High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe during times of hormonal changes, like the premenstrual or pregnancy cycles.
Many women and girls use compensatory strategies to masking their symptoms and impairments, which can delay time until referral.
This group of patients faces a unique set of challenges which must be considered when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even when they're doing well, it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they can't control. This can create an unending cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never good enough, which can take a toll on their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls with ADHD who are not treated are at a higher risk for chronic low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're more likely to be parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or unemployment. They're also more likely to be struggling with eating disorders, and their negative habits can be passed on to their children.
It's essential that girls receive a diagnosis because it will help them better recognize the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving a diagnosis. They are no longer being a victim of things they cannot control. It can also help reframe their problems and refocus them on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopausal, their hormone levels can change and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD because their symptoms may be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect everyday routines, leaving them frustrated and exhausted. She may feel she can't say no to anyone which causes her to burden herself and become resentful of those close to her. She might find it difficult to organize the work and home lives of her children, leading to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She may also be more easily triggered by rejection, therefore she's more likely to be defensive and even lash out at the people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel extremely hurt when you are rejected. This can be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or an unkind comment from a co-worker at work could trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are triggered, resulting in thoughts and feelings that could harm your self-esteem and relationships. You can also experience depression, anxiety and mood swings as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, which is typically associated with ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This affects the way your brain processes emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health issues such as borderline personality disorder can also be a cause for these symptoms.
People with RSD may see events through an eye that makes them appear darker or less than they actually are. This makes them more likely to perceive and interpret things as if they are related to rejection, even if they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a hard time regulating your emotions and that's why it's important to develop healthy strategies for coping to handle this.
Read the articles below to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
Although 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 behavioral therapy, which can help you change your negative thinking patterns. You can also create an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to lower your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. high functioning adhd in women will aid you in overcoming your RSD so that you can live a more fulfilling and happy life. It is also crucial to avoid relationships that are toxic as they can cause symptoms to become worse. If you are in a abusive relationship, seek out counseling to learn how you can safely quit. This will help reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, like anxiety and depression. You can also improve your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident about your abilities and give an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can cause sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviors. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at higher risk of developing these sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment and can negatively impact their relationships and wellbeing.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to have adventurous sexual curiosity. Both males and women were affected. This could be due to the increased levels of impulsivity which could make them more likely to be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. The study found that women with adhd are more likely to engage paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive roles, bondage, and sex with strangers. They also attended sex parties and nightclubs more often.
Both males and females with adhd had a greater rate of infidelity than those who did not have the disorder. This was due their poor control of impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition. This could be due to their greater levels of anxiety and a feeling of being misunderstood or criticized by their partners. The survey also asked participants to report their experiences with sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without the use of contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
In the final analysis, the study utilized the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their sexual issues. The questionnaire is comprised of 19 items that are grouped into three subscales. Each item is scored using a five-point scale, ranging that ranges from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was developed in order to assess sexual behavior between people with ADHD and those who do not.
These findings are significant due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of adults with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD experience difficulties in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clear communication and miscommunication caused by symptoms such as forgetfulness and inattention could result in anger, frustration and conflict within relationships. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a supportive network of friends and family members who understand.
It is important to remember that those with ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are often interrupted by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which may cause them to lose the purpose of an exchange. People with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in multitasking, which can cause them to tune out of conversations or perform other activities while others talk.
These battles can create an unbalanced relationship where the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with anger and stress, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. They then tend to become more withdrawn and the situation can get worse from there.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They may experience feelings of shame and low self-esteem because of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel as if they're unable to keep up with their chores and bills. They might also have mood swings, rejection sensitivity and a lack of sexual desire.
Because of this, it is vital for those suffering from ADHD to develop a treatment plan and seek out help. It is essential that the people closest to them, including spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to establish clear boundaries and expectations, then come up with a plan of how they will meet those goals. The non-ADHD partner could take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and finishing the housework.
Both partners should work to improve communication and establish an established routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It is important to find ways to simplify things for both spouses, such as splitting household chores or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD.