High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes, like premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.
Many women and girls use compensatory strategies to concealing their impairments and symptoms, which can delay time until referral.
This group of patients faces particular problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
The emotional and social challenges that accompany ADHD can cause women to feel low. Even when they are successful, it's easy to feel like they're a failure because of things they can't change. This can create an endless feeling of being overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative effect on their mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at a higher chance of developing 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're at an increased risk of single-parenting a child with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their bad habits can be passed on to their children.
It's crucial for girls to receive an accurate diagnosis because it will provide them with an understanding of their issues and help them manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women report that they feel more empowered after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to not be a victim of the small things they cannot control. It can also help them reframe their problems and refocus them on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopausal age, their hormone levels could change, and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating impacts on women's self-esteem and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can affect daily routines, leaving her exhausted and irritable. She may feel she can't say no to anyone and end up overburdened herself and become angry with the people closest to her. It could be difficult to manage her home and work life, leading 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 even lash out at the people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that makes you feel extremely when you're rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or an insult from a colleague at work can trigger you. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms become overwhelmed and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result can hurt your relationships and self-esteem. adhd in women symptoms can also experience anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations as a result of sensitive to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, while often associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be observed in other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People suffering from RSD may see events through filters that make them appear darker or less than they really are. This can lead people to interpret things as being related to rejection, even though they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a harder time regulating your emotions which is why it's crucial to have coping strategies that are healthy to deal with this.
Read the articles below to learn more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can use strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps modify your negative thought patterns. You can also establish an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to reduce your chance 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 are in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how you can safely get out. This will help lower the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, like anxiety and depression. By focusing on healthy relationships and relationships, you can boost your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and provide an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviours. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at higher risk of developing these sexual problems than non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also lead to feelings of shame and guilt, which can have a negative effect on 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. This was the case for males and females. This is probably due to the greater impulsivity levels that could make them more likely to be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. In particular, the study showed that women with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive role play and bondage as well as sexual relations with strangers. adhd in women symptoms attended sex parties and nightclubs more often.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely be infidelity than those who didn't have the disorder. This is due to their inability to control their impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This is likely due to their higher levels of insecurity and a feeling of being misunderstood or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey also asked participants to share their experiences with extra-partner sexual relationships and sexual encounters without use of contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their sexual problems. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using a 5-point scale, between 1 (never to 5 (very frequently)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used in order to compare sexual behaviors between adults with ADHD and those without.
These findings are important because the psychosexual experiences of adults with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions such as STI's and unwanted pregnancies, relationship problems, adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have trouble in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention could cause anger, frustration and conflict in a relationship. A supportive network of friends and family members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind that those who suffer from ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their thoughts or their impulsive behavior, which could result in them missing out on the main point of a discussion. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle in multitasking which could cause them to lose track of conversations or do other things while someone else is talking.
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 become more withdrawn and the situation can get worse from there.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They might experience feelings of shame and low self-esteem because of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel like they're not able to handle their household chores and bills. They might also experience mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sexual desire.
This is why it is vital for those suffering from ADHD to develop an effective treatment plan and seek help. It is essential that those closest to them, including spouses, learn more about ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to set clear boundaries and expectations and then devise a plan of how they can achieve those objectives. For example the partner who is not ADHD could assume more financial responsibility, while the person with ADHD might be focused on completing chores and organizing the house.
In addition, both parties should be able to communicate efficiently and clearly and establish a regular routine that includes regular sleeping schedules, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It is important to find ways to simplify things for both spouses, such as splitting household chores or outsourcing certain tasks which are challenging for people with ADHD.