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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 situation worse. They often report feeling misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles. Hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause and menopause amplify the emotional dysregulation and greater executive functioning problems that are that are associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet, and seeking out a therapist familiar with adhd can ease your symptoms. 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 have more inattention symptoms than hyperactivity (which can be more easily spotted by other people) They often develop coping mechanisms that mask these symptoms, and hormonal changes during pregnancy, perimenopausal changes and menopausal cycles can increase symptoms. Women with ADD/ADHD tend to appear disoriented during conversations. This can make it hard for them to interact with other people and can increase their impulsivity or lack of attention. Unhealthy coping behaviors like shopping, TV watching (especially reality TV), and overeating, are also common in women with ADD/ADHD. Having trouble remembering names is another common indication of ADHD for women. This can be aggravated by a myriad of factors particularly those related to health, aging, or menopausal. Women with ADD/ADHD also have a higher risk of depression than men. Furthermore, women who suffer from ADD/ADHD are more susceptible to a myriad of other mental health disorders like eating disorders, tics as well as fibromyalgia and PTSD. In order to reduce and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD it is crucial to treat any underlying condition. Women with ADD/ADHD have a harder time getting a good night's sleep when compared to other adults. This can cause exhaustion, which can worsen the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Sleep deficient or of poor quality can also make it more difficult to concentrate at work, in school, or with household chores. Verywell Health points out that many people 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 a person's internal sense of self as male, female, or nonbinary. Gender is different from a person's sexual preference, genital anatomies, and chromosomal make-up. If you suffer from ADD/ADHD or not, there are plenty of ways to improve your sleep and ease stress. You can improve your concentration and sleep by doing regular exercise, practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises, as well as creating a healthy sleeping routine. Treatment Women with ADHD face particular challenges when seeking treatment. It can be challenging for those with ADHD to identify their symptoms and to get the help they require. They are also more likely to hide their ADHD symptoms. They are also more likely to get an early diagnosis and receive less effective treatment than men. The difficulties of ADHD are often exacerbated because of hormonal changes that happen in menopausal and perimenopausal women. Dips in estrogen and progesterone can increase the executive dysfunction and emotional problems that often come with ADHD. In addition, changes in blood flow that occur with aging can trigger a cognitive declines that resemble ADHD symptoms. It is therefore essential that health care providers distinguish between a normal aspect of aging and ADHD symptoms. There are a variety of treatments for people suffering from ADHD that include lifestyle changes and medications. Practicing good sleep hygiene by establishing a bedtime routine and avoiding time spent on screens prior to bed and eating regular meals will improve the quality of sleep. Exercise is essential. Many people with ADHD discover that meditation or yoga helps to relax. It is essential to speak to your doctor about what treatments are right for you. Some people who suffer from ADHD can benefit from joining a support group. These groups offer the opportunity to talk in a safe environment about the issues you encounter in your relationships at work, in your relationships, and other areas of your life when you're ADHD. Women who suffer from ADHD may also benefit by participating in group or individual therapy which concentrates on teaching strategies to deal with their ADHD. Therapy can include cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you accept your thoughts and feelings, while changing negative patterns of thinking for healthier ones. Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a life-changing event for women. It will help you understand the reason you've struggled and give you a plan to improve your life. Some people also choose to engage a coach who can guide them through ways to manage their behavior and help them establish goals for their lives. Self-help You can improve your condition by managing it. There are a myriad of professional treatment options for ADHD. These strategies could include self-discipline and lifestyle changes or therapy. Many people suffering from ADHD also incorporate stress management techniques such as work and home accommodations, and nutritional changes into their daily routines. Before you begin any of these methods, it is important to consult with a medical professional to ensure that they are safe and suit your needs. One of the main challenges for women with undiagnosed or adult-onset ADHD is the negative impact it has on their relationships as well as family members. The misinterpretation and criticism of spouses as well as coworkers are common. ADHD symptoms like absence, forgetfulness and impulsive decision-making may cause frustration to the most tolerant family members. Couples therapy and classes that focus on conflict resolution and communication can be helpful. Some people with ADHD also struggle with depression and anxiety which can worsen ADHD symptoms. Additionally, inattentive add in women may develop non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which can take the form of burning, scratching, or cutting. NSSI is a dangerous symptom that is often caused by untreated ADHD. It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare provider. It is also common for women with ADHD to experience feelings of depression, shame, or self-pity after being ignored or disregarded by other people. This can cause low self-esteem, procrastination and a lack motivation. Having a support system that can recognize these issues and help you manage them can make a huge difference in your quality of life. The different levels of estrogen during pregnancy, menstrual cycles, and perimenopausal cycles can have an effect on your ADHD symptoms. Certain women experience more severe symptoms during these periods and require additional medication to manage their symptoms. Discuss with your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. This therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD and help regulate your body's production levels of estrogen. Finally, an ADHD coach can assist you to create a specific strategy to meet your goals and feel more at ease with your day-to-day obligations. Genetics The the chromosomal makeup of an individual determines the risk of having certain disorders including ADHD. Many studies have shown that genetic connections exist between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer, coronary heart disease, parents' age at death and demographics, like the number of children in a household, the age of the child who was born first and sex at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD shares a genetic basis with these diseases, and that there are also common neurobiological mechanisms linking the two conditions. Women who suffer from ADHD may develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms, which could make it more difficult to diagnose and treated. Masking can include investing all their energy into their work, avoiding their troubles from their family members or altering their behavior to meet social expectations. Some of these methods are healthy, however others aren't and could lead to a sense of exhaustion and overwhelm. In addition, societal expectations and family expectations often place the burden of caretaking on mothers and women. Expectations that are higher and low self-esteem and the challenges associated with ADHD can lead to anxiety and depression. It is not uncommon for these emotions to trigger or even exacerbate ADHD symptoms, including mood fluctuations and feelings of inadequateness. Some women notice that their symptoms become worse during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles, when estrogen decreases. This is likely due to the fact the decrease in estrogen can cause dopamine and seletonin levels to drop and make ADHD symptoms worse. Many women describe their ADHD diagnosis as a “lightbulb” moment. They feel relieved to finally have a reason for their problems, and can now seek support and treatment. In certain cases the diagnosis can allow them to forgive themselves for the mishaps they've suffered through the course of their lives because of their ADHD symptoms. Verywell Health acknowledges sex as more than just a matter of biology. It can be challenging to distinguish the gender differences between women and men from socially constructed gender distinctions. This article applies to all women as well as those born female regardless of their declared gender identity.