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ADHD in Older Women Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a frequent issue for women in their midlife years. Hormonal changes can make the problem worse. Many women report feeling unappreciated and overwhelmed by their struggles. The hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopause or menopausal change can increase emotional dysregulation and executive functioning problems that are associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet, and seeking out an adhd-specific therapist can ease your symptoms. Signs and symptoms For women, a diagnosis of ADHD may come later in life than it does for men. This is due to many factors, such as the fact that women tend to exhibit more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which is more easily observed by other people) They often develop coping mechanisms to mask these symptoms and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, perimenopausal, and menopause can amplify symptoms. Women with ADD/ADHD often appear distant during conversations. This makes it difficult for them to connect socially and can exacerbate problems with inattention and impulsivity. Women with ADD/ADHD are also prone to unhealthy coping behaviors like shopping, watching television (especially reality shows) or overeating. Another common sign of ADHD is the difficulty in remembering names. This can be aggravated in a number of ways as well as by health issues, aging, and menopausal. Women with ADD/ADHD are more likely to struggle with depression than men. Furthermore, women who suffer from ADD/ADHD are more prone to a myriad of other mental health disorders including eating disorders, tics as well as fibromyalgia and PTSD. In order to reduce and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, it is important to treat any underlying condition. Women with ADD/ADHD suffer from difficulty getting good quality sleep compared to other adults. This can result in exhaustion, which can worsen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Lack of sleep or a lack of quality sleep can make it difficult to focus on work, school or household chores. Verywell Health points out that many people mistakenly use the terms “gender” and “ADD/ADHD” in the same way, however the term “sex” refers to biology while gender is a social concept that is assigned at birth based on the person's inner self-perception of being male female, nonbinary, or male. Gender is different from a person's sexual orientation or genital anatomy, as well as the chromosomal makeup. If you suffer from ADD/ADHD or not, there are plenty of tips that can help improve sleep and ease stress. You can improve your concentration and sleep by doing regular exercise, practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises and making a healthy sleep routine. Treatment Women with ADHD have their own unique challenges when it comes to seeking treatment for their condition. It can be challenging for women with ADHD to identify their symptoms and receive the help that they need. They tend to hide ADHD symptoms. In the end, they are more likely to receive late diagnoses and are less likely to be treated with the same efficiency as men. The difficulties of ADHD are often exacerbated due to hormonal changes that take place during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles. Dips in estrogen and progesterone can cause an increase in the emotional dysregulation and executive functioning issues that are common to ADHD. In addition, the changes in blood flow that occur with aging can trigger a cognitive declines that are similar to ADHD symptoms. It's crucial that health care providers distinguish between normal signs of aging, and ADHD symptoms. There are several treatment options available to people suffering from ADHD that include changes in lifestyle and medications. Good sleep hygiene like establishing a routine before bed, avoiding screens and eating regularly can improve sleep. adhd symptoms women is important. Many people suffering from ADHD discover that yoga or meditation helps them relax. You should talk to your doctor to determine the best treatment for you. Some people with ADHD are benefited by joining an organization for support. These groups offer 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 have ADHD. Women with 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 healthier ones. A diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It can help you understand why you've had a hard time and can provide you a framework to improve your life. Some people choose to work with an expert coach who can help them develop strategies for coping with stress and set goals for their life. Self-help There is a wide selection of professional treatment options for ADHD and other disorders, you can improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These strategies can include self-discipline methods and lifestyle modifications, as well as therapy or counseling. Many people suffering from ADHD employ stress management techniques, home and work accommodations and changes to their diet into their daily schedules. Before beginning any of these strategies, it is important to speak with a doctor to ensure they are safe and meet your needs. The negative impact on relationships and family members is a major issue for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Misunderstandings and criticisms from partners, spouses and coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, absence of appointments, and impulsive choices can also test the patience of even the most understanding family members. Couples therapy classes that focus on the ability to communicate and resolve conflicts, and other techniques can help. Some people with ADHD also struggle with anxiety and depression which can cause ADHD symptoms. Women may also experience non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury, which can be in the form of burning, cutting, or scratching. NSSI can be extremely dangerous and is often a symptom of untreated ADHD and it is crucial to talk with your healthcare professional regarding any concerns you may have. Women who suffer from ADHD may also develop feelings of shame or self-pity when they are viewed as a victim by other people. This can result in low self-esteem, procrastination and a lack of motivation. Having a support system that can understand these struggles and teach you how to overcome them can make all the difference in the quality of your life. The varying levels of estrogen that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopausal cycles can impact your ADHD symptoms. Some women find that their symptoms worsen during these times and require more medication to manage them. Talk to your doctor about a hormone replacement therapy to regulate your 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 reach your goals and feel confident in control of your day-to-day tasks. Genetics The genetic makeup of a person's chromosomes determines the risk for certain diseases, such as ADHD. Multiple studies have shown that there are genetic correlations between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer, coronary artery disease, parents age at death, and demographics such as the number of children, age of first born and gender at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD is a genetic basis with these disorders. They also indicate that there are common neurobiological factors that link the two conditions. Women suffering from ADHD might develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. This can make it difficult to identify and treat them. Masking may mean investing all their energy into their career, hiding their troubles from their family and friends, or changing behaviors in order to satisfy social expectations. Some of these strategies are healthy, while others aren't, and could cause a feeling of being overwhelmed and exhausted. Additionally mothers and women are frequently required to look after their children because of societal and family expectations. A higher expectation, low self esteem, and the challenges that come with ADHD can lead to depression and anxiety. These emotions can trigger or worsen symptoms associated with ADHD like mood fluctuations, feelings of inadequate and anxiety. Some women experience worsening symptoms during menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause when estrogen levels drop. This is likely to be due to the fact that the decline in estrogen causes dopamine and serotonin levels to fall, which can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. Many women have described their ADHD diagnoses as being a “lightbulb” moment. They feel relieved to finally understand the reason for their problems, and can now seek support and treatment. In certain cases the diagnosis enables them to forgive themselves for the misfortunes that they have endured in their lives as a result of their ADHD symptoms. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is more than just biology and it is often difficult to distinguish the biological differences between males and females from gender stereotypes that are socially constructed. This article applies to all women as well as those assigned female at birth regardless of their confirmed gender identity.