ADHD in Older Women
Many womenin their middle age suffer from undiagnosed and untreated ADHD complicated by hormonal changes. They are often misunderstood in their struggles and overwhelmed.
Hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause and menopause amplify the emotional dysregulation and greater executive functioning issues that can be caused by adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet and finding a therapist familiar with adhd can ease your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
For women, the diagnosis of ADHD could be later in life than for men. This is due to a variety of factors, including that women typically exhibit more apathy than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily observed by others) They also develop strategies to disguise these symptoms, as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy and perimenopause.
Women with ADD/ADHD often appear distant during conversations. This can make it difficult to connect with other people and can increase their impulsivity or lack of attention. Women with ADD/ADHD are also susceptible to unhealthy coping strategies like shopping or watching television (especially reality shows) or overeating. Another common sign of ADHD is the difficulty in remembering names. This can be caused in a number of ways as well as by health issues, aging and menopause.
Women with ADD/ADHD also have higher risks of depression than men. Furthermore, women who suffer from ADD/ADHD are more prone to a myriad of other mental health disorders including tics, eating disorders and fibromyalgia. PTSD. It is crucial to treat these issues in order to control and reduce symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
It is also harder for women with ADD/ADHD 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 school, work or household chores.
Verywell Health notes that many people confuse "gender" with "ADD/ADHD". However sexuality is a biological phenomenon 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 as well as genital anatomy and the chromosomal makeup.
Whatever your condition, whether you have ADHD or ADD, many of the same strategies for improving your sleep and reducing stress apply. 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 focus.
Treatment
Women who suffer from ADHD have different experiences when seeking treatment for their condition. It can be difficult for them to identify symptoms in themselves, and can be more difficult to get the help they require. They tend to hide ADHD symptoms. They are therefore more likely to get a late diagnosis and receive less effective treatment than males.
The difficulties of ADHD can be exacerbated by hormonal changes associated with menopausal and perimenopausal. The fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can increase the executive dysfunction and emotional issues that are often associated with ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that occur with age can also lead to cognitive decline that mimics ADHD symptoms. Therefore, it's important for health professionals to recognize the differences between the natural occurrences of aging and genuine ADHD symptoms.
There are many treatments for people suffering from ADHD, including changes in lifestyle and medications. Making sure you are practicing good sleep hygiene - setting a bedtime routine and avoiding time spent on screens prior to bed, and eating a regular diet will improve the quality of sleep. Exercise is also essential and many people who suffer from ADHD find that meditation or yoga can help to relax. It is important to speak with your doctor about which treatments are best for you.
Certain people suffering from ADHD benefit from joining a support group. These groups can offer 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 with ADHD might also benefit from individual or group therapy which focuses on teaching them strategies to deal with their ADHD. Therapy can include cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you accept your thoughts and feelings while changing negative thoughts for healthier ones.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing event for women. It will help you understand the reason you've struggled, and it can give you a direction to improve your life. Some people also choose to engage coaches who can help them learn behavioral strategies and help them develop goals for their lives.
Self-help
You can improve your condition by tackling it. There are a myriad of professional solutions for ADHD. These strategies include self-discipline techniques and lifestyle modifications, as well as therapy or counseling. Many people with ADHD also incorporate stress management techniques, work and home life accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. It is important to speak with a medical professional prior to starting any of these methods to ensure they are safe for you and meet all of your requirements.
The negative impact on family relationships and friends is a major problem for women with undiagnosed ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. adhd in women signs and criticism from spouses, partners, and colleagues are common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, missed appointments, and impulsive decision-making can cause frustration to the most tolerant family members. Couples therapy, classes that emphasize communication and conflict resolution and other strategies can be helpful.
Some people with ADHD have anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Additionally, some women may suffer from non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which may be characterized as burning, scratching, or cutting. NSSI can be extremely risky and is often an indication of untreated ADHD It is important to speak with your doctor regarding any concerns you may have.
Women with ADHD can also experience feelings of self-pity or shame when they are viewed as a victim by other people. This can lead to a lack of motivation, procrastination and low self-esteem. Supporting a person who can recognize these issues and teach you how to overcome these issues can make all the difference in the quality of your life.
The different levels of estrogen that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and perimenopause can have an effect on your ADHD symptoms. Some women notice that their symptoms worsen during these periods and require more medication to manage these symptoms. 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 also assist you in establishing a specific strategy to achieve your goals and feel more in control of your daily tasks.
Genetics
The genetic DNA of a person and chromosomal characteristics determines the risk of developing certain disorders, including ADHD. Numerous studies have demonstrated that there are genetic connections between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer or 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 conditions, and also suggest that there are common neurobiological factors linking the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treat them. Masking may mean investing all their energy in their career, hiding their troubles from their family and friends or changing their behavior in order to satisfy social expectations. attention deficit disorder in women of these methods are healthy, however others aren't and could cause a feeling of being overwhelmed and exhausted.
In addition mothers and women are typically required to look after their children because of societal and familial expectations. Increased expectations and low self-esteem and the challenges that come with ADHD can lead to anxiety and depression. These emotions can trigger or intensify symptoms associated with ADHD such as mood fluctuation, feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.
Certain women experience more severe symptoms during pregnancy, menstruation, perimenopause or menopause as estrogen levels decrease. This could be due to the fact that the decline in estrogen causes serotonin and dopamine levels to drop, which can make the symptoms of ADHD worse.
Many women describe their ADHD diagnoses as a "lightbulb" moment. They feel relieved to finally have an explanation for their struggles, and can now seek help and treatment. In certain cases the diagnosis can allow them to be able to forgive themselves for the misfortunes that they have experienced in their lives because of their ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just biology. It can be challenging to separate biological differences between women and men from socially constructed differences in gender. This article applies to all women and those assigned female at birth regardless of their declared gender identity.