High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe during times of hormonal changes, like premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to hide their impairments and symptoms can delay the time for referral.
This patient group faces specific issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Self-esteem issues
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even when they're doing well it's easy to feel like a failure for things they cannot control. This can create an endless cycle of feeling like they are constantly overwhelmed and never good enough which can affect their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at greater chance of developing chronic low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a higher chance of depression, anxiety, and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at higher risk of having a single parent for a child with ADHD and financial problems, as well as underemployment. They are also more likely than others to be afflicted by eating disorders and pass their bad habits on to their children.
It's essential that girls receive a diagnosis since it will allow them to better understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling more confident after receiving a diagnosis. They can now stop berating themselves over things they aren't able to control. It can also help to reframe their struggles and refocus on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and approach menopause their hormone levels may change, and ADHD symptoms could worsen. This can make it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated, as they're often misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorder, and their symptoms are viewed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating impacts on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with friends and family. Symptoms may interfere with women's daily routines, leaving her irritable and exhausted. She might feel that she is unable to refuse to be around people and end up overburdened herself and feel resentful towards the people closest to her. She may find it difficult organizing her home and work life, resulting in delayed appointments and lost documents. Additionally, she could be more easily triggered by rejection, therefore she's more likely to react defensively and snap at those she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel intensely when you're being rejected, whether it is real or perceived. It could be caused by an argument with your partner or a negative review from a colleague at work. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated and result in thoughts, feelings and beliefs that can harm your relationships and self esteem. You may also experience depression, anxiety and mood swings as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.
Although it's often attributed to ADHD The issue of rejection sensitivity 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 found in other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People with RSD may view events through a filter that makes them appear more dark or dimmer than they actually are. This can cause them to perceive and interpret things as being related to rejection, even though they are not. RSD can cause you to be unable to control your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage 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 symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can use coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps change your negative thought patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and build a community of support to decrease the chance of having negative reactions to rejection. This can aid you in overcoming your RSD so that you can live a more fulfilling and happy life. It is also essential to avoid toxic relationships as they can cause symptoms to become worse. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how you can safely leave. This will help lower the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on healthy relationships that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will make you feel more confident in your abilities and provide a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship challenging. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions or risky behavior. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at greater risk of experiencing these sexual problems than non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment which may affect their relationships and overall well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was the case for both males and females. This could be due to the higher levels of impulsivity that could make them more likely to be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. Specifically, the study found that females with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviours. This included submissive roles play and bondage as well as sexual relations with strangers. It was also common for them to attend 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 impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. It could also be a result of their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey also asked participants to share their experiences with sexual relations and sexual interactions without contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
In the final analysis, the study utilized the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their sexual problems. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on five-point scale, starting from 1 (never to 5 (very frequently)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behavior of adults with and without ADHD.
These findings are significant, since the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD were rarely studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions like unwanted pregnancy and STIs relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult onset infidelity, and dangerous sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have issues in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication, and miscommunication due to issues like forgetfulness and inattention can result in frustration, resentment, and even conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be helped by a network of family and friends who can understand.
It is crucial to keep in mind that those with ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors which could result in them missing out on the primary purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD might also have difficulty multitasking, which could cause them to shut out conversations or to do something else while other people are talking.
These conflicts can lead to a cycle where the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. The problem can escalate from there, as they become more distant.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They might experience feelings of guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel like they're unable to keep up with their bills and chores. They can also suffer from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection as well as low sex drive.
For these reasons, it is vital for those who suffer from ADHD to establish an effective treatment plan and seek out help. adhd in women checklist is also essential for their family members, especially spouses, to be aware of the disorder and how it affects their loved ones. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. They can then create an action plan to reach their goals. For instance the partner who is not ADHD could take on more of the financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD might be focused on completing chores and organizing the house.
Both partners must strive to improve communication and establish an established routine that includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times, and time for relaxation and rest. It is also crucial to discover ways to make life easier for both of you for example, sharing household chores or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for the person with ADHD like hiring cleaning services or using apps to control costs.