High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are unhappy and are often misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes, such as the premenstrual and menstrual cycles.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies in order to cover their impairments and symptoms can delay referral.
This patient group has a unique set of problems that must be considered when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
The emotional and social issues associated with ADHD can cause women to feel down. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like failing because of the things they cannot change. This can create an endless cycle of feeling overwhelmed and unsatisfied. This can have a negative effect on their mental well-being.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at greater risk for chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a higher chance of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. As adults, they are more likely to be parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or underemployment. They're also more likely than other people to suffer from eating disorders and to pass on their bad habits to their children.
It's essential that girls receive a diagnosis because it will help them recognize their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving the diagnosis. They can stop getting angry about things they aren't able to control. It can also help to reframe their struggles and refocus on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopausal, their hormone levels can change, and ADHD symptoms could worsen. This can make it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated, as they're often misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorder and their symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have a devastating impact on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect daily routines, leaving her frustrated and exhausted. It is possible that she isn't able to refuse people, which causes her to become overburdened and resentful of people around her. She may find it difficult organizing her work and home life, which leads to missing appointments and documents getting lost. She may also be more easily triggered by rejection, which means she is more likely to be defensive and lash out at people she is in love with.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel intensely when you're being rejected, whether real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or an insult from a colleague at work can trigger your symptoms. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are overwhelmed and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result could harm your relationships and self-esteem. The sensitivity to rejection can also cause anxiety, depression and mood swings.
Rejection sensitivity, while typically associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People suffering from RSD might see events through a filter that makes them appear darker or less than they really are. This could cause people to interpret things as being related to rejection even though they're not. see it here can also cause you to have a harder managing your emotions which is why it's crucial to have coping strategies that are healthy to deal with this.
Read the articles below to find out more about the sensitivity to rejection.
While there is no cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the help of an expert in mental health. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps modify your negative thought patterns. You can also create a support network and practice mindfulness to lower the chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and help you live a happier and more fulfilling life. It is also essential to stay clear of toxic relationships since they can make your symptoms worse. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek counsel to find out the best method to leave. This will reduce the risk of feeling depressed and anxious such as depression and anxiety. You can also boost your self-esteem by developing healthy relationships. This will allow you to feel more confident in your abilities and give you a more realistic perspective on the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship challenging. This can cause sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviors. Women with adhd that is high functioning might be more at risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can also lead to feelings of shame and guilt which can have a negative impact on their relationships and overall wellbeing.
In one study, those with ADHD were found to be more likely than people without ADHD to have adventurous sexual fascination. Both males and women were affected. This is likely due to the increased levels of impulsivity which could make them more likely to be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. Particularly, the study revealed that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and actions. This included bondage, submissive roles, and sex with strangers. They also went to sex parties and more clubs.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely to be infidelity than those who didn't have the disorder. This is due to their weak control of impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition. This was likely also because of their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 presents the results for this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants to discuss their sexual issues. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, between 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was used in order to compare sexual behaviors between adults with ADHD and those without.
These results are important because the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been linked with sexual dysfunctions, such as unwanted pregnancy and STIs relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult onset infidelity, and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their romantic relationships. Lack of clear communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention can result in anger, frustration, and conflict within a relationship. A strong group of family and friends members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind that those with ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are easily interrupted by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which can cause them to miss the point of an exchange. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle with multitasking, too and can cause them to lose track of conversations or do other activities while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can lead to an unbalanced relationship where the non-ADHD partner becomes overwrought with anger and stress, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood, and defensive. The issue could escalate in the meantime as they become more distant.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They might experience feelings of shame and low self-esteem because of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel that they're unable to keep up with their household chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings and rejection sensitivity and low sexual drive.
It is important that those who suffer from ADHD seek treatment and seek assistance. It is also essential for those close to them particularly spouses, to be aware of the disorder and how it affects their loved ones. They can collaborate to establish the right expectations and boundaries, then come up with a plan of how they will meet those goals. The non-ADHD partner can assume more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and finishing the chores at home.
In addition, both parties should work to communicate more effectively and clearly and establish a routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to find ways to make things easier for both spouses, such as splitting household chores or outsourcing some of those that are difficult for a person with ADHD.