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ADHD in Older Women Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a common problem among women* in their midlife. Hormonal changes can make the situation worse. They are often misunderstood in their struggles and overwhelmed. Hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause and menopausal cycles can intensify the emotional dysregulation, and can cause greater executive functioning problems that are caused by adhd. Exercise, eating a balanced diet, and seeking out a therapist familiar with adhd can help alleviate your symptoms. Signs and symptoms For women, a diagnosis of ADHD may come later in life than for men. This is due to many reasons, including the fact that women are more likely to exhibit more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which is more easily noticed by other people), they often develop coping mechanisms that mask these symptoms and hormonal changes during pregnancy, perimenopausal changes, and menopause can amplify symptoms. People with ADD/ADHD are often absent in conversations. This makes it difficult to make connections with others and can exacerbate problems with impulsivity and inattention. Poor coping habits like shopping, watching TV (especially reality TV), and overeating, are also common in women suffering from ADD/ADHD. The difficulty in remembering names is another common indication of ADHD for women. This can be aggravated by a variety of circumstances that are related to health, aging, and menopausal. Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD also have a higher risk of depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD are also at a higher risk of developing other mental health problems, including eating disorders, tics as well as fibromyalgia, PTSD. It is essential to treat these disorders to manage and reduce symptoms of ADD/ADHD. It can also be more difficult for women suffering from ADD/ADHD to get enough sleep than other adults. This can cause exhaustion, which exacerbates symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Insufficient or poor quality sleep can make it harder to concentrate at work, in the classroom, or in household chores. Verywell Health points out that many people mistakenly use the terms “gender” and “ADD/ADHD” interchangeably, but the term “sex” refers to biology while gender is a social construct that is assigned at birth based on a person's internal sense of self as male female, male, or nonbinary. Gender is different from a person's sexual preference or genital anatomy, as well as chromosomal make-up. If you suffer from ADD/ADHD or not, there are many ways to improve your sleep and ease stress. Engaging in regular exercise, doing meditation or deep breathing exercises and establishing a healthy sleep routine can help you get better sleep and increase your ability to focus. Treatment Women with ADHD face unique challenges when seeking treatment. It can be difficult for women with ADHD to recognize their symptoms and to get the help that they need. They are more likely to mask ADHD symptoms. They are also more likely to get a diagnosis later and receive less effective treatment than the men. The difficulties of ADHD can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause. Progesterone and estrogen levels can cause emotional dysregulation to worsen, and executive functioning issues that are often linked to ADHD. In addition, the changes in blood flow that occur with aging can trigger a cognitive declines that resemble ADHD symptoms. As a result, it's important for health professionals to be aware of the distinction between a natural part of aging and real ADHD symptoms. There are a variety of treatment options available for people who suffer from ADHD. These include lifestyle changes as well as medication. Making sure you are practicing good sleep hygiene such as establishing a routine for bedtime, avoiding screen time before going to bed and eating regularly will improve the quality of sleep. Exercise is also important for those who suffer from ADHD find that meditative or yoga can help to relax. It is important to speak with your doctor about the treatments that are appropriate for you. Some people with ADHD might benefit by joining a group of support. These groups can offer an environment where you can talk about the difficulties that arise in work, relationships and other areas of life when you suffer from ADHD. Women with ADHD could benefit from either individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching them strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can assist you in accepting your thoughts and feelings while replacing negative thinking patterns with healthier ones. Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women. It can help you understand why you've struggled, and it can give you a direction to improve your life. Some people also choose to collaborate with an expert coach who can guide them through behavioral strategies and help them establish goals for their lives. Self-help You can improve your health by tackling it. There are a myriad of professional treatments available for ADHD. These strategies could include self-discipline, lifestyle modifications, therapy, or counseling. Many people with ADHD employ stress management techniques, home and work accommodations, and nutrition changes into their daily schedules. Before beginning any of these strategies, it is important to consult with a medical professional to ensure they are safe and meet your needs. One of the major issues for women suffering from undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it can have on their relationships as well as family members. Disagreements and criticisms from spouses, partners and coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, missed appointments and impulsive decision-making may also be a source of frustration for the most tolerant family members. Couples therapy classes that focus on conflict resolution and communication, and other methods can help. Certain people with ADHD also suffer from depression and anxiety. These conditions can worsen ADHD symptoms. Some women may also develop non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury that may take the form of cutting, burning, or scratching. NSSI is a very risky symptom that is typically caused by untreated ADHD. It is crucial to discuss any concerns with your healthcare professional. Women with ADHD can also experience feelings of self-pity or shame when they are misunderstood by others. women and adhd can lead to a lack of motivation, procrastination and low self-esteem. Supporting a person who can understand these struggles and help you overcome these issues can make all the difference to your quality of life. ADHD symptoms are influenced by varying levels estrogen during pregnancy, menstrual cycle, and perimenopausal. Some women notice that their symptoms worsen during these periods and require more medication to manage the symptoms. Think about talking to your doctor about a hormone replacement therapy to manage the body's natural production of estrogen and reduce the symptoms of ADHD. An ADHD coach can also help you develop tailored strategies to meet your goals and feel in control of your day-to-day tasks. Genetics The chromosomal makeup of a person determines the risk of developing certain disorders including ADHD. Numerous studies have revealed that genetic correlations exist between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer and coronary heart disease. parents' age at death and demographics like the number of children in a family, age of the child who was born first and the gender of the child at birth. These results suggest that ADHD has a shared genetic cause with these disorders. They also indicate that there are common neurobiological processes connecting the two conditions. Women who suffer from ADHD might develop strategies for coping to hide their symptoms, which may make it harder to diagnose and treated. Masking can include investing all their energy in their career, hiding their troubles from their family members or altering their behavior in order to satisfy social expectations. Some of these strategies are healthy, but others aren't and could lead to a sense of exhaustion and overwhelm. Additionally mothers and women are typically expected to take care of their children because of societal and family expectations. The combination of increased expectations, low self-esteem and the difficulties of living with ADHD can create an ideal recipe for depression and anxiety. It is not uncommon for these emotions to trigger or worsen ADHD symptoms, including mood fluctuations and feelings of inadequateness. Certain women experience symptoms become worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles, when estrogen decreases. This could be due to the fact that the diminution in estrogen can cause seletonin and dopamine levels to drop, which can make ADHD symptoms worse. Many women describe their ADHD diagnosis as an “lightbulb” moment. They feel relieved to finally have a reason for their issues and are now able to seek help and treatment. In undiagnosed adhd in women enables 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 challenging to separate biological differences between males and females from socially constructed gender distinctions. This article is applicable to all women as well as those assigned female at birth regardless of their confirmed gender identity.