High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes like the premenstrual or pregnancy cycles.
Many women and girls are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, masking their symptoms and impairments, which can delay time to referral.
This group of patients has a unique set problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when they are successful, it's easy to feel like they're an failure due to things they cannot change. This can result in an unending cycle of feeling overwhelmed and unsatisfied. This can have a negative impact on their mental well-being.
Girls who aren't treated for ADHD are at higher risk of having low self-esteem for a long time and anxiety, teen pregnancy, depression and substance abuse. As adults, they are at greater risk of being single-parents of a child with ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or unemployment. They're also more likely to be struggling with eating disorders, and their unhealthy patterns can pass down to their children.
It's essential that women receive a diagnosis since it will help them understand their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving an diagnosis. They can stop berating themselves over things they cannot manage. It can also help them reframe their struggles and refocus on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women mature and approach menopause their hormone levels alter, and ADHD symptoms may get worse. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat people suffering from 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 a devastating impact on self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect women's daily routines, leaving her irritable and exhausted. She may feel that she isn't able to refuse people, leading her to feel overwhelmed and angry with those around her. She might find it difficult to manage her work and home life and this can lead to missed appointments and lost files. She could also be more easily triggered when she is rejected, making her more likely to lash out at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel extremely hurt when you are rejected. It could be real or perceived. It could be caused by an argument with your partner or a negative comment from a coworker at work. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms become over-stimulated, and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result can harm your relationships and self-esteem. You can also experience depression, anxiety, and mood changes due to sensitive to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, although often linked to ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This affects the way your brain processes emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health disorders like borderline personality disorder may also show these symptoms.
People suffering from RSD may view events through filters that make them appear more dark or dimmer than they really are. This makes them more likely to interpret and interpret events as being related to rejection, even though they are not. RSD can cause you to be incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage RSD.
Learn more about the issue of rejection sensitivity by reading these articles:
Although there is no cure for RSD it is possible to treat symptoms with the assistance of a mental healthcare professional. You can utilize coping techniques like cognitive behavior therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also engage in mindfulness and build a network of support to decrease the chance of having negative reactions to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to lead a more pleasant and fulfilling life. It is also important to avoid toxic relationships as they can make your symptoms worse. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek counseling to discover the best way to leave. This can lower the chance of rejection related feelings like depression and anxiety. You can also improve your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident in your abilities and provide an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Women with adhd that is high functioning may be at greater risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt and can have a negative effect on their relationships and overall wellbeing.
In one study, adults with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to exhibit a sexual curiosity. Both genders were affected. This could be due to their higher levels of impulsivity, which could make them more likely to act on their sexual desires and ideas. Particularly, the study revealed that females with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive roles play, bondage and sexual relations with strangers. They also attended sex parties and nightclubs more often.
Both males and females with adhd had a higher rate of infidelity than people without the disorder. This was due to poor impulse control and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This could also be because of their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 provides the results of this section.
In the final analysis, the study utilized the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their sexual problems. The questionnaire comprises 19 items that are grouped into three subscales. Each item is evaluated using a five-point scale, ranging that ranges from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The more high the score, the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was developed in order to compare sexual behaviors between people with ADHD and those who do not.
These findings are important due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of adults with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, like STI's, unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD experience difficulties in their romantic relationships. A lack of communication, and miscommunication due to symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness can cause anger, resentment, and even conflict within the relationship. A supportive network of friends and family members who understand can be helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is important to remember, too, that people who suffer from ADHD have trouble listening. They are often interrupted by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which could cause them to miss the point of the conversation. adhd in adult women test with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which can lead them to mute conversations or perform other tasks while other people are talking.
These conflicts can result in an unending cycle where the partner who is not ADHD is overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. The issue could escalate from there as they become more isolated.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their lives. They may be feeling low self-esteem or shame due to their impulsive and unorganized behavior. They may feel like they cannot keep up with their obligations and bills. They might also be suffering from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection, as well as low sex drive.
It is important that those with ADHD seek treatment and seek help. It is also crucial for those close to them, especially spouses, to understand the condition and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they will create an action plan to achieve their goals. For example the non-ADHD spouse could assume more financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD may be more focused on completing chores and organizing the house.
Both partners should also strive to improve their communication and create an established routine that includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times and time for relaxation and rest. It is essential to find ways to simplify things for both partners, such sharing household chores or outsource certain tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD.