ADHD in Older Women
Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a common issue for women in their midlife years. Hormonal changes can make the problem worse. They are often misunderstood by their struggles and feel overwhelmed.
The hormonal fluctuations that accompany perimenopausal or menopause can amplify emotional dysregulation and executive dysfunction that is that are associated with adhd. Exercise and a healthy diet and finding a therapist that is familiar with adhd can improve your symptoms.
Symptoms
Women can be diagnosed with ADHD later in life. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that women are more likely to exhibit more inattention than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily noticed by others) and they create coping mechanisms to hide these symptoms, as well as hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and perimenopausal.
A lack of interest in conversations is a typical characteristic of women suffering from ADHD or ADD. This can make it difficult for them to interact with others and can worsen their impulsivity and inattention. Unhealthy coping behaviors like shopping, TV watching (especially reality TV) and eating too much are also common among women with ADD/ADHD. The difficulty in remembering names is another typical sign of ADHD for women. This can be aggravated by a myriad of factors particularly those related to age, health, and menopause.
Women with ADD/ADHD are also at higher risks of depression than men. In addition, women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to suffer from various other mental health disorders, including tics, eating disorders as well as fibromyalgia and PTSD. In order 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 a good night's sleep when in comparison to other adults. This can result in exhaustion which can exacerbate symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Sleep deprivation or lack of quality can make it difficult to concentrate on work, school, or household chores.
Verywell Health points out that many people misunderstand 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 an individual's inner self-perception of being male, female, or nonbinary. Gender is different from a person's sexual orientation or genital anatomy, as well as chromosomal make-up.
No matter if you suffer from ADD/ADHD or not, many of the same suggestions for improving sleep and reducing stress are applicable to. You can improve your concentration and sleep by doing regular exercise, performing meditation or deep breathing exercises and developing a healthy routine for sleeping.
Treatment
Women who suffer from ADHD have unique challenges when seeking treatment. It may be harder to identify symptoms in themselves, and can be more difficult to access the help they need. They are more likely to mask ADHD symptoms. In the end, they are more likely to receive late diagnoses and less likely to be treated as effectively as men.
The challenges of ADHD are often exacerbated by hormonal changes associated with menopausal and perimenopausal. The decrease in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can cause emotional dysregulation to worsen, and executive functioning issues are often linked to ADHD. Additionally, the changes in blood flow associated with aging may cause cognitive decline that mimics ADHD symptoms. It's crucial that health care providers distinguish between a normal aspect of aging and ADHD symptoms.
There are many 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 a regular diet - can improve sleep quality. Exercise is also essential and many people who suffer from ADHD find that meditative or yoga helps to relax. It's important to talk to your doctor about what treatments are right for you.
Some people who suffer from ADHD benefit from joining a support group. These groups can offer the opportunity to talk in a safe environment about the difficulties that arise in relationships, work and other areas of your life when you have ADHD. Women who have ADHD might benefit from either individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching them strategies to deal with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to help you accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing negative thought patterns with more positive ones.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It can help you understand why you've had a hard time, and it can give you a direction for improving your life. Many people choose to engage a coach who can teach them ways to manage their behavior and help them develop goals for their lives.
Self-help
There's a broad range of professional treatments for ADHD, you can also improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These strategies could include self-discipline, lifestyle modifications or therapy. Many people who suffer from ADHD also implement stress management strategies as well as home and work modifications to their diet, and accommodations into their daily routines. Before you begin any of these methods it is essential to consult a healthcare professional to ensure that they are safe and will meet your needs.
The negative impact on family relationships and friends is a major problem for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Misunderstandings and criticisms from partners, spouses and colleagues are not uncommon. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, missing appointments, and impulsive decisions can also strain the patience of even the most understanding loved ones. Couples therapy and classes that focus on conflict resolution and communication can be helpful.
Some people who have ADHD also struggle with anxiety and depression which can cause ADHD symptoms. In addition, some women develop non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which could manifest as scratching, burning, or cutting. NSSI can be extremely risky and is often an symptom of untreated ADHD, so it is important to speak with your doctor about any concerns you have.
It is also typical for women with ADHD to develop feelings of depression, shame or self-pity following being disregarded or criticized by other people. This can result in feelings of self-doubt, procrastination, and a lack motivation. Supporting a person who can understand these struggles and teach you how to overcome them can make a huge difference to your quality of life.
ADHD symptoms can be affected by the varying levels estrogen during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopausal. Women who suffer from worsening symptoms during these cycles and require more medication to control their symptoms. Consider talking with your doctor about the possibility of a hormone replacement therapy to control the body's natural production of estrogen and lessen the symptoms of ADHD. A ADHD coach can also assist you in establishing a specific strategy to achieve your goals and feel confident in control of your day-to-day tasks.
Genetics
The genetic makeup of a person's DNA - their chromosomal traits - determines the risk of developing certain disorders, like ADHD. Numerous studies have proven 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 like the number of children, the age of the first born, and gender at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD has a shared genetic cause with these disorders. They also suggest that there are common neurobiological factors linking the two conditions.
Women with ADHD might develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms, which can make it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated. Masking could mean investing all their energy in their career, hiding their issues from their family and friends, or changing behaviors to conform to social expectations. adhd in women symptoms of these strategies could be healthy, however some aren't. They can leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
In addition, societal expectations and family expectations often place the burden of caretaking on mothers and women. The combination of increased expectations, low self-esteem and the difficulties of living with ADHD can be an ideal recipe for depression and anxiety. These emotions can trigger or intensify ADHD-related symptoms like mood swings, feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.
Some women notice that their symptoms are worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when estrogen levels drop. This is likely due to the the reduction in estrogen causes seletonin and dopamine levels to decrease which can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women describe their ADHD diagnosis as being a "lightbulb moment." They often feel relieved that they finally have a rational explanation for their struggles and can now seek help and treatment. In some cases the diagnosis enables people to accept the misfortunes that they have experienced in their lives because of their ADHD symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is more than just biology and it can be difficult to separate the biological gender differences between males and females from gender stereotypes that are socially constructed. This article is applicable to all women and those assigned female at birth regardless of their declared gender identity.