHD diagnosis as being a "lightbulb" moment. They are relieved to finally have a reason for their problems and are now able to seek help and therapy. In some cases, the diagnosis allows people to accept the mishaps they've experienced in their lives because of their ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is more than biology, and it is often difficult to distinguish the biological differences between males and females 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.