High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe during times of hormonal changes like premenstrual and pregnancy periods.
Many women and girls are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, hiding their impairments and symptoms which may delay the time to referral.
This group of patients has specific challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
The social and emotional challenges associated with ADHD can make women feel down. Even when they're doing well and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure because of things they cannot control. This can create an endless feeling of being overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative impact on their mental health.
Girls with ADHD who are not treated are at a higher risk of having low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at increased risk of single-parenting children with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They are also more likely than others to be afflicted by eating disorders and pass on their bad habits to their children.
It's essential that girls get a diagnosis as it will help them understand their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel much more confident after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop blaming themselves for the little things they are unable to manage. It can also help to reframe their problems and refocus them on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopausal age their hormone levels alter, and ADHD symptoms can get worse. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD because their symptoms may be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt women's daily routines which can make her angry and exhausted. She may feel that she can't refuse people, causing her to be overwhelmed and resentful towards those around her. It could be difficult to organize her home and work life and this can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She could be more easily affected by rejection, making her more likely to lash out at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel extremely hurt when you are rejected. It could be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or a negative comment from a coworker at work could trigger you. Your brain's defense mechanisms naturally become over-stimulated and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result can harm your self-esteem and relationships. There are also depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.
While it's often associated with ADHD The issue of rejection sensitiveness is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation that affects how your brain manages emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder could be a sign of these symptoms too.
RSD patients can see events through a filter, which makes them appear brighter or darker than they really are. This can cause them to interpret things as being related to rejection, even though they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult managing your emotions which is why it's crucial to develop healthy strategies for coping to handle this.
Read the articles below to learn more about rejection sensitivity.
While there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavior therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also create a support network and practice mindfulness to lower the chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD and help you lead a more pleasant and satisfying life. Avoid toxic relationships, as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you are in a abusive relationship, you should seek counseling to learn how to safely quit. This will reduce the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection like depression and anxiety. You can also boost your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will allow you to feel more confident about your abilities and give you an objective view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship challenging. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions or risky sexual behavior. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at higher risk of having sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt, which can negatively impact their relationships and well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those without the disorder. This was the case for both males and females. This was likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity which makes them more likely to act on their sexual desires and thoughts. The study revealed that females who have adhd are more likely to indulge in sexual fantasies and actions. This included bondage, submissive roles and sex with strangers. They also attended sex parties and more clubs.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely be infidelity than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This was likely also because of their higher rates of anxiety and feeling misunderstood by partners. Iam Psychiatry asked participants to report their experiences with 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 asked participants to discuss their problematic sexual behavior. This questionnaire is composed of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using five-point scale, starting between 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score, more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was developed in order to compare sexual behaviors between people with ADHD and those who do not.
These findings are significant because the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been linked with sexual dysfunctions such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult-onset infidelity, as well as risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their relationships with loved ones. Insufficient communication and miscommunication caused by symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness may lead to frustration, anger and conflict in relationships. A supportive network of friends and family members who can understand is helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind, too, that people who suffer from ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors which could cause them to miss out on the main point of a discussion. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle in multitasking, which can cause them to become disengaged of conversations or perform other activities while someone else talks.
These battles can create a vicious cycle in which the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress and the ADHD partner is misunderstood and defensive. They can then withdraw, and the problem escalates from there.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of daily life. They might experience feelings of shame and low self-esteem because of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel that they're not able to handle their household chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings and rejection sensitivity and low sexual drive.
It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek assistance. It is crucial that the people closest to them, including spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they will come up with an action plan to achieve their goals. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing housework.
Both partners must be working to improve their communication and create a routine, which includes regular schedules for sleeping, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It is important to discover ways to make things easier for both partners, such splitting household chores or outsourcing certain tasks which are challenging for people with ADHD.