High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during times of hormonal change such as the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Many girls and women resort to compensatory strategies, hiding their impairments and symptoms that can delay time to referral.
This group of patients faces specific problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
The social and emotional challenges associated with ADHD can cause women to feel down. Even if they're successful, it's easy to feel like they're a failure because of things they aren't able to change. This can create an unending cycle of feeling overwhelmed and unsatisfied. This can have a negative impact on their mental health.
Girls with ADHD who are not treated are at a higher risk for chronic low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. As adults, they are at a higher risk of becoming single-parents to a child with ADHD and facing financial hardship or unemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their unhealthy habits can be passed on to their children.
It's important for girls to get a diagnosis, because it will give them a better understanding of their issues and enable them to manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving an diagnosis. They can stop getting angry about things they cannot manage. It can also help reframe their issues and help them focus on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopausal, their hormone levels change and ADHD symptoms may get worse. This can make it difficult for them to be identified and treated because they're often misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorder, and their symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with friends and family. Symptoms may interfere with a woman's daily routine which can make her angry and exhausted. It is possible that she cannot refuse to be around people and end up overburdened herself and feel resentful towards people close to her. She might find it difficult to organize her home and work life which can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She can also be more easily triggered by rejection therefore she's more likely to be defensive and snap at those she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel intensely when you're rejected, whether real or perceived. You might be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a colleague at work. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated and the thoughts and feelings that result can harm your self-esteem and relationships. There are also depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations as a result of sensitive to rejection.
Although it's often attributed to ADHD, rejection sensitiveness is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation that affects how your brain manages 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 may see events through a filter that makes them appear darker or dimmer than they really are. This can cause them to interpret and perceive things as rejection related, even if they aren't. RSD can make you unable to control your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage RSD.
Check out the following articles to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the help of an expert in mental health. You can utilize coping techniques like cognitive behavior therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also build an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to reduce your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to live a more positive and fulfilled life. It is also essential to stay clear of toxic relationships since they can make your symptoms worse. If you are in a abusive relationship, you should seek counseling to learn how you can safely leave. This will reduce the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, such anxiety and depression. You can also increase your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will allow you to feel more confident about 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 lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviours. Women who have high functioning adhd might be more at risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can also trigger feelings of shame and guilt and can negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being.
One study surveyed adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those without the disorder. This was true for both males and females. This is likely due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can make them more likely act on their sexual ideas and desires. In particular, the study showed that females with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive roles, bondage and sexing with strangers. They also went to sex events and more clubs.
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 impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. It could also be a result of their higher rates of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by their partners. The survey also asked participants to share their experiences with sexual relations and sexual interactions without contraception. Table 6 outlines the results of this section.
Lastly, Web Site used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to ask participants about their sexual issues. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using 5 points, ranging between 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score, more symptoms are present. The HBI-19 was used to evaluate the sexual behaviours of adults with and without ADHD.
These findings are important because the psychosexual experiences of adults with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions like STIs and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction, adult-onset infidelity, as well as dangerous sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their romantic relationships. A lack of communication and misunderstandings due to symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention can cause anger, resentment, and even conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be helped by a supportive network of family and friends who understand.
It is crucial to keep in mind that people with ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are often interrupted by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which can cause them to miss the point of the conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to be struggling with multitasking as well, which can cause them to tune out of conversations or do other things while someone else is talking.
These battles can create a vicious cycle where the person who isn't ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD person feels untrusted. The issue could escalate from there, as they become more distant.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their everyday demands. They may experience feelings of guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel like they're not able to handle their chores and bills. They may also have mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sexual desire.
It is important that those with ADHD find a treatment and seek help. It is also important for family members, especially spouses, to understand the condition and how it affects their loved one. They can collaborate to set clear boundaries and expectations and then formulate an action plan to can achieve those objectives. For instance the partner who is not ADHD could assume more financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD may be more focused on organizing and completing housework.
In addition, both partners should work to communicate more effectively and clearly and establish a routine that includes regular sleep patterns, meal times, and time for rest and relaxation. It is also essential to discover ways to make life easier for both of you for example, sharing household chores or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD, such as hiring an expert cleaning service or using apps to manage costs.