High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe during times of hormonal changes like the premenstrual or pregnancy periods.
Many women and girls use compensatory strategies to masking their symptoms and impairments which may delay the time until referral.
This group of patients has particular issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Lack of self-esteem
The emotional and social challenges that accompany ADHD can make women feel down. Even if they're successful, it's easy to feel like failing because of the things they can't change. This can lead to an unending cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never quite good enough, which can affect their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at a higher chance of developing chronic low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. As adults, they are at greater risk of being single-parents to a child with ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or underemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their negative patterns can pass down to their children.
It is essential that women receive a diagnosis since it will help them better understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel much more confident after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop blaming themselves for the little things they can't manage. It can also help them reframe their struggles and refocus on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopausal, their hormone levels change and ADHD symptoms may get worse. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treated because they're often misdiagnosed as an anxiety or mood disorder and the symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have a devastating impact on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms can interfere with daily routines, making her feeling exhausted and angry. She may feel she can't refuse to be around people and end up overburdened herself and become resentful of the people closest to her. She may find it difficult to manage her work and home life, leading to missing appointments and lost files. Additionally, she could be more easily triggered by rejection so she may be more likely to react defensively and even lash out at the people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel extremely hurt when you are rejected. This could be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a co-worker at work can trigger your symptoms. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms become over-stimulated, and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result can hurt your self-esteem and relationships. Sensitivity to rejection can result in anxiety, depression and mood shifts.
Although it's often attributed to ADHD, rejection sensitivity is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be observed in other mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients can see events through a filter, making them appear darker or brighter than they really are. This causes them to interpret things as rejection-related, even when they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a hard to control your emotions, which is why it's important to have healthy coping strategies to manage this.
Check out the following articles to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
While there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the assistance of a mental healthcare professional. You can utilize strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you modify your negative thought patterns. You can also establish an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to lessen your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This will aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more fulfilled and happy life. Avoid toxic relationships as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek counseling to discover how to get out. This can lower the chance of rejection related feelings like depression and anxiety. By focusing on relationships that are healthy, you can improve your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident in your capabilities and provide a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviors. Women with high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can also lead to feelings of shame and guilt, which can have a negative effect on the quality of their relationships and overall well-being.
One study looked at adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those without the disorder. This was true for both males and females. This could be due to their higher levels of impulsivity which can make them more likely to act on sexual desires and thoughts. The study found that females who have adhd are more likely to indulge in paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included submissive roles, bondage, and sex with strangers. They also attended sex parties and clubs more often.
Both men and women with adhd were more likely be infidelity than those who didn't have the disorder. This is due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. It could also be due to their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by their partners. The survey also asked participants to share their experiences with extra-partner sexual relationships and sexual encounters without contraception. Table 6 provides the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to ask participants about their sexual issues. This questionnaire is composed of 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on five-point scale, starting between 1 (never to 5) (very often)). The higher the score the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behaviors of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These findings are significant due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of people with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as unwanted pregnancy and STIs, relationship dissatisfaction and adult-onset infidelity, as well as risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have trouble in their romantic relationships. A lack of communication, and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can lead to frustration, resentment, and conflict within the relationship. A supportive network of family and friends members who are able to understand each other can be helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is important to remember that those with ADHD have trouble listening. They can be interrupted easily by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which may cause them to lose the purpose of the conversation. People with ADHD might also have difficulty multitasking, which can cause them to mute conversations or do something else while someone else is talking.
adult add women can result in an unbalanced relationship where the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. The problem can escalate in the meantime as they become more distant.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They may experience feelings of shame and low self-esteem because of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel as if they can't keep up with their bills and chores. They may also experience mood swings and rejection sensitivity and low sexual drive.
It is important that those who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek assistance. It is crucial that those 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 develop a plan to meet their goals. The non-ADHD partner can take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD would focus on organizing and completing the housework.
Both partners should work to improve their communication and create a routine, which includes regular schedules for sleeping, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It is also crucial to discover ways to make life easier for both of you, such as sharing household chores or outsourcing some of the tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD, such as hiring a cleaning service or using apps to control costs.