High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be unhappy and are often misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during periods of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies in order to cover their symptoms and impairments could delay referral.
This group of patients has particular problems that must be considered when treating them.
1. Self-esteem issues
Women can be depressed by the social and emotional challenges of ADHD. Even when they're doing well and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure due to things they aren't able to control. This can create a vicious cycle where they feel constantly overwhelmed and never quite good enough which can take a toll on their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls who don't have treatment for ADHD are more at risk of having low self-esteem for a long time, teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at a higher risk of becoming single-parents of a child with ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or underemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their negative habits can be passed on to their children.
It's essential that girls receive a diagnosis since it will help them better recognize their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel more empowered after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop beating themselves up over the little things they are unable to control. It can also help them reframe their problems and refocus them on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopausal, their hormone levels can change, and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It is often difficult to identify and treat women with ADHD because their symptoms may be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt daily routines, making her feeling exhausted and angry. She might feel that she is unable to say no to people, leading her to overburden herself and feel resentful towards people close to her. It could be difficult to manage the work and home lives of her children and this can lead to missing appointments and lost files. Additionally, she could be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, which means she is more likely to be defensive and snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel extremely hurt when you are rejected. This can be real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or an unkind comment from a colleague at work can trigger you. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated, resulting in thoughts, feelings and beliefs that could harm your self-esteem and relationships. You can also experience depression, anxiety and mood fluctuations as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, while typically associated with ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder can also show these symptoms.
RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they are. This can cause them to interpret and perceive things as rejection related, 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.
Check out the following articles to learn more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the help of a mental healthcare professional. You can use coping techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and build a network of support to decrease your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to live a happier and more satisfying life. Avoid toxic relationships as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counsel to find out how to get out. This can reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on healthy relationships, you can improve your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and give you an objective view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can cause sexual dysfunctions or risky behavior. Women who have high functioning adhd might be more at risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment, which can affect their relationships and well-being.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than those with ADHD to exhibit a sexual fascination. This was true for both males and females. This is likely due to the greater impulsivity levels that could make them more likely to be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. In particular, the study showed that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles, bondage and sexing with strangers. They also went to sex events and clubs more often.
Both males and females with adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than those without the disorder. This was due to poor impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This could be due to their greater levels of anxiety and a feeling of being misunderstood or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with extra-partner sexual relations and sexual interactions without use of contraception. Table 6 presents the results for this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using a 5-point scale, between 1 (never to 5 (very often)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was used to evaluate the sexual behaviors of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These findings are significant due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of adults with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult onset infidelity, and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their relationships with loved ones. adhd in women adults of clear communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can lead to frustration, resentment, and conflict within the relationship. A strong group of family and friends members who understand can be beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships.
It is important to remember that people who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors which could cause them to lose focus on the main reason for a discussion. People with ADHD might also have difficulty multitasking, which can lead them to tune out conversations or to do something else while another person is talking.
These battles can create a cycle where the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with anger and stress, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. The problem can escalate in the meantime as they become more isolated.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their lives. They may experience feelings of guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel that they can't keep up with their bills and chores. They may also experience mood swings and rejection sensitivity as well as low sex drive.
It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek assistance. It is essential that the people closest to them, particularly spouses, learn more about ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to set the right expectations and boundaries and then devise an action plan to can achieve those objectives. The non-ADHD partner can assume more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing the housework.
Both partners should work to improve their communication and create a routine that includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times and time for relaxation and rest. It is also essential to discover ways to make life simpler for both parties by sharing household chores or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for the person with ADHD, such as hiring an expert cleaning service or using apps to control costs.