High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes, like the premenstrual or menstrual cycles.
Many women and girls use compensatory strategies to hiding their impairments and symptoms that can delay time to referral.
This group of patients has particular problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
Women can feel depressed by the social and emotional challenges of ADHD. Even if they're successful, it's easy to feel like an failure due to things they cannot change. This can result in an unending cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never satisfied, which can be detrimental to their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at a greater chance of developing chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs. As adults, they are at greater risk of being single-parents of a child with ADHD and facing financial hardship or unemployment. They are also more likely than others to suffer from eating disorders and pass on their bad habits to their children.
It's important for girls to receive a diagnosis, because it will provide them with an understanding of their issues and enable them to manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving an diagnosis. They can stop getting angry about things they aren't able to control. It can also help them reframe their problems and refocus them on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopause their hormone levels may change and ADHD symptoms may worsen. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treated because they're often misdiagnosed as an anxiety or mood disorder, and their symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt daily routines, making her exhausted and irritable. She might feel that she is unable to say no to anyone and end up overburdened herself and become resentful of those close to her. She might find it difficult to manage the work and home lives of her children and this can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She can also be more easily triggered by rejection which means she is more likely to react defensively and snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel very hurt when rejected. This could 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 defence mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts and feelings that can affect your relationships and self esteem. Rejection sensitivity can also lead to depression, anxiety and mood fluctuations.
Although it's often linked to ADHD The issue of rejection sensitivity is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder may also show these symptoms.
People with RSD may view events through filters that make them appear more dark or dimmer than they really are. This could 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 crucial to develop healthy coping strategies to deal with RSD.
Check out the following articles to learn more about the sensitivity to rejection.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the help of an expert in mental health. You can utilize coping techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking 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 allow you to lead a more pleasant and fulfilled life. It is also essential to stay clear of toxic relationships since they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you are in a abusive relationship, seek out counseling to learn how you can safely get out. This can reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, like anxiety and depression. You can also increase your self-esteem by focusing on creating healthy relationships. This will allow you to feel more confident about your abilities and provide you with a more realistic perspective on the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behavior. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at higher risk of developing these sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment which may affect their relationships and overall well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those who did not suffer from the disorder. Both males and women were affected. This could be due to their higher levels of impulsivity, which could make them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and ideas. In particular, the study showed that women with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles, bondage and sexing with strangers. It was also more common for them to go out to sex clubs and parties.
Both males and females with adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than those who did not have the disorder. This was due to poor impulse control and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. It could also be because of their higher rates of insecurity and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relationships without contraception. adhd in women uk summarizes the results of this section.
In the final analysis, the study utilized the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire from participants about their sexual issues. This questionnaire is composed of 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, from 1 (never to 5) (very often)). The higher the score, more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used in order to evaluate sexual behaviors between adults with ADHD and those without.
These results are important because the psychosexual outcomes of people with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been linked with sexual dysfunctions, such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult-onset infidelity, as well as dangerous sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD experience difficulties in their relationships with loved ones. A lack of communication and misunderstandings due to symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness can lead to anger, resentment and conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a network of friends and family members who understand.
It is also important to remember that people suffering from ADHD often have difficulty listening. They can be interrupted easily by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which could cause them to lose the purpose of the conversation. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which can cause them to tune out conversations or to do something else while other people are talking.
These struggles can lead to an unending cycle where the partner who is not ADHD is overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD person feels untrusted. They can then withdraw and the issue can escalate from there.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of daily life. They may be feeling guilt or self-esteem issues due to their impulsive and unorganized behavior. It is also possible that they feel that they are unable to manage their chores and bills. They can also suffer from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection as well as low sexual drive.
This is why it is vital for those with ADHD to find a treatment plan and seek assistance. It is also crucial for those close to them, especially spouses, to be aware of the disorder and how it affects their loved ones. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. They can then come up with an action plan to reach their goals. The non-ADHD partner can take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing the housework.
Additionally, both partners should be able to communicate efficiently and clearly and establish a regular routine that incorporates regular sleep schedules, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It's also important to discover ways to make life easier for both parties by sharing household chores or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD like hiring a cleaning service or using apps to manage expenses.