High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. The symptoms can be more severe during times of hormonal changes like premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies to hide their symptoms and impairments can delay referral.
This group of patients faces a unique set of problems that must be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
The social and emotional challenges that come with ADHD can make women feel down. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're failing because of the things they cannot change. This can create a vicious cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never satisfied, which can be detrimental to their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls with untreated ADHD are at greater risk of developing chronic low self-esteem, teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at an greater risk of being the sole parent to children with ADHD and financial difficulties, as well as underemployment. They are also more likely than others to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass their bad habits onto their children.
It's essential that women receive a diagnosis because it will help them better comprehend their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel more empowered after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop blaming themselves for the little things they are unable to control. It can also help them see their struggles as strengths and focus their attention on what matters most (Waite 2010,).
As women age and move towards menopause the hormone levels of their bodies change and ADHD symptoms may get worse. This makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated because they're often misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorder and their symptoms are viewed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt daily routines, leaving her frustrated and exhausted. It is possible that she cannot turn down people, leading her to feel overwhelmed and resentful of those around her. She might have difficulty organizing her home and work life, which leads to missing appointments and documents getting lost. She may also be more easily angered when she is not liked, making her more likely to snap at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel a strong sense of when you are rejected, either real or perceived. You could be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a coworker at work. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are triggered which can trigger thoughts and feelings that can harm your relationships and self esteem. You can also experience anxiety, depression and mood changes due to sensitive to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, which is often associated with ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People suffering from RSD may see events through a filter that makes them appear more dark 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 important to develop healthy coping strategies to deal with RSD.
Read the articles below to learn more about the sensitivity to rejection.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also create an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to lessen the chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you overcome your RSD so that you can live a more satisfying and happier life. Avoid toxic relationships, since they can worsen your symptoms. If you are in a abusive relationship, you should seek counseling to learn how to safely get out. This can lower the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, such as anxiety and depression. By focusing on relationships that are healthy that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your capabilities and provide a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky 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 cause feelings of shame and guilt, which can negatively impact their relationships and well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those without the disorder. Both genders were affected. This is likely due to their more impulsive levels, which could make them more likely to act on their sexual desires and thoughts. In particular, the study showed that women with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and actions. This included submissive role play and bondage as well as sexual contact with strangers. They also went to sex parties and clubs more often.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely to be in a relationship than those who didn't have the disorder. This is due to their inability to control their impulses, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This was likely also due to their higher rates of anxiety and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey also asked participants to report their experiences with sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19), which asked participants about their problematic sexual behavior. This questionnaire is composed of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using five-point scale, starting from 1 (never to 5) (very often)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was utilized to evaluate sexual behaviors between adults with ADHD and those who do not.
These findings are important because the psychosexual experiences of people with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as unwanted pregnancy and STIs, relationship dissatisfaction, adult onset infidelity, and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have issues with their romantic relationships. Highly recommended Resource site of communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as forgetfulness and inattention can lead to anger, resentment, and even conflict within the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a supportive network of friends and family members who understand.
It is also important to remember that people suffering from ADHD are often unable to listen. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior that can cause them to miss out on the central point of a discussion. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle with multitasking, too, which can cause them to become disengaged of conversations or engage in other things while someone else talks.
These struggles can lead to an unending cycle where the person who is not ADHD is overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. They may then become more introverted and the issue can escalate from there.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They may feel shame or low self-esteem due to their impulsive and chaotic behavior. They may feel that they are unable to keep up with their bills and chores. They might also be suffering from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection, as well as low sexual drive.
For these reasons, it is crucial for people with ADHD to find an effective treatment plan and seek out help. It is also important for those close to them, especially spouses, to be aware of the disorder and how it affects their loved one. They can collaborate to establish the right expectations and boundaries and then formulate a plan for how they will achieve their objectives. For example, the non-ADHD partner might take on more of the financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD might focus on completing chores and organizing the house.
Additionally, both partners must work together to communicate more efficiently and clearly, and establish a routine that includes regular sleep patterns, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It is also crucial to discover ways to make life simpler for both parties, such as splitting household chores, or outsourcing some of the tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD, such as hiring a cleaning service or utilizing apps to manage expenses.