ADHD in Older Women
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a common problem among women* in their midlife years. Hormonal changes can make the issue worse. They are often misunderstood in their struggles and feel overwhelmed.
Hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopausal and menopausal cycles can intensify the emotional dysregulation, and can cause greater executive functioning difficulties associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet and finding an adhd-specific therapist can help alleviate your symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
For women, a diagnosis of ADHD may come later in life than for males. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that women tend present with more inattentive than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily observed by other people) and they create coping mechanisms to hide these symptoms, and also hormonal changes during pregnancy and perimenopausal.
Women with ADD/ADHD often appear distant during conversations. This can make it difficult for them to socialize and can lead to problems with impulsivity and inattention. Unhealthy coping behaviors like shopping, watching TV (especially reality TV) and eating too much, are also common in women with ADHD or ADD. Having trouble remembering names is another typical indication of ADHD in women. It can be caused by a variety of circumstances that are connected to health, aging, or menopause.
Women with ADD/ADHD are also at an increased risk of developing depression than men. Additionally, women with ADD/ADHD are more susceptible to various other medical conditions and mental health issues, like tics, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, and PTSD. It is important to treat these conditions in order to control and alleviate symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
Women with ADD/ADHD have a harder time getting a good night's sleep when in comparison to other adults. This can cause exhaustion, which can worsen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Lack of sleep or a lack of quality sleep can make it difficult to concentrate on school, work or household chores.
Verywell Health notes that many people mistake "gender" with "ADD/ADHD". However, sex is biology and gender is a social construct based on an individual's internal perception of themselves as male, female or nonbinary. Gender is different from a person's sexual preference or genital anatomy, as well as the chromosomal makeup.
Whatever your condition, whether you have ADHD or ADD, a lot of the same suggestions for improving your sleep and reducing stress apply. You can improve your concentration and sleep by doing regular exercise, practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises, and creating a healthy sleeping routine.
Treatment
Women with ADHD have their own unique challenges when it comes to seeking treatment for their condition. It is sometimes difficult to identify symptoms in themselves, and it can be more difficult to get the help they require. They are also more likely to mask their ADHD symptoms. This means that they are more likely to receive later diagnoses and less likely to be treated with the same efficiency as men.
The challenges of ADHD can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that are associated with menopausal and perimenopausal. Drops in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can lead to an increase in emotional dysregulation, and executive functioning issues are often linked to ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that occur with age can also lead to cognitive decline that mimics ADHD symptoms. This is why it's important for health professionals to be aware of the differences between a normal part of aging and real ADHD symptoms.
There are a myriad of treatment options for those who suffer from ADHD. These include lifestyle changes and medications. Making sure you are practicing good sleep hygiene by establishing a bedtime routine and avoiding screens before going to bed and eating regular meals will improve the quality of sleep. Exercise is important. Many people suffering from ADHD find that meditation or yoga can help them relax. It is important to talk with your doctor to determine the most effective treatment for you.
Some people who suffer from ADHD benefit from joining a support group. These groups provide an opportunity to talk about the issues you encounter in your relationships, at work, and in other areas of your life when you are ADHD. Women with ADHD can also benefit from engaging in group or individual therapy that is focused on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to help you accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing negative thinking patterns with healthier ones.
A diagnosis of ADHD is a life-changing event for women. It can help you understand why you've had a hard time and can provide you a direction to help you improve your life. Some people opt to work with a professional coach who can assist them to discover strategies for managing their behavior and create goals for their lives.
Self-help
You can improve your condition by tackling it. There are a myriad of professional treatments available for ADHD. These strategies include self-discipline methods as well as lifestyle changes, therapy or counseling. Many people who suffer from ADHD also incorporate stress management techniques such as work and home modifications to their diet, and accommodations into their daily routines. Before beginning any of these techniques it is essential to consult with a medical professional to ensure they are safe and will meet your requirements.
One of the main challenges for women suffering from undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it has on their relationships and family members. Misunderstandings and criticism from spouses or colleagues are common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness late appointments, and impulsive decisions can also test the patience of even the most understanding loved ones. Couples therapy and classes that focus on communication and conflict resolution can help.
Some people with ADHD have anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Some women also develop non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury that can be in the form of cutting, burning or scratching. NSSI is a potentially dangerous symptom, which is usually caused by untreated ADHD. It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare provider.
It is also normal for women with ADHD to develop feelings of depression, shame, or self-pity after being ignored or disregarded by others. This can result in low self-esteem, procrastination and a lack of motivation. A support system that is aware of these issues and helps you learn to deal with them can make a huge impact on your life.
The different levels of estrogen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and perimenopausal cycles can affect your ADHD symptoms. Some women find that their symptoms get worse during these times and require more medication to control the symptoms. Talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. This can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD and regulate the body's production of estrogen. Lastly you can consult an ADHD coach can assist you to create a specific strategy to meet your goals and feel more in control of your day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The genetic DNA of a person - their chromosomal traits - determines the risk of developing certain disorders, such as ADHD. Multiple studies have shown that there are genetic correlations between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer, coronary artery disease, parents who died at a certain age 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 cause with these disorders, and they also indicate that there are common neurobiological factors that link the two conditions.
Women who suffer from ADHD may develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms, which can make it harder to be diagnosed and treated. Masking may mean putting their entire energy into their job, hiding their troubles from their family and friends or altering their behavior in order to satisfy social expectations. Some of these strategies could be beneficial, but others are not. adhd in young women can lead to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
Additionally, mothers and women are typically expected to take care of their children because of societal and familial expectations. Increased expectations and self-esteem issues and the challenges associated with ADHD can cause depression and anxiety. These feelings can trigger or worsen ADHD-related symptoms like mood swings, feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.
Certain women experience symptoms are worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or during perimenopause and menopause when estrogen levels drop. This is likely to 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 diagnoses as an "lightbulb" moment. They are happy to finally understand the reason for their issues and are now able to seek help and therapy. In some cases the diagnosis allows the woman to forgive herself for the mistakes she has made in her life because of her ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just biology. It can be challenging to discern gender differences between men and women from socially constructed differences in gender. This article is applicable to all women as well as those assigned female at birth, regardless of their affirmed gender identity.