High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. The symptoms may increase during periods of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to mask their impairments and symptoms can delay the time for referral.
This group of patients faces particular issues which must be considered when treating them.
1. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like a failure because of things they aren't able to change. This can result in an endless feeling of being overwhelmed and inadequate. This can have a negative effect on their mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at a higher risk for chronic low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of depression, anxiety, and abuse of substances. As adults, they are at a higher risk of becoming parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or unemployment. They're also more likely than other people to suffer from eating disorders and to pass on their bad habits to their children.
It is essential that women receive a diagnosis since it will allow them to better comprehend the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel more confident after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop beating themselves up over the little things they are unable to manage. It helps them to see their struggles as strengths and help them focus their attention on the things that matter most (Waite, 2010).
As add test for women and enter menopausal, their hormone levels change, and ADHD symptoms can get worse. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD because their symptoms may be incorrectly identified and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms may interfere with women's daily routines, leaving her irritable and exhausted. She might feel like she cannot turn down people, which causes her to be overwhelmed and angry with those around her. It could be difficult to organize her home and work life which can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She may also be more easily triggered when she is rejected which makes her more likely to snap at those she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. It could be real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or a negative comment from a colleague at work can trigger you. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated, and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result could harm your self-esteem and relationships. Sensitivity to rejection can lead to depression, anxiety and mood shifts.
Although it's often attributed to ADHD, rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder may also be a cause for these symptoms.
People suffering from RSD may view events through a filter that makes them appear more dark or dimmer than they actually are. This causes them to interpret and interpret events as rejection-related, even when they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a harder managing your emotions which is why it is important to have coping strategies that are healthy to deal with this.
You can find out more about rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to treat 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 an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to lower your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD, so you can lead a more pleasant and satisfying life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, since they can worsen your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, get counseling to discover how to get out. This can help you lower the risk of experiencing rejection-related feelings, such as anxiety and depression. By focusing on healthy relationships that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will allow you to feel more confident in your abilities, and will give you an objective view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can result in sexual dysfunctions or risky behavior. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of developing these sexual problems than non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt and can have a negative effect on the quality of their relationships and overall well-being.
One study conducted a survey of 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. Both males and women were affected. This is likely due to their more impulsive levels, which can make them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and ideas. In particular, the study showed that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and behaviours. This included bondage, submissive roles and sex with strangers. It was also common for them to go out to sex clubs and parties.
Both males and females with adhd had a greater rate of infidelity than those without the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. This could also be because of their higher rates of anxiety and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 provides the results of this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19), which asked participants to describe their sexual issues. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on 5 points, ranging from 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used to evaluate the sexual behaviours of adults with and without ADHD.
These results are important because the psychosexual outcomes of people with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship problems, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have issues with their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can result in anger, resentment, and a conflict within the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a network of family and friends who understand.
It is crucial to keep in mind that people who suffer from ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily interrupted by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which may cause them to lose the purpose of an exchange. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which can lead them to mute conversations or do something else while someone else is talking.
These struggles can lead to a vicious cycle where the partner who is not ADHD is overwhelmed with stress and resentment and the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. The problem can escalate from there, as they become more distant.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by their everyday demands. They may be feeling shame or low self-esteem due to their impulsive, chaotic behavior. They may feel that they are unable to keep up with their obligations and bills. They can also suffer from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection as well as low sex drive.
It is essential that those with ADHD find a treatment and seek help. It is essential that those closest to them, particularly spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can create an action plan to reach their goals. The non-ADHD partner could assume more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing the 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 relaxation and rest. It's also important to discover ways to make life easier for both parties for example, dividing household chores, or outsourcing certain tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD for example, hiring an expert cleaning service or using apps to control expenses.