noodledesert05

ADHD in Older Women Many womenin their middle age struggle with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD caused by hormonal changes. They often feel misunderstood by their struggles and are overwhelmed. The hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopause or menopausal changes can intensify emotional dysregulation as well as executive functioning issues 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 males. This is due to a number of factors, including that women typically exhibit more inattentive than hyperactive symptoms (which are more easily noticed by others), they create coping mechanisms to hide these symptoms, as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy and perimenopausal. Women with ADD/ADHD often appear absent in conversations. This can make it hard to connect with others and may increase their impulsivity or lack of attention. Insane coping strategies, such as shopping, TV watching (especially reality shows) and eating too much, are also common in women with ADD/ADHD. Another common symptom of ADHD is having trouble remembering names. This can be caused in a number of ways such as health issues, aging, and menopausal. Women with ADD/ADHD are also at an increased risk of developing depression than men. Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD also have greater chance of developing other mental health problems, including eating disorders, tics, fibromyalgia and PTSD. To reduce and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD it is important to treat any underlying conditions. Women with ADD/ADHD also have a harder time getting enough sleep, especially in comparison to other adults. This can result in exhaustion which can aggravate symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Sleep deficient or of poor quality can also make it harder to stay focused at work, at school, or with household chores. Verywell Health notes that many people are confused by “gender” with “ADD/ADHD”. However sexuality is a biological phenomenon and gender is a social construct based on an individual's internal perception of their self as female, male or nonbinary. Gender is different from a person’s sexual orientation as well as genital anatomies and the chromosomal makeup. Whatever your condition, whether you have ADHD or ADD, a lot of the same strategies for improving sleep and reducing stress apply. Engaging in regular exercise, doing meditation or deep breathing exercises, and establishing a healthy sleep routine can help you get better sleep and improve your ability to concentrate. Treatment Women suffering from ADHD have unique experiences when seeking treatment for their condition. add symptoms in women can be difficult for those with ADHD to recognize their symptoms and get the help that they need. They are more likely to conceal ADHD symptoms. They are also more likely to get an early diagnosis and receive less effective treatment than males. The challenges of ADHD can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that are associated with perimenopause and menopause. Progesterone and estrogen levels drop can cause an increase in the executive dysfunction and emotional problems that often come with ADHD. Additionally, the changes in blood flow associated with aging can cause some cognitive decline that mimics ADHD symptoms. It's therefore important that health professionals distinguish between normal signs of aging and ADHD symptoms. There are many treatment options for people with ADHD which include changes in lifestyle and medications. A good sleep hygiene routine, such as establishing a routine before bedtime, avoiding screen-time and eating a regular diet, can help you sleep better. Exercise is also important and many people who suffer from ADHD find that meditative or yoga can help them relax. Talk to your doctor to determine the most effective treatment for you. Certain people suffering from ADHD might benefit by joining a group of support. These groups provide the opportunity to talk in a safe environment about the issues that arise in work, relationships and other areas of life when you suffer from ADHD. Women who have ADHD may also benefit from individual or group therapy that focuses on teaching them strategies to deal with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to assist you in accepting your thoughts and emotions while replacing negative thoughts with more positive ones. A diagnosis of ADHD is a life-changing event for women. It can help you discover the reason you've been struggling and provide you with a framework to improve your life. Some people opt to work with an expert coach who can help them learn behavioral strategies and develop 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 methods could include self-discipline, lifestyle changes, therapy, or counseling. Many people suffering from ADHD also implement stress management strategies such as work and home accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. Before beginning any of these techniques it is essential to consult a healthcare professional to ensure that they are safe and suit your requirements. The negative impact on relationships and family members is a major issue for women with undiagnosed ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. The misinterpretation and criticism of spouses, partners and coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, missed appointments and impulsive decisions can cause frustration to the most tolerant family members. Couples therapy, classes that emphasize conflict resolution and communication, and other techniques can help. Certain people with ADHD have depression and anxiety which can worsen ADHD symptoms. In addition, some women develop non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which could manifest as burning, scratching, or cutting. NSSI is extremely risky and is often an indication of untreated ADHD, so it is important to speak with your doctor regarding any concerns you may have. Women who suffer from ADHD might also experience feelings of shame or self-pity when they are viewed as a victim by other people. This can result in feelings of self-doubt, procrastination, and a lack motivation. A support system that understands these issues and helps you learn to deal with them can make a huge impact on your life. ADHD symptoms are influenced by fluctuating levels of estrogen during pregnancy, menstrual cycle, and perimenopause. Women who suffer from worsening symptoms during these cycles and require more medication to manage their symptoms. Think about talking to your doctor about an alternative therapy for hormones to control your body's natural production of estrogen and lessen the symptoms of ADHD. Finally you can consult 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 genetic makeup of a person's DNA – their chromosomal traits – determines their likelihood of developing certain disorders, including ADHD. Several different studies have reported that genetic correlations exist between ADHD and medical conditions such as lung cancer, 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 sex at birth. These results suggest that ADHD shares a genetic basis with these diseases and that there are also common neurobiological processes that connect the two conditions. Women with ADHD might develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, which may make it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated. Masking can include investing all their energy into their career, hiding their issues from their family members, or changing behaviors to meet social expectations. Some of these strategies are healthy, but others are not and can lead to a sense of exhaustion and overwhelm. In addition, social expectations and family expectations often place the burden of taking care of women and mothers. The combination of higher expectations, low self-esteem, and the difficulties of living with ADHD can create a recipe for anxiety and depression. It is not unusual for these feelings to trigger or even exacerbate ADHD symptoms, like mood shifts and feelings of unworthiness. Some women notice that their symptoms worsen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or during menopausal perimenopausal periods when estrogen levels drop. This could be due to the the diminution in estrogen can cause dopamine and seletonin levels to drop which can cause ADHD symptoms worse. Many women have described their ADHD diagnoses as a “lightbulb” moment. They are happy to finally understand the reason for their problems, and can now seek help and therapy. In some cases, the diagnosis can allow the woman to accept the mishaps she's experienced in her life due to her ADHD symptoms. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is more than biology, and it is often difficult to distinguish the biological gender differences between males and females from gender-based differences that are constructed by society. This article applies to all women and people born female, regardless of their affirmed gender identity.