ADHD in Older Women
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a common issue for women in their midlife. Hormonal changes can make the issue worse. They are often misunderstood by their struggles and overwhelmed.
The hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopause or menopausal change can increase emotional dysregulation, and executive dysfunction that is associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a balanced diet and finding an therapist who is familiar with adhd can help alleviate your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
For women, the diagnosis of ADHD can be more late in life than for males. This is due to a variety of factors, including the fact that women are more likely to have more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which is more easily spotted by other people) In addition, they tend to develop coping mechanisms to mask these symptoms and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, perimenopausal, and menopause can amplify symptoms.
Being aloof in conversations is a common symptom for women with ADD/ADHD. This can make it difficult for them to socialize and can exacerbate problems with impulsivity and inattention. Unhealthy coping behaviors such as shopping, watching TV (especially reality TV), and overeating, are also common in women with ADD/ADHD. Another common symptom of ADHD is difficulty remembering names. This can be aggravated by a variety of factors such as health issues, aging, and menopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD also have a higher risk of depression than men. Furthermore, women who suffer from ADD/ADHD are more likely to suffer from a myriad of other medical conditions and mental health issues, such as tics, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, and PTSD. To reduce and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD it is important to treat any underlying issues.
Women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to have difficulty getting good quality sleep as compared to other adults. This can lead to exhaustion, which exacerbates symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Sleep deficient or of poor quality can make it more difficult to focus at work, at the classroom, or in household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people mistakenly use the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" interchangeably, but sexuality refers to biology while gender is a social concept that is assigned at birth based on the person's internal sense of self as male female, male, or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexuality, genital anatomy, and the chromosomal makeup.
Whether you have ADD/ADHD, or not, there are many strategies that can help you improve your sleep and decrease stress. You can improve your sleep and focus by getting regular exercise, practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises, as well as creating a healthy sleeping routine.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD face unique difficulties when seeking treatment. It can be difficult for them to recognize symptoms in the individual, and it could be more difficult to access the help they need. They are more likely to conceal ADHD symptoms. They are therefore more likely to get a diagnosis later and receive less effective treatment than males.
The challenges of ADHD may be exacerbated because of hormonal changes that occur in menopausal and perimenopausal women. The decrease in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can cause emotional dysregulation to worsen and executive functioning issues are frequently associated with ADHD. In addition, the changes in blood flow that occur with aging can cause some cognitive declines that resemble ADHD symptoms. It is therefore essential that health care providers distinguish between a normal aspect of aging, and ADHD symptoms.
There are a variety of treatments available to people who suffer from ADHD. These include lifestyle changes and medications. A good sleep hygiene routine includes establishing a routine before bedtime, avoiding screen-time and eating a regular diet, can improve sleep. Exercise is also important and many people with ADHD find that meditation or yoga can help them relax. Talk to your doctor to determine the most effective treatment for you.
Certain people suffering from ADHD can benefit from joining a group of support. These groups can offer an environment where you can talk about the challenges that arise in work, relationships and other areas of your life when you have ADHD. Women who have ADHD could also benefit from individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching them strategies to deal with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can assist you in accepting your thoughts and feelings while replacing negative thinking patterns with more positive ones.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It will help you understand the reason you've struggled and give you a plan for improving your life. Some people opt to work with a professional coach who can help them learn behavioral strategies and develop goals for their life.
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. adhd in women treatment can include self-discipline strategies as well as lifestyle changes, therapy or counseling. Many people with ADHD implement stress management strategies, home and work accommodations, and nutrition changes into their daily schedules. Before beginning any of these methods, it is important to speak with a doctor to ensure that they are safe and suit your needs.
The negative impact on family relationships and friends is a major problem for women with undiagnosed ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Misunderstandings and criticisms from partners, spouses and coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms like absence, forgetfulness, and impulsive decision-making can also be frustrating to even the most understanding family members. Couples therapy classes that focus on communication and conflict resolution and other methods can help.
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from anxiety and depression. These conditions can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, some women might develop non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which may manifest as scratching, burning, or cutting. NSSI is a very dangerous symptom, which is usually caused by untreated ADHD. It is crucial to discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare professional.
Women suffering from ADHD might also experience feelings of shame or self-pity when they are misunderstood by others. This can cause lack of motivation, procrastination, and low self-esteem. A support system that can understand these struggles and teach you how to overcome these issues can make all the difference in the quality of your life.
ADHD symptoms can be influenced by varying levels estrogen during menstrual cycle, pregnancy and perimenopausal. Certain women experience more severe symptoms during these periods and need more medication to control their symptoms. Consult your physician about hormone replacement therapy. This can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD and control your body's production of estrogen. An ADHD coach can also assist you in developing a customized strategy to achieve your goals and feel in control of the day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The genetic DNA of a person - their chromosomal characteristics - determines their likelihood of developing certain disorders, including ADHD. Multiple studies have shown 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 first born, and gender at birth. These results suggest that ADHD has a shared genetic basis with these conditions, and also suggest that there are common neurobiological processes that link the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treat them. Masking could mean putting their entire energy into their career, hiding their troubles from their family and friends, or changing behaviors to meet social expectations. Some of these strategies are healthy, but others are not and can lead to a sense of exhaustion and overwhelm.
Additionally mothers and women are frequently expected to care for their children due to social and family expectations. Expectations that are higher and low self-esteem and the challenges associated with ADHD can lead to anxiety and depression. It is not uncommon for these emotions to trigger or even exacerbate ADHD symptoms, including mood shifts and feelings of unworthiness.
Women may experience more severe symptoms during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal symptoms as estrogen levels decrease. This could 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 a "lightbulb moment." They often feel at peace knowing that they have a rational explanation for their difficulties and can seek help and treatment. In some cases the diagnosis can allow the woman to forgive herself for the mistakes she has made in her life because of her ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is more than biology, and it is often difficult to distinguish the biological differences between males and women from socially constructed gender differences. This article is applicable to women and those who were deemed gender female at birth regardless of their gender identity.