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ADHD in Older Women Many women* in midlife struggle with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD complicated by hormonal changes. They are often misunderstood in their struggles and are overwhelmed. Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause amplify the emotional dysregulation and increase executive functioning difficulties that are associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet and finding a therapist familiar with adhd can help alleviate your symptoms. Symptoms For women, the diagnosis of ADHD can be more late in life than for men. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that women are more likely to exhibit more inattentive 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. Being aloof in conversations is a typical sign of women suffering from ADHD or ADD. This makes it difficult for them to connect socially and can cause problems with inattention and impulsivity. Women with ADHD are also more prone to unhealthy coping habits like shopping or watching television (especially reality shows) or eating too much. Trouble remembering names is a common sign of ADHD for women. This can be made worse by a variety of circumstances particularly those that have to do with health, aging, and menopause. Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD are more likely to struggle with depression than men. Furthermore, women who suffer from ADD/ADHD are more prone to a variety of other mental health issues, such as tics, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, and PTSD. In order to reduce and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, it is essential to treat any underlying conditions. Women with ADD/ADHD also suffer from difficulty getting good quality sleep as compared 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 harder to concentrate on school, work, or household chores. Verywell Health notes that many people confuse "gender" with "ADD/ADHD". However, sex is biology and gender is a social construct that is based on a person’s internal sense of themselves as male, female or non-binary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexual orientation as well as genital anatomy and chromosomal makeup. Whatever your condition, whether you have ADHD or ADD, a lot of the same suggestions to improve your sleep and reduce stress are applicable to. You can improve your focus and sleep by engaging in regular exercise, practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises, as well as developing a healthy routine for sleeping. Treatment Women who suffer from ADHD have unique difficulties when seeking treatment. It is sometimes difficult to identify symptoms in themselves, and it can be more difficult to get the help they need. They are more likely to conceal ADHD symptoms. They are also more likely to receive a diagnosis later and receive less effective treatment than males. The difficulties of ADHD can be made more difficult by hormonal changes that happen during perimenopause or menopause. Drops in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can cause emotional dysregulation to worsen and executive functioning issues that are often associated with ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that happen with aging can also trigger cognitive decline that mimics ADHD symptoms. add women is therefore essential to make sure that health professionals can differentiate between a normal part of aging and ADHD symptoms. There are several treatment options for people with ADHD that include lifestyle changes and medications. Good sleep hygiene, such as establishing a routine before bed, avoiding screens and eating a regular diet, can improve sleep. Exercise is also essential, and many people with ADHD discover that meditation or yoga helps to relax. It's important to talk to your doctor about what treatments are best for you. Some people who suffer from ADHD can benefit from joining an ADHD support group. These groups offer a safe place to discuss the challenges you face in your relationships at work, in your relationships, and other areas of your life when you have ADHD. Women with ADHD may also benefit by engaging in group or individual therapy that is focused on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Therapy may also include cognitive behavior therapy, which helps you learn to accept your thoughts and feelings, while swapping out negative patterns of thinking for healthier ones. Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing event for women. It can help you understand why you've had a hard time, and it can give you a direction to help you improve your life. Some people opt to work with an expert coach who can help them develop strategies for coping with stress and set goals for their life. Self-help You can improve your health by tackling it. There are a variety of professional treatment options for ADHD. These strategies can include self-discipline techniques, lifestyle modifications, and therapy or counseling. Many people suffering from ADHD also implement stress management strategies as well as home and work adjustments, and changes to their diet into their daily routines. It is essential to consult with a medical professional prior to commencing any of these techniques to ensure that they are suitable for you and will meet all of your needs. The negative impact on family and relationships is a major problem for women with undiagnosed ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Disagreements and criticisms from partners, spouses and coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, absence of appointments, and impulsive decisions can also test the patience of even the most understanding loved ones. Couples therapy, classes that emphasize conflict resolution and communication, and other methods can help. Some people with ADHD are also afflicted by anxiety and depression which can cause ADHD symptoms. Some women may also develop non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury that could take the form of cutting, burning, or scratching. NSSI is a dangerous symptom that is often caused by untreated ADHD. It is essential to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor. It is also common for women with ADHD to develop feelings of depression, shame, or self-pity after being misunderstood or dismissed by other people. This can cause lack of motivation, procrastination and a low self-esteem. Supporting a person who can understand these struggles and teach you how to overcome them can make all the difference in the quality of your life. The different levels of estrogen that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and perimenopausal periods can affect your ADHD symptoms. Some women notice that their symptoms get worse during these periods and require more medication to manage the symptoms. Talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. This can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD and help regulate your body's production levels of estrogen. Lastly, an ADHD coach can help you create a specific strategy to meet your goals and feel more in control of your day-today tasks. Genetics The chromosomal makeup of a person determines the risk of having certain diseases, such as ADHD. Multiple studies have shown that there are genetic links between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer or coronary artery disease. parents who died at a certain age and demographics such as the number of children, age of the first child and gender at birth. These results suggest that ADHD has a common genetic basis with these disorders. They also indicate that there are common neurobiological processes that link the two conditions. Women who suffer from ADHD might develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms, which could make it harder to diagnose and treated. Masking may mean investing all their energy into their job, hiding their issues from their family and friends or changing their behavior to meet social expectations. Some of these strategies could be beneficial, but others are not. They can result in feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. In addition, mothers and women are frequently required to look after their children due to societal and familial expectations. The combination of higher expectations, low self-esteem and the challenges of living with ADHD can create an ideal recipe for anxiety and depression. These feelings can trigger or intensify symptoms associated with ADHD such as mood swings, feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. add and adhd in women experience more severe symptoms during pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal symptoms as estrogen levels decrease. This is likely due to the fact that the reduction in estrogen can cause seletonin and dopamine levels to drop, which can make ADHD symptoms worse. Many women describe their ADHD diagnoses as a "lightbulb" moment. They are happy to finally have an explanation for their problems, and can now seek help and treatment. In certain instances the diagnosis can allow people to accept 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 distinctions. This article is applicable to women and people who were designated gender female at birth regardless of their gender identity.
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