High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. The symptoms may increase during periods of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many women and girls are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, hiding their impairments and symptoms, which can delay time until referral.
This group of patients has particular problems that need to be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The emotional and social challenges that come with ADHD can cause women to feel low. Even when they're successful, it is easy to feel like failing because of the things they can't change. This can lead to a vicious cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never satisfied and can affect their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls with ADHD who aren't treated are at a higher risk of having low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at an increased risk of single-parenting children with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely to struggle with eating disorders, and their negative patterns can pass down to their children.
It is essential that girls get a diagnosis as it will allow them to better comprehend their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling more confident after receiving the diagnosis. They are no longer berating themselves over things they can't manage. It can also help them reframe their problems and refocus them on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and approach menopausal age, their hormone levels could change and ADHD symptoms could worsen. This makes it more difficult for them to be identified and treated because they're often misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorder and their symptoms are viewed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms can interfere with everyday routines, leaving them feeling exhausted and angry. It is possible that she cannot say no to anyone which causes her to burden herself and feel resentful towards the people closest to her. It could be difficult to organize the work and home lives of her children which can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She could be more prone to being angered when she is not liked, making her more likely to snap at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel intensely when you're rejected, either real or perceived. It could be caused by a disagreement with your partner or a negative review from a colleague at work. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated and result in thoughts, feelings and beliefs that could harm your self-esteem and relationships. Rejection sensitivity can also result in anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations.
While it's often associated with ADHD The issue of rejection sensitivity is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain manages emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health issues such as borderline personality disorder could also show these symptoms.
RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, which makes them appear brighter or darker than they actually are. This can cause people to interpret things as rejection related, even if they aren't. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult managing your emotions which is why it is important to develop healthy strategies for coping to deal with this.
Learn more about the issue of rejection sensitivity by reading the following articles:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can use coping techniques like cognitive behavior therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and build a community of support to lessen your risk of negative reactions to rejection. adhd in women signs can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and help you lead a more pleasant and satisfying life. Avoid toxic relationships as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, get counsel to find out the best way to leave. This can help you reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, such as anxiety and depression. By focusing on relationships that are healthy that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and give a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviours. Women with adhd that is high functioning might be more at risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can lead to feelings of guilt and shame and can have a negative effect on their relationships as well as their overall health.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to have adventurous sexual curiosity. This was the case for males and females. This could be due to their more impulsive levels, which can make them more likely to act on their sexual desires and ideas. The study found that females who suffer from adhd are more likely to engage in paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included submissive role-play bondage, sexual relations with strangers. They also attended sex parties and clubs more often.
Both females and males suffering from adhd had a higher rate of infidelity than those who did not have the disorder. This was due to poor impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This could also be because of their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by their partners. The survey also asked participants to share their experiences with sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without the use of contraception. Table 6 presents the results from this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19), which asked participants to discuss their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire comprises 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using five-point scale, starting between 1 (never to 5) (very often)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used in order to compare sexual behaviors between adults with ADHD and those without.
These findings are significant because the psychosexual experiences of adults with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been linked to 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 struggle with their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clear communication and miscommunication caused by symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness may lead to frustration, anger and conflict in a relationship. A strong network of family and friends members who can understand is beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind that people with ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors, which could result in them missing out on the main point of a discussion. People with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty with multitasking, too and can cause them to tune out of conversations or engage in other things while someone else talks.
These battles can create a cycle where the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. They then tend to become more introverted, and the problem escalates from there.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their lives. They may be feeling shame or low self-esteem because of their impulsive, unorganized behavior. They may feel like they cannot keep up with their obligations and bills. They might also have mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and low sexual desire.
Because of this, it is vital for those with ADHD to find a treatment plan and seek assistance. It is important that the people closest to them, particularly spouses, understand ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can collaborate to set the right expectations and boundaries, then come up with a plan for how they will meet those objectives. For example, the non-ADHD partner might assume more financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD might focus on completing chores and organizing the house.
Both partners should also work to improve their communication and create a routine that includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to discover ways to make things easier for both of you, like sharing household chores or outsource certain tasks which are challenging for people with ADHD.