15 Up-And-Coming ADHD In Older Women Bloggers You Need To Watch
ADHD in Older Women
Many women* in midlife struggle with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD complicated by hormonal changes. They often feel misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles.
Hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause and menopausal changes can exacerbate the emotional dysregulation and greater executive functioning issues that can be that are associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a balanced diet, and seeking out an therapist who is familiar with adhd can ease your symptoms.
Symptoms
For women, the diagnosis of ADHD may come later in life than for men. This is due to several reasons, including the fact that women are more likely to present with more inattentive symptoms than hyperactivity (which can be more easily observed by others) They often develop coping mechanisms to mask these symptoms and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, perimenopausal and menopausal changes can intensify symptoms.
People with ADD/ADHD are often distant during conversations. This can make it hard to communicate with other people and can increase their impulsivity or lack of attention. Unhealthy coping behaviors like shopping, watching TV (especially reality TV) and eating too much, are also common in women with ADHD or ADD. Another common sign of ADHD is difficulty remembering names. This can be exacerbated by a variety of factors such as health issues, aging and menopause.
Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD also have a higher risk of depression than men. Women with ADD/ADHD also have greater chance of developing mental health conditions, including tics, eating disorder, fibromyalgia and PTSD. To reduce and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD it is essential to treat any underlying issues.
It can be difficult for women with ADD/ADHD get good quality sleep than other adults. This can cause exhaustion which can exacerbate symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Insufficient or poor quality sleep can also make it more difficult to focus at work, in school, or on 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 assigned at birth based on the person's inner self-perception of being male female, male, or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexual preference or genital anatomy, as well as the chromosomal makeup.
No matter if you suffer from ADHD or ADD, a lot of the same tips to improve your sleep and reduce stress apply. Getting regular exercise, practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises, and creating a healthy sleep routine can help you achieve better sleep and improve your ability to concentrate.
Treatment
Women who suffer from ADHD face unique challenges when seeking treatment. It is sometimes difficult to spot symptoms within themselves, and can be more difficult to get the help they require. They tend to hide ADHD symptoms. In the end, they are more likely to receive late diagnosis and less likely to be treated as effectively as men.
The challenges of ADHD are often exacerbated by hormonal changes that are associated with perimenopause and menopause. Drops in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can lead to an increase in emotional dysregulation, and executive functioning issues that are often associated with ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that occur with aging may also cause cognitive decline that mimics ADHD symptoms. It's therefore important that health care providers distinguish between normal signs of aging and ADHD symptoms.
There are many treatment options available for people with ADHD. These include lifestyle changes and medications. A good sleep hygiene routine like establishing a routine before bedtime, avoiding screen-time and eating a regular diet, can help you sleep better. Exercise is also essential for those who suffer from ADHD find 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 who suffer from ADHD may benefit from joining a group for support. These groups can provide a safe space to discuss the challenges that arise in relationships, work and other areas of life when you suffer from ADHD. Women who suffer from ADHD might also benefit from participating in group or individual therapy which concentrates on teaching strategies to deal with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to assist you in accepting your thoughts and emotions, while replacing negative thinking patterns with more positive ones.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a life-changing event for women. It can help you know the reasons you've been struggling and give you the framework to improve your life. Some people prefer working with an expert coach who will help them develop strategies for coping with stress and set goals for their lives.
Self-help
You can improve your condition by tackling it. There are a variety of professional treatment options for ADHD. These strategies can include self-discipline techniques and lifestyle modifications, as well as therapy or counseling. Many people who suffer from ADHD also incorporate stress management techniques such as work and home adjustments, and changes to their diet into their daily routines. Before beginning any of these methods it is crucial to speak with a doctor to ensure they are safe and will meet your needs.
One of the major issues for women with undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it has on their relationships and family members. The misinterpretation and criticism of spouses, partners, and colleagues are common. ADHD symptoms like inattention, missing appointments and impulsive decisions can also be a source of frustration for the most understanding family members. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on conflict resolution and communication can help.
Some people who suffer from ADHD are also afflicted with anxiety and depression. These conditions can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Women may also experience non-suicidal (NSSI) self-injury, which can be in the form of burning, cutting, or scratching. NSSI is a potentially dangerous symptom that is often caused by untreated ADHD. It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare professional.
It is also typical for women suffering from ADHD to experience feelings of depression, shame or self-pity following being disregarded or criticized by other people. This can lead to low self-esteem, procrastination and a lack motivation. A support system that can recognize these issues and teach you how to manage them can make a huge difference in your quality of life.
The different levels of estrogen that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and perimenopause can impact your ADHD symptoms. Certain women experience more severe symptoms during these cycles and need more medication to treat their symptoms. Talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. This can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD and regulate your body's production of estrogen. An ADHD coach can help you develop tailored strategies to achieve your goals and feel more in control of your daily tasks.
Genetics
The genetic makeup of a person's DNA - their chromosomal traits - determines their likelihood of developing certain disorders, such as ADHD. Numerous studies have revealed that genetic connections exist between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer or coronary heart disease. parents dying at a certain age, 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 findings suggest that ADHD is a genetic cause with these disorders. They also indicate that there are common neurobiological processes connecting the two conditions.
Women who have ADHD may develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, which could make it harder to diagnose and treated. Masking could mean investing all their energy into their work, avoiding their troubles from their family members, or changing behaviors to meet social expectations. Some of these strategies can be healthy, however some aren't. They can result in feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
In addition, social and family expectations often put the burden of caretaking on women and mothers. Expectations that are higher and low self-esteem and the difficulties that come with ADHD can cause anxiety and depression. attention deficit disorder in women is not unusual for these feelings to trigger or worsen ADHD symptoms, such as mood fluctuations and feelings of inadequateness.
Some women notice that their symptoms worsen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles, when estrogen decreases. This could be due to the the reduction in estrogen can cause dopamine and seletonin levels to drop, which can make ADHD symptoms worse.
Many women describe their ADHD diagnosis as being a "lightbulb moment." They are often content that they have a reason to explain their difficulties and can seek treatment and support. In some cases the diagnosis can allow them to forgive themselves for the mishaps they've endured in their lives as a result 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 differences in gender. This article is applicable to all women as well as those born female regardless of their declared gender identity.