High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe during times of hormonal changes like the premenstrual or menstrual cycles.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies in order to cover their symptoms and impairments could delay referral.
This patient group has a unique set of issues that must be considered when treating them.
1. Self-esteem issues
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like failing because of the things they cannot change. This can result in an endless cycle of feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. This can have a negative effect on their mental well-being.
Girls with untreated ADHD are more at risk of developing chronic low self-esteem as well as anxiety, teen pregnancy depression and substance abuse. As adults, they're at greater risk of being the sole parent to children with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass their bad habits on to their children.
It's important for girls to receive an accurate diagnosis because it will provide them with a better understanding of their challenges and allow them to manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women say that they feel much more empowered after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to not be a victim of the small things they cannot manage. It can also help them reframe their problems and refocus them on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopausal, their hormone levels can change and ADHD symptoms may worsen. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat women with ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
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 disrupt the woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. She might feel that she is unable to say no to anyone, leading her to overburden herself and become resentful of those close to her. She might have difficulty organizing her home and work life, which can lead to missed appointments and lost documents. She could be more prone to being angered when she is not liked which makes her more likely to snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel intensely when you are rejected, whether it is real or perceived. You might be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative feedback from a coworker at work. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated, resulting in thoughts, feelings and beliefs that can affect your self-esteem and relationships. The sensitivity to rejection can also lead to depression, anxiety and mood shifts.
Although it's often attributed to ADHD Rejection sensitivity is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain manages emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder may be a sign of these symptoms too.
RSD patients can see events through a filter, making them appear darker or brighter than they really are. This could cause people to interpret things as being related to rejection even though they're not. RSD can cause you to be in a state of being unable to control your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping strategies to manage RSD.
Check out the following articles to find out more about the sensitivity to rejection.
Although there isn't see it here for RSD it is possible to treat symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can utilize coping techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also create an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to reduce your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This will aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more fulfilled and happy life. It is also important to avoid relationships that are toxic as they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how to safely quit. This can lower the chance of feeling depressed and anxious, such anxiety and depression. By focusing on healthy relationships, you can improve your self-esteem. This will allow you to feel more confident in your abilities and give you an unbiased view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can cause sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at higher risk of developing these sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of guilt and shame and can have a negative impact on their relationships and overall well-being.
One study looked at adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was the case for males and females. This could be due to their higher levels of impulsivity, which makes them more likely to act on sexual desires and ideas. The study revealed that females with adhd are more likely to engage paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included submissive roles, bondage and sexing with strangers. They also went to sex parties and nightclubs more often.
Both men and women with adhd were more likely to be infidelity than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This is due to their weak control of impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition. This is probably due to their greater levels of anxiety and being misunderstood, or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey also asked participants to share their experiences with extra-partner sexual relations and sexual interactions without the use of contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants about their problematic sexual behaviors. This questionnaire consists of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using 5 points, ranging between 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The more high the score, the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behaviors of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These results are important because the psychosexual experiences of adults with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, like STI's, unwanted pregnancies, relationship problems, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clear communication and misunderstandings caused by signs such as inattention and forgetfulness may lead to frustration, anger, and conflict within the relationship. A strong network of friends and family members who can understand is helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is important to remember that those with ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors which could cause them to miss out on the central purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which could cause them to tune out conversations or to do something else while other people are talking.
These struggles can result in a vicious cycle in which the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress, and the ADHD partner is misunderstood and defensive. The issue could escalate from there, as they become more isolated.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by their everyday demands. They may feel shame or low self-esteem due to their impulsive, disorganized behavior. They may find themselves struggling to manage their bills and chores. They might also have mood swings, rejection sensitivity and a lack of sexual desire.
This is why it is essential for those suffering from ADHD to find a treatment plan and seek out help. It is also essential for those close to them, especially spouses, to understand the disorder and how it affects the person they love. They can collaborate to establish the right expectations and boundaries, then come up with a plan for how they will achieve their objectives. For instance the non-ADHD spouse could be more involved in the financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD might focus on organizing and completing housework.
Both partners should also strive to improve their communication and establish an established routine that includes regular schedules for sleeping, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to find ways to simplify things for both of you, like splitting household chores or outsourcing certain tasks which are challenging for people with ADHD.