High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during times of hormonal change such as the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Many women and girls use compensatory strategies to masking their symptoms and impairments, which can delay time until referral.
This patient group faces a unique set issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when they're doing well, it's easy to feel like a failure for things they cannot control. This can lead to a vicious cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never good enough and can affect their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls with untreated ADHD are at greater risk of chronic low self-esteem, teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression, and abuse of substances. As adhd in women symptoms , they're at an increased risk of single-parenting children with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass their bad habits onto their children.
It's essential that women get a diagnosis as it will allow them to better understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving an diagnosis. They can now stop getting angry about things they cannot manage. It can also help them reframe their challenges as strengths and help them focus their focus on what is important most (Waite, 2010).
As women age and enter menopause, their hormone levels change and ADHD symptoms can get worse. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat women with ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be incorrectly identified and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of 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. The symptoms can affect everyday routines, leaving them frustrated and exhausted. She may feel she can't say no to anyone and end up overburdened herself and become angry with the people closest 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 may be more easily angered when she is not liked which makes her more likely to snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel a strong sense of when you are rejected, whether it is real or perceived. You might be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative feedback from a coworker at work. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can harm your relationships and self esteem. You may also experience depression, anxiety and mood fluctuations as a result of sensitive to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, while often associated with ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain processes emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health disorders like borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People suffering from RSD may view events through filters that make them appear darker or dimmer than they actually are. This can cause people to interpret things as rejection related, even if they aren't. RSD can make you incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is crucial to develop healthy coping strategies to manage RSD.
Read the articles below to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD but it is possible to manage your symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can utilize coping techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and build a network of support to lessen your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This will help you overcome your RSD so that you can live a more satisfying and happy life. Avoid toxic relationships as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek counseling to discover the best way to leave. This can lower the chance of feeling depressed and anxious such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on healthy relationships and relationships, you can boost your self-esteem. This will make you feel more confident about your abilities and provide an objective view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions or risky behavior. Women with adhd that is high functioning are at a higher risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can cause feelings of shame and guilt, which can negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those who did not suffer from the disorder. Both males and women were affected. This could be due to the higher levels of impulsivity that can cause them to be more likely act on their sexual ideas and desires. The study found that females who suffer from adhd are more likely to engage in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive roles, bondage and sex with strangers. They also went to sex parties and nightclubs more often.
Both males and females with adhd had a higher rate of infidelity than people without the disorder. This was due their poor control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This is probably due to their higher levels of insecurity and a feeling of being misunderstood or misjudged by their partners. The survey also asked participants to report their experiences with extra-partner sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire from participants about their sexual problems. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using a five-point scale, ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behaviors of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These results are important due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of people with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unwanted pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, infidelity that begins at the onset of adulthood and adolescence and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have trouble in their romantic relationships. A lack of clear communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can lead to anger, resentment and conflict within the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a supportive network of family and friends who understand.
It is also important to note that people suffering from ADHD often have difficulty listening. They are easily interrupted by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which could cause them to miss the point of a conversation. People with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which can lead them to tune out conversations or do something else while other people are talking.
These conflicts can lead to a cycle where the non-ADHD partner becomes overwrought with anger and stress and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood, and defensive. They may then become more withdrawn and the situation can get worse from there.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of daily life. They may experience low self-esteem or shame due to their impulsive, chaotic behavior. They may feel like they cannot keep up with their obligations and bills. They may also feel mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and low sexual desire.
It is essential that those with ADHD seek treatment and seek out help. It is also important for family members, especially spouses, to learn more about the disorder and how it affects their loved ones. They can collaborate to set clear boundaries and expectations and then formulate a plan for how they can achieve those objectives. The non-ADHD partner could take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing 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 for relaxation and rest. It's also important to discover ways to make life simpler for both parties by dividing household chores, or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD for example, hiring an expert cleaning service or using apps to control costs.