High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. Symptoms can heighten at periods of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies to hide their symptoms and impairments can delay referral.
This group of patients has a unique set challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The social and emotional challenges that come with ADHD can cause women to feel low. Even when they're doing well it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they can't control. This can result in an endless feeling of being overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative impact on their mental well-being.
Girls who aren't treated for ADHD are more at risk of having low self-esteem for a long time and anxiety, teen pregnancy depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at an increased risk of single-parenting a child with ADHD and financial difficulties, as well as underemployment. They are also more likely than others to suffer from eating disorders and pass their bad habits onto their children.
It's crucial for girls to receive an assessment, as it will provide them with a better understanding of their struggles and help them manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women report feeling more confident after receiving an diagnosis. They can stop being a victim of things they cannot manage. It helps them to see their difficulties as strengths and refocus their attention on the things that matter most (Waite, 2010).
As women age and approach menopausal, their hormone levels can change and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. This makes it more difficult for them to be identified and treated since they are often misdiagnosed as an anxiety or mood disorder, and their symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with friends and family. Symptoms may interfere with a woman's daily routine, leaving her irritable and exhausted. She might feel like she cannot turn down people, leading her to become overburdened and angry with people around her. She may find it difficult organizing her home and work life, which can lead to delayed appointments and lost documents. She could also be more easily triggered when she is rejected, making her more likely to snap at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel very hurt when rejected. It could be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a coworker at work can trigger your symptoms. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result could harm your self-esteem and relationships. You can also experience anxiety, depression, and mood fluctuations as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.
Although it's often linked to ADHD 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 like borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, which makes them appear darker or brighter than they actually are. This can cause them to interpret and interpret events as rejection-related, even when they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult time regulating your emotions which is why it is important to have coping strategies that are healthy to manage this.
Read the articles below to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to treat 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 thinking patterns. You can also develop mindfulness and build a network of support to decrease your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This will aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more fulfilled and happier life. It is also crucial to avoid toxic relationships as they can make your symptoms worse. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek out counseling to find out how you can get out. This can reduce your risk of feeling depressed and anxious such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on relationships that are healthy that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and provide you with a more realistic perspective on the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviors. Women with high functioning adhd may be at greater risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt, which can have a negative effect on the quality of their relationships and overall well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those without the disorder. This was the case for both males and females. This could be due to their more impulsive levels, which can make them more likely to act on sexual desires and thoughts. The study found that women who suffer from adhd are more likely to indulge in paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included submissive roles, bondage and sex with strangers. They also went to sex events and clubs more often.
Both women and men with adhd were more likely be in a relationship than those who didn't have the disorder. navigate here was due their poor control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. It could also be because of their higher rates of anxiety and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations that were not contraceptive. add symptoms in women summarizes the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to ask participants about their problematic sexual behavior. This questionnaire consists of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a five-point scale from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behavior of adults with and without ADHD.
These findings are important because the psychosexual outcomes of people with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions like unwanted pregnancy and STIs relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult-onset infidelity, as well as risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings triggered by symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness may result in anger, frustration, and conflict within the relationship. A strong network of family and friends members who are able to understand each other can be helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind that those with ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are often interrupted by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which can cause them to miss the point of a conversation. People with ADHD might also have difficulty multitasking, which can lead them to tune out 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 is misunderstood and defensive. The problem can escalate in the meantime as they become more withdrawn.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of daily life. They might experience feelings of guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel as if they can't keep up with their household chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings and rejection sensitivity as well as low sexual drive.
For these reasons, it is crucial for people with ADHD to develop a treatment plan and seek help. It is important that those who are closest to them, including spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. They can then develop a plan to achieve their goals. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing housework.
Both partners should strive to improve their communication and create a routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It's important to discover ways to make things easier for both spouses, such as splitting household chores or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for someone with ADHD.