High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms can become more severe during periods of hormonal changes, such as the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Many girls and women use compensatory strategies to masking their symptoms and impairments, which can delay time to referral.
This group of patients has distinct problems which must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Self-esteem issues
Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're an failure due to things they can't change. This can result in an endless feeling of being overwhelmed and unsatisfied. This can have a negative effect on their mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at a greater risk for chronic low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they are at a higher risk of becoming single-parents of a child with ADHD and facing financial hardship or underemployment. They're also more likely than others to suffer from eating disorders and pass on their bad habits to their children.
It's essential that women receive a diagnosis because it will help them comprehend their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling confident after receiving a diagnosis. They are no longer being a victim of things they can't manage. It can also help them reframe their issues and help them focus on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopause their hormone levels may change and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It is often difficult to identify and treat people suffering from ADHD as their symptoms could be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with friends and family. Symptoms may interfere with women's daily routines which can make her angry and exhausted. She might feel like she can't refuse people, which causes her to become overburdened and resentful of those who are around her. It could be difficult to manage the work and home lives of her children which can lead to missed appointments and lost files. She may also be more easily angered when she is not liked which makes her more likely to lash out at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel very hurt when rejected. This can be real or perceived. You might be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative review from a colleague at work. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated, resulting in thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can harm your relationships and self esteem. There are also anxiety, depression and mood changes due to the sensitivity to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, while typically associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health disorders like borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People suffering from RSD may see events through filters that make them appear darker or dimmer than they really are. This could cause people to interpret things as being related to rejection, even though they're not. RSD can cause you to be in a state of being unable to control your emotions. This is why it is crucial to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage RSD.
Read the articles below to learn more about the sensitivity to rejection.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD but it is possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can use coping techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also engage in mindfulness and create a network of support to decrease your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This can aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more satisfying and happier life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, because they can cause more symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counsel to find out the best way to leave. This can help you reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, such as depression and anxiety. You can also boost your self-esteem by developing healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident about your capabilities and provide an objective view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This can cause sexual dysfunctions or risky behavior. Women with high functioning adhd might be more at risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can also cause feelings of guilt and shame and can have a negative impact on their relationships and overall wellbeing.
In one study, adults with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to have adventurous sexual interest. This was true for both males and females. This could be due to the increased levels of impulsivity which could make them more likely to to act on sexual thoughts and desires. Particularly, the study revealed that females with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and actions. 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 sexual clubs and parties.
Females and males with adhd had a greater rate of infidelity than people without the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. This is probably due to their greater levels of anxiety, and feeling misunderstood or criticized by their partners. The survey asked participants to describe their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their sexual problems. The questionnaire comprises 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using a 5-point scale, from 1 (never to 5) (very often)). The higher the score, the more symptoms are present. adult adhd symptoms women -19 was used to evaluate the sexual behavior of adults with and without ADHD.
These findings are significant, because the psychosexual results for adults with ADHD were rarely studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have issues with their relationships with loved ones. Insufficient communication and misunderstandings caused by signs such as forgetfulness and inattention could lead to frustration, anger, and conflict within a relationship. A supportive network of friends and family members who can understand is beneficial 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 could cause them to miss the main point of an exchange. People with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which can lead them to mute conversations or do something else while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can lead to a vicious cycle in which the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with anger and stress, and the ADHD partner is misunderstood and defensive. 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 their everyday life. They may experience low self-esteem or shame due to their impulsive and unorganized behavior. Or they might find themselves struggling to keep up with their obligations and bills. They can also suffer from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection as well as low sex drive.
It is essential that those with ADHD seek treatment and seek help. It is essential that those who are closest to them, including spouses, learn more about ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. They can then come up with 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 focus on completing chores and organizing the house.
Additionally, both partners should work to communicate more efficiently and clearly and establish a routine that includes regular sleeping schedules, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to discover ways to make things easier for both spouses, such as dividing household tasks or outsourcing certain tasks which are challenging for people with ADHD.
