High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. The symptoms can become more severe during times of hormonal change, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to mask their symptoms and impairments can delay the time for referral.
This patient group has a unique set of problems which must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Self-esteem issues
The social and emotional challenges that come with ADHD can make women feel down. Even when they're successful and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure because of things they can't control. This can create an unending cycle of feeling overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative effect on their mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at a higher risk of having low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a higher chance of depression, anxiety, and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at an greater risk of being the sole parent to children with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely to struggle with eating disorders, and their negative habits can be passed on to their children.
It's crucial that girls receive a diagnosis since it will allow them to better comprehend their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel more at ease after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop beating themselves up over the little things they can't control. It can also help to reframe their problems and refocus them on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopause the hormone levels of their bodies change and ADHD symptoms can get worse. 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".
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating impacts on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can affect daily routines, leaving her feeling exhausted and angry. It is possible that she cannot say no to anyone which causes her to burden herself and become angry with those close to her. She may find it difficult to manage her work and home life and this can lead to missed appointments and lost files. Additionally, she could be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to be defensive and even lash out at the people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel extremely when you're rejected, whether it is real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or an insult from a co-worker at work can trigger you. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms become overwhelmed and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result can hurt your self-esteem and relationships. You can also experience depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations as a result of rejection sensitivity.
While it's often associated with ADHD Rejection sensitivity is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain manages emotions and the way you react to them. Other mental health issues like borderline personality disorder could be a sign of these symptoms too.
RSD patients can see events through a filter, which makes them appear darker or brighter than they actually are. This can cause them to interpret and perceive things as being related to rejection even though they're not. RSD can cause you to be incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with RSD.
Read the articles below to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to treat symptoms with the assistance of a mental health professional. You can use coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you modify your negative thought patterns. You can also engage in mindfulness and build a community of support to decrease the chance of having negative reactions to rejection. This can help you overcome your RSD so that you can live a more satisfying and happy life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, since they can worsen your symptoms. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn the best way to leave. This can lower the chance of rejection related feelings like depression and anxiety. By focusing on relationships that are healthy and relationships, you can boost your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your capabilities and provide an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can result in sexual dysfunctions or risky sexual behaviors. Women who have high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can cause feelings of shame and guilt and can negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those without the disorder. Both males and women were affected. This could be due to their higher levels of impulsivity which can make them more likely to act on sexual desires and thoughts. In inattentive adhd in women , the study showed that women with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and actions. This included submissive role-play bondage, sexual contact with strangers. It was also more typical for them to go to sexual clubs and parties.
Both men and women with adhd were more likely to be in a relationship than those who didn't have the disorder. This is due to their lack of impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This is likely due to their higher levels of insecurity, and feeling misunderstood or misjudged by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 presents the results for this section.
Lastly, add test for women used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire from participants about their sexual problems. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is rated on a five-point scale that ranges from 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 people with ADHD and those without.
signs of adhd in women are significant because the psychosexual experiences of adults with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, like STI's, unwanted pregnancies, relationship problems, infidelity that begins at the onset of adulthood and adolescence and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their relationships with loved ones. Insufficient communication and miscommunication caused by signs such as inattention and forgetfulness may cause anger, frustration and conflict within the relationship. A supportive group of family and friends members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind, too, that people who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time listening. They can be interrupted easily by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which could cause them to lose the purpose of an exchange. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which can lead them to tune out conversations or to do something else while someone else is talking.
These struggles can lead to a vicious cycle where the person who is not ADHD is overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. The issue could escalate from there as they become more isolated.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of daily life. They may feel shame and low self-esteem because of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel like they're not able to handle their household chores and bills. They might also be suffering from mood swings and rejection sensitivity, as well as low sexual drive.
It is essential that those with ADHD seek treatment and seek help. It is also essential for those close to them particularly spouses to understand the condition and how it affects their loved ones. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can develop a plan to achieve their goals. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD would focus on organizing and completing housework.
In addition, both parties should work to communicate more clearly and effectively and establish a regular routine that incorporates regular sleep patterns, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It is essential to find ways to make things easier for both of you, like sharing household chores or outsource certain tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD.