High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during times of hormonal change like the pre-menstrual period and pregnancy.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies to hide their impairments and symptoms can delay the time for referral.
This group of patients faces a unique set of issues that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
The emotional and social challenges associated with ADHD can cause women to feel low. Even when they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're failing because of the things they cannot change. This can result in an unending cycle where they feel constantly overwhelmed and never good enough and can take a toll on their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls with untreated ADHD are at higher risk of chronic low self-esteem, anxiety, teen pregnancy, depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they are at a higher risk of becoming parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and facing financial hardship or unemployment. They're also more likely to be struggling with eating disorders, and their negative habits can be passed on to their children.
It's essential that women get a diagnosis as it will allow them to better comprehend their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel much more confident after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop beating themselves up over the small things they cannot control. It can also help to reframe their struggles and refocus on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women mature and approach menopausal age, their hormone levels change, and ADHD symptoms can get worse. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD as their symptoms could be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can disrupt the woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. She may feel she can't refuse to be around people which causes her to burden herself and become resentful of the people closest to her. She may find it difficult to manage her home and work life, leading to missed appointments and lost files. She may also be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, which means she is more likely to react defensively and lash out at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel extremely hurt when you are rejected. This can be real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or an insult from a colleague at work could trigger you. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result can hurt your self-esteem and relationships. The sensitivity to rejection can also cause anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations.
Although it's often linked to ADHD The issue of rejection sensitivity is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain handles emotions and the way you react to them. The symptoms can also be seen in other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, which makes them appear darker or brighter than they really are. This makes them more likely to interpret things as rejection-related, even when they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a hard to control your emotions which is why it's crucial to have healthy coping strategies to manage this.
You can learn more about the sensitivity to rejection by reading the following articles:
Although there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the help of a mental healthcare professional. You can utilize strategies for coping, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which can help you change your negative thought patterns. You can also build an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to lower your chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you overcome your RSD to live a more satisfying and happy life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If women and adhd in a abusive relationship, seek counsel to find out how to get out. This can help you lessen the risk of having feelings of rejection, like anxiety and depression. You can also increase your self-esteem by focusing on developing healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident about your capabilities and provide an objective view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviours. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at higher risk of having sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can result in feelings of shame and guilt which can have a negative impact on the quality of their relationships and overall well-being.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to exhibit a sexual curiosity. Both genders were affected. This is probably due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can cause them to be more likely act on their sexual ideas and desires. The study found that females who have adhd are more likely to indulge in paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included submissive role play, bondage and sexual contact with strangers. It was also more 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 is due to their weak control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This could be due to their higher levels of insecurity, and feeling misunderstood or criticized by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire consists of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. women and adhd is scored on a five-point scale that ranges from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was used in order to compare sexual behaviors between people with ADHD and those without.
These results are important since the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD were not studied as often. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction infidelity that begins at the onset of adulthood and adolescence and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have trouble in their romantic relationships. Lack of clear communication and misunderstandings triggered by symptoms such as forgetfulness and inattention can cause anger, frustration, and conflict within relationships. Maintaining healthy relationships can be helped by a network of friends and family members who understand.
It is crucial to keep in mind, too, that people with ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are often interrupted by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which can cause them to lose the purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which could cause them to shut out conversations or perform other tasks while someone else is talking.
These battles can create a cycle where the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood, and defensive. The issue could escalate from there, as they become more withdrawn.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They may be feeling shame or low self-esteem due to their impulsive, unorganized behavior. Or they might feel that they are unable to manage their bills and chores. They can also suffer from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection as well as low sexual drive.
It is important that those with ADHD seek treatment and seek assistance. It is crucial that those closest to them, particularly spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. They can then come up with an action plan to reach their goals. For high functioning adhd in women who is not ADHD could be more involved in the financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD may be more focused on the task of organizing and finishing housework.
Both partners should also work to improve their communication and create a routine, which includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times and time for relaxation and rest. It is also crucial to find ways to make things easier for both of you by sharing household chores or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD like hiring cleaning services or utilizing apps to manage costs.