High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe during times of hormonal changes, such as the premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.
Many girls and women are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, hiding their impairments and symptoms that can delay time until referral.
This group of patients has distinct issues that need to be taken into account when treating them.
1. Lack of self-esteem
Women can be depressed due to the social and emotional challenges of ADHD. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like failing because of the things they cannot change. This can lead to an endless cycle of feeling overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative impact on their mental health.
Girls with untreated ADHD are more at risk of developing chronic low self-esteem, anxiety, teen pregnancy depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at greater risk of being 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 is essential that girls receive a diagnosis since it will allow them to better comprehend their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving the diagnosis. They are no longer being a victim of things they aren't able to manage. It can also help reframe their issues and help them focus on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women age and approach menopause their hormone levels may change, and ADHD symptoms may worsen. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat women with ADHD as their symptoms could be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on women's self-esteem and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can disrupt everyday routines, leaving them exhausted and irritable. It is possible that she cannot turn down people, which causes her to be overwhelmed and resentful towards people around her. She might have difficulty organizing her work and home life, which can lead to delayed appointments and lost documents. She may also be more easily triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to react defensively and lash out at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. It could be 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 which can trigger thoughts, feelings and beliefs that can affect your relationships and self esteem. You can also experience depression, anxiety, and mood changes due to rejection sensitivity.
Rejection sensitivity, while often linked to ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health issues such as borderline personality disorder could be a sign of these symptoms too.
People with RSD may see events through filters that make them appear darker or dimmer than they really are. This can cause them to interpret and perceive things as being related to rejection, even if they aren't. RSD can make you unable to control your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping strategies to deal with RSD.
Check out the following articles to learn more about the sensitivity to rejection.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to treat symptoms with the assistance of a mental healthcare professional. You can use coping techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and build a community of support to reduce your chance of experiencing negative reactions to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to live a more positive and fulfilling life. Avoid toxic relationships, as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you are in an abusive relationship, you should seek counseling to learn how you can safely get out. This will reduce the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on relationships that are healthy, you can improve your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and give you an objective view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviours. Women with adhd that is high functioning might be more at risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can also result in feelings of guilt and shame which can have a negative effect on the quality of their relationships and overall well-being.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than people without ADHD to have adventurous sexual fascination. This was the case for both males and females. This is probably due to the higher levels of impulsivity that can cause them to be more likely act on their sexual ideas and desires. In particular, the study showed that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and behaviours. This included submissive role play, bondage and sexual relations with strangers. It was also more typical for them to attend sex clubs and parties.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely to be infidelity than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. This is likely due to their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood, or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 presents the results from this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to ask participants about their sexual issues. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. online is rated on a 5-point scale ranging that ranges from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behavior of people with and without ADHD.
These results are important because the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unwanted pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as forgetfulness and inattention could cause anger, frustration and conflict within the relationship. A supportive network of friends and family members who can understand is beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to remember that those with ADHD often have difficulty listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior, which could cause them to lose focus on the primary reason for a discussion. adhd in adult women with ADHD might also have difficulty multitasking, which could cause them to tune out conversations or perform other tasks while someone else is talking.
These struggles can lead to an unending cycle where the person who is not ADHD is overwhelmed by anxiety and anger, and the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. They can then become more withdrawn and the situation can get worse from there.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their daily demands. They may feel shame and low self-esteem because of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel like they're not able to handle their chores and bills. They might also feel mood swings, rejection sensitivity and a lack of sexual desire.
It is essential that those with ADHD find a treatment and seek out help. It is also essential for their family members, especially spouses, to understand the disorder and how it affects their loved ones. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. They can then come up with an action plan to reach their goals. The non-ADHD spouse could assume more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and finishing the chores at home.
Both partners should work to improve their communication and create a routine, which includes regular schedules for sleeping, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It is important to find ways to make things easier for both of you, like sharing household chores or outsource certain tasks which are challenging for people with ADHD.