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ADHD in Older Women Many women* in middle age struggle with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD caused by hormonal changes. They often feel misunderstood and overwhelmed by their struggles. Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopausal cycles can intensify the emotional dysregulation, and can cause greater executive functioning difficulties that are associated with adhd. Exercise, eating a healthy diet and working with an adhd-specific therapist can improve your symptoms. Symptoms For women, a diagnosis of ADHD could be later in life than for males. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that women are more likely to present with more inattentive symptoms than hyperactivity (which is more easily spotted by others) 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 difficult for them to interact with others and can worsen their impulsivity and inattention. Unhealthy coping behaviors like shopping, watching TV (especially reality shows), and overeating are also common among women with ADHD or ADD. Another sign of ADHD is difficulty remembering names. This can be caused in a number of ways as well as by health issues, aging and menopausal. Women who suffer from ADD/ADHD also have a higher risk of depression than men. Furthermore, women who suffer from ADD/ADHD are more prone to various other mental health disorders like tics, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, and PTSD. It is crucial to treat these conditions in order to control and alleviate symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Women with ADD/ADHD suffer from difficulty getting good quality sleep as compared to other adults. This can lead to exhaustion, which exacerbates symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Poor or insufficient sleep can make it more difficult to concentrate at work, at school, or with household chores. Verywell Health points out that many people mistakenly use the terms “gender” and “ADD/ADHD” interchangeably, but sexuality refers to biology while gender is a social construct assigned at birth based on the person's inner self-perception of being male, female, or nonbinary. Gender is distinct from a person's sexual orientation or genital anatomy, as well as chromosomal makeup. If you suffer from ADD/ADHD or not, there are plenty of ways to improve your sleep and reduce stress. Regular exercise, meditation or deep breathing exercises, and creating a healthy sleep routine can help you get better sleep and increase your ability to focus. Treatment Women with ADHD have their own unique challenges when seeking treatment for their condition. It can be difficult for them to identify symptoms in themselves, and can be more difficult for them to receive the assistance they require. They are also more likely to conceal their ADHD symptoms. They are therefore more likely to receive a late diagnosis and receive less effective treatment than men. The challenges of ADHD are often exacerbated by hormonal changes that happen during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles. Drops in estrogen and/or progesterone levels can exacerbate emotional dysregulation and executive functioning issues are frequently associated with ADHD. The changes in blood circulation that come with aging can also trigger cognitive decline, which mimics ADHD symptoms. It is therefore essential that health care providers distinguish between a normal part of aging and ADHD symptoms. There are several treatment options available to people suffering from ADHD which include changes in lifestyle and medications. Making sure you are practicing good sleep hygiene such as establishing a routine for bedtime and avoiding time spent on screens prior to bed and eating regular meals will improve the quality of sleep. Exercise is also important for those with ADHD find that meditation or yoga helps to relax. Home is important to speak with your doctor about what treatments are best for you. Some people with ADHD can benefit from joining an organization for support. These groups can provide the opportunity to talk in a safe environment about the challenges that arise in work, relationships and other areas of your life when you suffer from ADHD. Women with ADHD can also benefit from taking part in individual or group therapy which is focused on teaching strategies for dealing with their ADHD. Cognitive behavioral therapy can assist you in accepting your thoughts and emotions while replacing negative thought patterns with more positive ones. Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing event for women. It can help you understand why you've been struggling and give you a plan to help you improve your life. Some people choose to work with a professional coach who can assist them to discover strategies for managing their behavior and create goals for their lives. Self-help There's a broad variety of professional treatments for ADHD and other disorders, you can improve your condition by implementing strategies to manage it. These strategies include self-discipline methods as well as lifestyle changes, therapy or counseling. Many people with ADHD implement stress management strategies such as home and work arrangements and dietary changes into their daily schedules. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before commencing any of these techniques to ensure they are safe for you and address all of your needs. The negative impact on family and relationships is a major problem for women with undiagnosed ADHD or adult-onset ADHD. Misunderstandings and criticisms from spouses, partners, and coworkers is common. ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness absence of appointments, and making impulsive decisions can also test the patience of even the most understanding family members. Couples therapy classes that focus on communication and conflict resolution and other strategies can be helpful. Some people with ADHD have anxiety and depression which can cause ADHD symptoms. In addition, some women suffer from non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which may manifest as burning, scratching, or cutting. 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. Women suffering from ADHD may also develop feelings of self-pity or shame when they are viewed as a victim by other people. This can cause lack of motivation, procrastination, and a low self-esteem. A support system that can understand the struggles you face and teaches you how to cope can make a huge difference in your life. The different levels of estrogen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and perimenopausal cycles can have an effect on your ADHD symptoms. Certain women experience more severe symptoms during these cycles and require additional 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. A ADHD coach can assist you in developing a customized strategy to achieve your goals and feel confident in control of your day-to-day tasks. Genetics The genetic makeup of a person's chromosomes determines the risk of having certain diseases, such as ADHD. Numerous studies have demonstrated that there are genetic correlations between ADHD and medical conditions like lung cancer, coronary artery disease, parents' ages at death, and demographics such as the number of children, age of the first child and gender at birth. These findings suggest that ADHD is a genetic basis with these disorders. They also indicate that there are common neurobiological factors connecting the two conditions. Women who have ADHD might develop strategies for coping to mask their symptoms, which may make it more difficult to diagnose and treated. This could consist of putting all their effort into their careers, hiding their issues from family members, or changing their behaviors in order to conform to the expectations of society. Certain of these strategies may be healthy, but some aren't. They can lead to feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. In addition mothers and women are frequently required to look after their children because of societal and familial expectations. Expectations that are higher and self-esteem issues and the challenges that come with ADHD can lead to anxiety and depression. It is not uncommon for these feelings 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 perimenopausal periods, when estrogen decreases. This is likely due to the fact that the decrease in estrogen can cause seletonin and dopamine levels to drop and make ADHD symptoms worse. Many women have described their ADHD diagnosis as being a “lightbulb” moment. They are happy to finally have an explanation for their problems and are now able to seek support and treatment. In some instances, the diagnosis can allow the woman to accept the mistakes she has made in her life because of her ADHD symptoms. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is more than just biology, and it can be difficult to separate the biological differences between males and females from socially constructed gender differences. This article applies to all women and people born female regardless of their confirmed gender identity.