High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. The symptoms can be more severe in times of hormonal changes like premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to mask their impairments and symptoms can delay referral.
This patient group faces particular problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women can be depressed by the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even when they're doing well, it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they can't control. This can create an unending cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never satisfied and can affect their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who don't have treatment for ADHD are at greater risk of having low self-esteem for a long time as well as anxiety, teen pregnancy depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at a higher risk of becoming parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or 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 a diagnosis, because it will give them a better understanding of their struggles and help them manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving an diagnosis. They can now stop getting angry about things they can't control. It can also help them reframe their difficulties as strengths and help them focus their attention on the things that matter most (Waite 2010,).
As women age and enter menopausal age, their hormone levels could change, and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD because their symptoms may be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on women's self-esteem and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can disrupt daily routines, leaving her feeling exhausted and angry. It is possible that she cannot refuse to be around people, leading her to overburden herself and become angry with people close to her. She may find it difficult organizing her work and home life, which leads to missed appointments and lost documents. She may be more prone to being triggered when she is rejected which makes her more likely to snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. This could be real or perceived. You could be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative review from a colleague at work. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated and result in thoughts and feelings that can harm your self-esteem and relationships. You can also experience depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, while typically associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects the way your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health issues such as borderline personality disorder can also show these symptoms.
People with RSD may view events through an eye that makes them appear darker or less than they actually are. This could cause them to interpret things as being related to rejection, even if they aren't. RSD can make you unable to control your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping strategies to manage RSD.
You can find out more about the issue of rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to treat symptoms with the assistance of a mental healthcare professional. signs and symptoms of adhd in women can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you change your negative thought patterns. You can also engage in mindfulness and build a community of support to lessen your chance of experiencing negative reactions to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and help you live a happier and more satisfying life. Avoid toxic relationships because they can cause more symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counseling to learn the best method to leave. This will help lessen the risk of having feelings of rejection, like anxiety and depression. You can also boost your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident in your abilities and give a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviors. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at higher risk of developing these sexual issues than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt, which can negatively impact their relationships and well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those without the disorder. Both males and women were affected. This is likely due to the higher levels of impulsivity that could make them more likely to to act on sexual thoughts and desires. Particularly, the study revealed that women with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive role-play and bondage as well as sexual relations with strangers. It was also more common for them to go out to sex clubs and parties.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely to be in a relationship than those who did not have the disorder. This is due to their weak control of impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition. This could also be a result of their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey asked respondents about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their sexual issues. The questionnaire is comprised of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on five-point scale, starting from 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score, more symptoms are present. The HBI-19 was used in order to evaluate sexual behaviors between people who suffer from ADHD and those who do not.
These findings are significant, because the psychosexual results for adults with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unwanted pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have issues in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings triggered by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness may lead to frustration, anger and conflict in a relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted 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 can be interrupted easily by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which could cause them to miss the point of an exchange. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle with multitasking as well and can cause them to lose track of conversations or do other things while someone else talks.
These conflicts can lead to 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 from there, as they become more withdrawn.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by their daily demands. They may experience shame or low self-esteem because of their impulsive, disorganized behavior. It is also possible that they feel like they cannot keep up with their obligations and bills. They might also be suffering from mood swings and rejection sensitivity as well as low sex drive.
It is important that those who suffer from ADHD seek treatment and seek help. It is crucial that those who are closest to them, particularly spouses, understand ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. They can then create an action plan to achieve their goals. For instance the partner who is not ADHD could take on more of the financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD might be focused on organizing and completing housework.
Additionally, both partners must work together to communicate more efficiently and clearly and establish a regular routine that incorporates regular sleep patterns, meal times, and time for rest and relaxation. It is also essential to find ways to make things simpler for both parties by dividing household chores, or outsourcing some of the tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD like hiring a cleaning service or using apps to manage expenses.