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 are often misunderstood by their struggles and overwhelmed.
adhd in women checklist associated with perimenopausal and menopausal changes can exacerbate the emotional dysregulation and greater executive functioning difficulties associated with adhd. Exercise, a healthy diet, and seeking out an adhd-specific therapist can help alleviate your symptoms.
Symptoms
Women can be diagnosed with ADHD later in their lives. This is due to a number of factors, such as the fact that women are more likely to exhibit more apathy than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily observed by other people), they create coping mechanisms to hide these symptoms, as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy and perimenopause.
Women with ADD/ADHD tend to appear disoriented during conversations. This can make it difficult to communicate with others and can worsen their impulsivity or lack of attention. Poor coping habits like shopping, watching TV (especially reality TV) and eating too much, are also common in women with ADHD or ADD. Another sign of ADHD is the difficulty in remembering names. This can be exacerbated by a variety of factors such as health issues, aging and menopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to experience depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD are also at an increased chance of developing mental health conditions, including tics, eating disorder as well as fibromyalgia, PTSD. To lessen and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, it is crucial to treat any underlying condition.
Women with ADD/ADHD have a harder time getting a good night's sleep when in comparison to other adults. This can lead to exhaustion, which can worsen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Lack of sleep or a lack of quality sleep can make it more difficult to stay focused on work, school or household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people mistakenly use the terms "gender" and "ADD/ADHD" interchangeably, however the term "sex" refers to biology while gender is a social construct that is assigned at birth based on the person's internal sense of self as male female, nonbinary, or male. Gender is distinct from a person's sexuality as well as 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 reduce stress. Engaging in regular exercise, doing meditation or deep breathing exercises and establishing a healthy sleep routine can help you achieve better sleep and increase your ability to focus.
Treatment
Women who suffer from ADHD have unique experiences when seeking treatment for their condition. It is sometimes difficult to recognize symptoms in the individual, and it could be more difficult to access the assistance they require. They tend to hide ADHD symptoms. They are therefore more likely to get a diagnosis later and receive less effective treatment than men.
The challenges of ADHD are often exacerbated by hormonal changes associated with menopausal and perimenopausal. Progesterone and estrogen levels drop can increase the executive functioning and emotional issues that are often associated with ADHD. In addition, changes in blood flow associated with aging can trigger a cognitive declines that are similar to ADHD symptoms. It is therefore essential that health professionals distinguish between a normal aspect of aging, and ADHD symptoms.
There are a variety of treatment options for people with ADHD, including changes in lifestyle and medications. Practicing good sleep hygiene by establishing a bedtime routine, avoiding screen time before bed, and eating a regular diet - can improve sleep quality. Exercise is essential. Many people suffering from ADHD discover that yoga or meditation helps them relax. It's important to talk to your doctor about the treatments that are appropriate for you.
Certain people suffering from ADHD can benefit from joining a group for support. These groups provide the opportunity to talk in a safe environment about the issues you encounter in your relationships, at work, and in other aspects of your life when you're ADHD. Women with ADHD may benefit from either 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 thoughts with healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD is a life-changing event for women. It can help you discover the reason you've been struggling and provide you with an opportunity to improve your life. Some people also choose to work with a coach who can guide them through behavior strategies and help them establish goals for their lives.
Self-help
While there are a wide range of professional treatments for ADHD however, you can improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These methods could include self-discipline and lifestyle changes therapy, counseling, or both. Many people with ADHD also incorporate stress management techniques as well as home and work accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. Before you begin any of these techniques, it is important to consult with a medical professional to ensure they are safe and will meet your requirements.
The negative impact on family and relationships is a major problem for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Disagreements and criticisms from partners, spouses, and coworkers is common. ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, missing appointments, and making impulsive decisions can also test the patience of even the most understanding family members. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on communication and conflict resolution can help.
Some people who have ADHD are also afflicted by depression and anxiety which can cause ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, some women might suffer from non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which could be characterized as scratching, burning, or cutting. NSSI can be extremely dangerous and is often a symptom of untreated ADHD and it is important to speak with your healthcare provider about any concerns you have.
It is also typical for women suffering from ADHD to develop feelings of shame, depression or self-pity following being misunderstood or dismissed by other people. adhd in women checklist can lead to a lack of motivation, procrastination and a low self-esteem. Having a support system that can recognize these issues and help you cope with 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 perimenopause. Certain women experience more severe symptoms during these periods and require more medication to treat their symptoms. Talk to your doctor about a hormone replacement therapy to help manage your body's natural production estrogen and reduce the symptoms of ADHD. An ADHD coach can also help you develop tailored strategies to meet your goals and feel confident in control of the day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The genetic makeup of a person's chromosomes determines the risk of having certain disorders, including ADHD. Several different studies have reported that genetic correlations exist between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer, coronary heart disease, parents' age at death, and demographics, such as number of children in a family, the age of the child who was born first, and sex at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD has a shared genetic basis with these disorders. They also indicate that there are common neurobiological processes connecting the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. adhd traits in women can make it difficult to identify and treat them. This can include putting all their energy into their work, avoiding their problems from loved ones or altering their behavior to meet societal expectations. Some of these strategies are healthy, but 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 due to social and family expectations. The combination of higher expectations, low self-esteem, and the difficulties of living with ADHD can create a recipe for anxiety and depression. It is not unusual for these feelings to trigger or even exacerbate ADHD symptoms, like mood shifts and feelings of unworthiness.
Some women notice that their symptoms become worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or during menopausal perimenopausal periods as estrogen levels decrease. This could be due to the fact that the decrease in estrogen causes serotonin and dopamine levels to drop which can make the symptoms of ADHD worse.
Many women describe their ADHD diagnosis as an "lightbulb" moment. They are happy to finally have a reason for their issues and are now able to seek support and treatment. In certain instances the diagnosis enables 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 difficult to separate gender differences between males and females from socially constructed gender differences. This article applies to women and people who were assigned female at birth, regardless of their gender identity.