High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes, like premenstrual and pregnancy periods.
Many girls and women are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, hiding their impairments and symptoms which may delay the time until referral.
This patient group faces a unique set problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Lack of self-esteem
The social and emotional challenges that accompany ADHD can make women feel low. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're an failure due to things they can't change. This can create an unending cycle where they feel constantly overwhelmed and never quite good enough and can affect their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at greater risk for chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. As adults, they are at a higher risk of becoming single-parents of a child with ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or unemployment. They are also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass their bad habits on to their children.
It is essential that women receive a diagnosis because it will help them recognize their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel much 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 reframe their struggles and refocus on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopausal, their hormone levels change, and ADHD symptoms may get worse. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat women with ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have a devastating impact on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect the woman's daily routine, leaving her irritable and exhausted. She may feel she can't say no to anyone and end up overburdened herself and become angry with people close to her. She might have difficulty organizing her home and work life, which can lead to missing appointments and documents getting lost. She could be more prone to being angered when she is not liked and is more likely to snap at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. This can be real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or an insult from a co-worker at work can trigger your symptoms. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result can hurt your self-esteem and relationships. There are also depression, anxiety and mood swings as a result of rejection sensitivity.
Rejection sensitivity, which is often associated with ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This affects the way your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health conditions like borderline personality disorder could be a sign of these symptoms too.
People with RSD might see events through filters that make them appear darker or dimmer than they really are. This can cause people to interpret things as being related to rejection, even if they aren't. RSD can cause you to be incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with RSD.
Check out the following articles to learn more about the sensitivity to rejection.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can utilize strategies for coping, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which helps change your negative thinking patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and build a community of support to reduce your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This will help you overcome your RSD to live a more fulfilling and happier life. It is also crucial to avoid toxic relationships as they can cause symptoms to become worse. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counsel to find out how to get out. This can help you lower the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, such as anxiety and depression. By focusing on relationships that are healthy, you can improve your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and give you a more realistic perspective on the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can cause sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of having sexual problems than non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also trigger feelings of shame and guilt which may negatively impact their relationships and well-being.
One study surveyed adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those without the disorder. This was the case for males and females. This is probably due to the increased levels of impulsivity which could make them more likely to act on their sexual ideas and desires. The study found that women with adhd are more likely to engage paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included submissive role-play, bondage and sex with strangers. It was also more common for them to go to sexual clubs and parties.
Both men and women with adhd were more likely be infidelity than those who didn't have the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. This could be due to their greater levels of anxiety, and feeling misunderstood or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with extra-partner sexual relations and sexual interactions without use of contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
In the final analysis, the study utilized the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to ask participants about their problematic sexual behavior. This questionnaire consists of 19 items that are grouped into three subscales. Each item is scored using a 5-point scale, from 1 (never to 5 (very frequently)). The higher the score, more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was utilized to evaluate sexual behaviors between people who suffer from ADHD and those without.
These results are important, because the psychosexual outcomes for adults with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions such as STI's and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.
4. adhd in women treatment with high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication and miscommunication caused by symptoms such as forgetfulness and inattention could cause anger, frustration and conflict within a relationship. A supportive network of family and friends members who understand can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to remember that people with ADHD often have difficulty listening. They are often interrupted by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which may cause them to miss the main point of the conversation. People with ADHD might also have difficulty multitasking, which could cause them to shut out conversations or perform other tasks while another person is talking.
These battles can create a vicious cycle in which the person who isn't ADHD is overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD person feels untrusted. They may then become more introverted and the issue can escalate from there.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by their everyday demands. They may experience feelings of shame and low self-esteem because of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel that they're unable to keep up with their household chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and a lack of sexual desire.
It is essential that those with ADHD seek treatment and seek help. It is essential that the people closest to them, including spouses, learn more about ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can collaborate to set the right expectations and boundaries, then come up with a plan of how they can achieve those goals. The non-ADHD partner can take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and finishing the chores at home.
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 important to discover ways to make things easier for both of you, like splitting household chores or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD.
