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ADHD in Older Women Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is a common issue among women* in their midlife years. Hormonal changes can make the problem worse. They often feel misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles. Hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause and menopause amplify the emotional dysregulation, and can cause greater executive functioning problems that are caused by adhd. Exercise, a healthy diet and finding a therapist familiar with adhd can help alleviate your symptoms. Symptoms Women can be diagnosed with ADHD later in the course of their lives. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that women tend to have more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which is more easily spotted by others) In addition, they tend to develop coping mechanisms that mask these symptoms and hormonal changes during pregnancy, perimenopause and menopausal cycles can increase symptoms. A lack of interest in conversations is a common symptom for women with ADD/ADHD. This can make it difficult to make connections with others and can exacerbate problems with inattention and impulsivity. adhd women uk with ADHD are also susceptible to unhealthy coping strategies like shopping and watching television (especially reality shows), or overeating. Trouble remembering names is another typical indication of ADHD in women. It can be made worse by a variety of circumstances, especially those that have to do with health, aging, or menopause. Women with ADD/ADHD are also at an increased risk of developing depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD also have greater risk of developing other mental health conditions, including tics, eating disorder as well as fibromyalgia, PTSD. It is crucial to treat these issues to manage and reduce symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Women with ADD/ADHD also are more likely to have difficulty getting a good night's sleep when as compared to other adults. This can lead to exhaustion which can exacerbate symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Insufficient or low-quality sleep can make it difficult to concentrate on school, work or household chores. Verywell Health points out that many people mistakenly use the terms “gender” and “ADD/ADHD” interchangeably, however the term “sex” refers to biology while gender is a social concept that is assigned at birth based on the person's internal sense of self as male female, nonbinary, or male. Gender is distinct from a person’s sexual orientation, genital anatomies, and chromosomal make-up. No matter if you suffer from ADHD or ADD, a lot of the same suggestions for improving sleep and reducing 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 making a healthy sleep routine. Treatment Women suffering from ADHD have different experiences when it comes to seeking treatment for their condition. It can be challenging for women with ADHD to identify their symptoms and to get the assistance they require. They are also more likely to mask their ADHD symptoms. They are therefore more likely to get a diagnosis later and receive less effective treatment than males. The challenges of ADHD can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that are associated with menopausal and perimenopausal. Progesterone and estrogen levels can cause emotional dysregulation to worsen, and executive functioning issues are frequently associated with ADHD. In addition, changes in blood flow associated with aging may cause cognitive declines that resemble ADHD symptoms. Therefore, it's important for health care providers to be aware of the differences between the natural occurrences of aging and real ADHD symptoms. There are a variety of treatment options for people with ADHD that include lifestyle changes and medications. A good night's sleep by establishing a bedtime routine, avoiding screen time before going to bed and eating regularly will improve the quality of sleep. Exercise is also essential and many people who suffer from ADHD discover 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 with ADHD are benefited by joining a support group. These groups provide an environment where you can talk about the challenges that arise in relationships, work and other areas of life when you suffer from ADHD. Women who have ADHD might also benefit from individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching strategies to deal with their ADHD. Therapy may also include cognitive behavior therapy, which can help you accept your thoughts and feelings while swapping out negative thoughts for 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 help you improve your life. Some people prefer working with a professional coach who will 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 myriad of professional treatment options for ADHD. These strategies include self-discipline strategies, lifestyle modifications, and therapy or counseling. Many people with ADHD implement stress management strategies as well as work and home accommodations and dietary changes into their daily routines. It is essential to consult with a medical professional prior to commencing any of these techniques to ensure they are suitable for you and will meet your individual requirements. One of the main challenges 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, absence of appointments, and impulsive decisions 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 strategies can be helpful. Some people who have ADHD have anxiety and depression which can worsen ADHD symptoms. Additionally, some women may develop self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which can take the form of scratching, burning, or cutting. NSSI can be extremely risky and is often a symptom of untreated ADHD and it is crucial to talk with your healthcare provider regarding any concerns you might have. Women with ADHD might also experience feelings of shame or self-pity when they are misunderstood by others. This can cause feelings of self-doubt, procrastination, and a lack motivation. A support system that can understand these issues and teaches you how to cope can make a huge impact on your life. The different levels of estrogen that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopausal cycles can affect your ADHD symptoms. Some women experience worsening symptoms during these cycles and require more medication to treat their symptoms. Talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. This could help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and help regulate your body's production of estrogen. An ADHD coach can also help you develop tailored strategies to reach your goals and feel confident in control of the day-to-day tasks. Genetics The chromosomal makeup of a person determines the risk of developing certain diseases, such as ADHD. Many studies have shown that genetic connections exist between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer and coronary heart disease. parents who died, and demographics, such as the number of children in a family, age of the first child born and sex at birth. These results suggest that ADHD is a genetic condition that has a connection with these diseases, and that there are common neurobiological processes that connect the two conditions. Women with ADHD might develop coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat them. Masking may mean investing all their energy in their work, avoiding their problems from their family and friends or altering their behavior to meet social expectations. Some of these strategies are healthy, but others aren't, and could cause a feeling of exhaustion and overwhelm. Additionally mothers and women are frequently expected to care for their children because of societal and family expectations. Increased expectations and self-esteem issues and the difficulties that come with ADHD can cause depression and anxiety. These emotions can trigger or worsen ADHD-related symptoms like mood fluctuations, feelings of inadequate and anxiety. Some women find that their symptoms become worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles when estrogen levels drop. This is likely to be due to the fact that the decline in estrogen causes dopamine and serotonin levels to drop which can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. Many women have described their ADHD diagnoses as a “lightbulb” moment. They are relieved to finally understand the reason for their struggles and are now able to seek help and treatment. In some cases the diagnosis enables people to accept the misfortunes that they have suffered through the course of their lives because of their ADHD symptoms. Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just biology. It can be challenging to discern biological differences between women and men from socially constructed differences in gender. This article applies to all women and people born female regardless of their confirmed gender identity.