High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. Symptoms can heighten at times of hormonal change, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to hide their symptoms and impairments could delay the time for referral.
This group of patients faces particular problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Lack of self-esteem
Women can be depressed by the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even when they're doing well it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they can't control. This can lead to a vicious cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never good enough which can be detrimental to their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls with untreated ADHD are more at risk of having low self-esteem for a long time and teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. As adults, they are more likely to be single-parents of a child with ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or unemployment. They're also more likely than others to suffer from eating disorders and to pass their bad habits onto their children.
It's crucial that girls get a diagnosis as it will allow them to better recognize the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Iam Psychiatry say that they feel more empowered after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to not be a victim of the little things they are unable to control. It can also help them reframe their struggles and refocus on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women mature and approach menopausal age the hormone levels of their bodies change, and ADHD symptoms may get worse. This makes it more difficult for them to be identified and treated, as they're often misdiagnosed as having anxiety or mood disorder, and their symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect the woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. She may feel she can't refuse to be around people, leading her to overburden herself and feel resentful towards the people closest to her. She might find it difficult to manage her home and work life and this can lead to missing appointments and lost files. She may also be more easily triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to be defensive and even lash out at the people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. This could be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or a negative comment from a coworker at work can trigger your symptoms. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can harm your relationships and self esteem. There are also depression, anxiety and mood changes due to the sensitivity to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, although often associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder could also be a cause for these symptoms.
RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, making them appear darker or brighter than they really are. This makes them more likely to perceive and interpret things as being related to rejection, even though they are not. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult to control your emotions, which is why it's important to develop healthy strategies for coping to manage this.
Read the articles below to learn more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD but it is possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can employ strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you change your negative thinking patterns. You can also create a support network and practice mindfulness to reduce your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD and help you live a happier and more fulfilling life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, because they can cause more symptoms. If you're in an abusive relationship, get counseling to learn the best method to leave. This can lower the chance of experiencing feelings of rejection such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on healthy relationships that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will allow you to feel more confident about your abilities and provide you with an unbiased view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky behavior. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of having sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can cause feelings of shame and guilt and can have a negative impact on their relationships as well as their overall health.
One study surveyed adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those without the disorder. This was true for both males and females. This could be due to the higher levels of impulsivity that could make them more likely to to act on sexual thoughts and desires. The study found that women who have adhd are more likely to engage paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included submissive roles play, bondage and sexual relations with strangers. It was also common for them to go out to sexual clubs and parties.
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 was due to lack of impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This could be due to their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood, or criticized by their partners. The survey asked respondents about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 provides the results of this section.
In the final analysis, the study utilized the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to ask participants about their sexual issues. This questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using 5 points, ranging between 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score, more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behaviours 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, like STI's, unwanted pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD experience difficulties in their relationships with loved ones. A lack of clear communication and misunderstandings due to symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness can cause frustration, resentment, and even conflict within the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a supportive network of family and friends who understand.
It is important to remember that people with ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are easily distracted by their thoughts or their impulsive behavior, which could cause them to miss out on the main reason for a discussion. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which could cause them to mute conversations or do something else while another person is talking.
These struggles can result in an unbalanced relationship where the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. The issue can get worse in the meantime as they become more isolated.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They might experience feelings of low self-esteem and shame because of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel like they can't keep up with their household chores and bills. They can also suffer from mood swings and rejection sensitivity as well as low sexual drive.
For these reasons, it is vital for those with ADHD to develop an effective treatment plan and seek help. It is also important for family members particularly spouses to understand the disorder and how it affects their loved one. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they will come up with an action plan to achieve their goals. The non-ADHD partner could assume more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and finishing the housework.
Additionally, both partners must work together to communicate more clearly and effectively, and establish a routine that includes regular sleep patterns, meal times, and time for rest and relaxation. It is also crucial to discover ways to make life simpler for both parties, such as sharing household chores or outsourcing some of the tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD for example, hiring a cleaning service or utilizing apps to manage costs.