High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe during periods of hormonal changes, like the premenstrual or menstrual cycles.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies in order to cover their impairments and symptoms can delay referral.
This group of patients faces specific challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
Women can be depressed by the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when they're doing well, it's easy to feel like a failure for things they cannot control. This can result in an unending cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never quite good enough which can be detrimental to their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls who aren't treated for ADHD are more at risk of developing chronic low self-esteem as well as anxiety, teen pregnancy depression and substance abuse. As adults, they're at greater risk of being the sole parent to children with ADHD and financial problems, as well as underemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their unhealthy patterns could be passed on to their children.
It is crucial for girls to get an accurate diagnosis because it will give them an understanding of their challenges and allow them to manage their symptoms more effectively. 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 manage. It can also help to reframe their issues and help them focus on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopause their hormone levels may change and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat women with ADHD as their symptoms could be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Being diagnosed with untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on women's self-esteem and her relationships with friends and family. Symptoms may interfere with women's daily routines that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. It is possible that she can't refuse people, causing her to become overburdened and angry with those around her. It can be difficult to manage her work and home life, which can lead to missed appointments and lost documents. She may be more prone to being angered when she is not liked, making her more likely to snap at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel intensely when you're being rejected, whether it is real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or an insult from a co-worker at work can trigger your symptoms. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated, resulting in thoughts and feelings that could harm your self-esteem and relationships. You can also experience anxiety, depression and mood changes due to rejection sensitivity.
Rejection sensitivity, which is often associated with ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain processes emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be seen in other mental health disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they really are. This causes them to perceive and interpret things as being related to rejection, even though they are not. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult time regulating your emotions which is why it's crucial to have coping strategies that are healthy to handle this.
Check out the following articles to learn more about the sensitivity to rejection.
While there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you 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 will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD and help you lead a more pleasant and fulfilled life. Avoid toxic relationships, as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, get counsel to find out the best way to leave. This will reduce the risk of feeling depressed and anxious such as depression and anxiety. You can also boost your self-esteem by developing healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident in your abilities and provide an objective view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviors. Women with adhd that is high functioning might be more at risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can lead to feelings of shame and guilt and can have a negative effect on the quality of their relationships as well as their overall health.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to be sexually adventurous. interest. This was the case for males and females. This is likely due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can cause them to be more likely act on their sexual ideas and desires. The study revealed that females who suffer from adhd are more likely to engage in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive roles play and bondage as well as sex with strangers. They also attended sex parties and nightclubs more often.
Both women and men with adhd were more likely to be in a relationship than those who didn't have the disorder. This is due to their poor impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This could be due to their greater levels of anxiety and being misunderstood, or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey asked participants to describe their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relations that were not contraceptive. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire from participants about their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire consists of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using five-point scale, starting from 1 (never to 5 (very frequently)). The higher the score the more symptomatology it has. see it here -19 was developed in order to evaluate sexual behaviors between adults with ADHD and those without.
These findings are important due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of people with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions such as STI's and unwanted pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, infidelity that begins at the onset of adulthood and adolescence and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication, and miscommunication due to issues like forgetfulness and inattention can cause frustration, resentment, and a conflict within the relationship. A supportive network of family and friends members who can understand is beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind that those with ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their thoughts or their impulsive behavior which could result in them missing out on the primary reason for a discussion. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which can lead them to mute conversations or do something else while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle in which the partner who is not ADHD is overwhelmed by stress and resentment and the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. The issue can get worse from there as they become more distant.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of daily life. They may experience feelings of shame and low self-esteem because of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel that they're not able to handle their household chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings and rejection sensitivity, as well as low sex drive.
Because of this, it is vital for those with ADHD to establish an effective treatment plan and seek help. It is important that the people closest to them, particularly spouses, understand ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they will create an action plan to reach their goals. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and finishing the chores at home.
Both partners should be working to improve communication and establish a routine, which includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It is important to find ways to make things easier for both of you, like sharing household chores or outsource certain tasks which are challenging for people with ADHD.