High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during times of hormonal change, such as the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies in order to cover their symptoms and impairments could delay referral.
This group of patients faces specific issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The emotional and social challenges associated with ADHD can make women feel down. Even when they are successful, it is easy to feel like failing because of the things they can't change. This can result in an unending cycle of feeling overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative impact on their mental well-being.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at a higher risk of having low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As inattentive add in women , they're more likely to be parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or unemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their negative habits can be passed on to their children.
It's essential that girls receive a diagnosis since it will help them better understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel more confident after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop beating themselves up over the small things they cannot control. It can also help them reframe their difficulties as strengths and focus their attention on what matters most (Waite 2010,).
As women mature and approach menopause their hormone levels alter, and ADHD symptoms can get worse. This makes it more difficult for them to be identified and treated, as they're often misdiagnosed as an 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 women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect a woman's daily routine, leaving her irritable and exhausted. She may feel she can't refuse to be around people and end up overburdened herself and become angry with the people closest to her. She might find it difficult to manage her work and home life which can lead to missed appointments and lost files. She could be more prone to being affected by rejection which makes her more likely to lash out at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. It could be real or perceived. You could be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative comment from a coworker at work. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated and result in thoughts, feelings and beliefs that could harm your relationships and self esteem. Sensitivity to rejection can cause anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations.
Although it's often linked to ADHD, rejection sensitiveness is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain manages emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be seen in other mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they are. This can lead them to interpret things as being related to rejection even if they aren't. RSD can cause you to be unable to control your emotions. This is why it is crucial to develop healthy coping strategies to deal with RSD.
You can learn more about rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:
Although there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the help of a mental healthcare professional. You can use coping techniques like cognitive behavior therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also engage in mindfulness and build a community of support to decrease your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to lead a more pleasant and fulfilling life. It is also important to avoid relationships that are toxic as they can make your symptoms worse. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counsel to find out the best way to leave. This can help you reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, such as depression and anxiety. You can also improve your self-esteem by building healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and give you an unbiased view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviors. Women with adhd that is high functioning are at a higher risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can also trigger feelings of shame and guilt and can negatively impact their relationships and well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those without the disorder. Both males and women were affected. This is probably due to the higher levels of impulsivity that can make them more likely act on their sexual ideas and desires. The study found that females who have adhd are more likely to engage in sexual fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles, bondage, and sex with strangers. They also went to sex parties and nightclubs more often.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely to be infidelity than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This is due to their weak control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This could be due to their greater levels of anxiety and a feeling of being misunderstood or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 outlines the results from this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19), which asked participants to discuss their problematic sexual behaviors. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, between 1 (never to 5 (very often)). The higher the score, the more symptoms are 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 results for adults with ADHD were not studied as often. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction and adult onset infidelity, and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have issues in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication, and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can cause frustration, resentment, and even conflict in the relationship. A supportive network of family and friends members who can understand is beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to note that those with ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior, which could cause them to lose focus on the central reason for a discussion. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which can cause them to mute conversations or perform other tasks while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle where the person who isn't ADHD is overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. They then tend to become more withdrawn and the issue can escalate from there.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their lives. They may feel guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel as if they can't keep up with their chores and bills. They may also have mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sexual desire.
For these reasons, it is essential for those with ADHD to find a treatment plan and seek out help. It is also important for their family members particularly spouses, to understand the condition and how it affects the person they love. They can collaborate to set clear expectations and boundaries, then come up with a plan for how they will meet those goals. For instance the partner who is not ADHD could be more involved in the financial responsibility, while the person with ADHD might be focused on the task of organizing and finishing housework.
Both partners should work to improve communication and establish a routine, which includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It is important to find ways to make things easier for both spouses, such as dividing household tasks or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD.