High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during periods of hormonal changes, such as the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Many girls and women use compensatory strategies to hiding their impairments and symptoms which may delay the time until referral.
This group of patients faces particular challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Lack of self-esteem
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social issues of ADHD. 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 endless cycle of feeling overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative impact on their mental health.
Girls with ADHD who are not treated are at a greater risk for chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they are more likely to be single-parents to a child with ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or unemployment. They're also more likely to be struggling with eating disorders, and their negative patterns could be passed on to their children.
It's essential that girls receive a diagnosis since it will help them better understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel much more confident after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop beating themselves up over the little things they can't control. It can also help them reframe their struggles and refocus on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women mature and approach menopausal age their hormone levels alter and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. It is often difficult to identify and treat women with ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be mistakenly diagnosed 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 family and friends. The symptoms can affect women's daily routines which can make her angry and exhausted. She might feel like she cannot turn down people, causing her to be overwhelmed and angry with people who are around her. It could be difficult to organize her home and work life which can lead to missing appointments and lost files. She can also 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 makes you feel extremely when you're being rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or an unkind comment from a co-worker at work can trigger you. 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 may also experience depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations as a result of sensitive to rejection.
While it's often associated with ADHD Rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain manages emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder could be a sign of these symptoms too.
People with RSD might see events through filters that make them appear darker or dimmer than they really are. This can cause them to perceive and interpret things as if they are related to rejection, even if they're not. RSD can cause you to be in a state of being unable to control your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage RSD.
Learn more about the sensitivity to rejection by reading the articles below:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can use coping techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also establish a support network and practice mindfulness to lessen your chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you overcome your RSD to live a more fulfilling and happy life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, because they can cause more symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counseling to discover the best way to leave. This will reduce the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection like depression and anxiety. By focusing on healthy relationships that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and provide an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This can result in sexual dysfunctions or risky sexual behavior. Women who have high functioning adhd may be at greater risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can result in feelings of shame and guilt which can have a negative impact on their relationships as well as their overall health.
In one study, adults with ADHD were found to be more likely than those with ADHD to have adventurous sexual fascination. This was true for both males and females. This could be due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can cause them to be more likely act on their sexual ideas and desires. The study found that females who have adhd are more likely to indulge in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included bondage, submissive roles and sex with strangers. They also went to sex events and nightclubs more often.
simply click for source and females with adhd had a greater rate of infidelity than those without the disorder. This was due to their poor impulse control and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This is probably due to their greater levels of anxiety, and feeling misunderstood or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 presents the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire from participants about their sexual problems. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a five-point scale between 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was utilized to assess sexual behavior between adults with ADHD and those without.
These findings are significant, because the psychosexual results for adults with ADHD were not studied as often. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions like STI's, unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have issues in their relationships with loved ones. A lack of communication, and miscommunication due to issues like inattention and forgetfulness can cause anger, resentment, and even conflict within the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a network of friends and family members who understand.
It is important to remember that those with ADHD have trouble listening. They are often interrupted by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which may cause them to lose the purpose of the conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in multitasking which could cause them to lose track of conversations or perform other things while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can result in an unending cycle where the person who isn't ADHD is overwhelmed by stress and resentment and the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. They can then become more withdrawn, and the problem escalates from there.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They may feel shame and low self-esteem because of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel like they're unable to keep up with their household chores and bills. They might also feel mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sexual desire.
It is essential that those with ADHD find a treatment and seek out help. It is also crucial for their family members particularly spouses to understand the disorder and how it affects their loved ones. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can come up with an action plan to meet their goals. For example the partner who is not ADHD could assume more financial responsibility, while the person with ADHD might be focused on organizing and completing housework.
Both partners should also be working 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 essential to find ways to make things easier for both of you, such as splitting household chores, or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for the person with ADHD like hiring a cleaning service or utilizing apps to manage costs.