High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe during times of hormonal changes like the premenstrual or pregnancy cycles.
Many girls and women are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, concealing their impairments and symptoms that can delay time until referral.
This group of patients faces particular challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even when they're doing well, it's easy to feel like a failure for things they aren't able to control. This can result in a vicious cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never satisfied, which can take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls with untreated ADHD are at higher risk of having low self-esteem for a long time, teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. As adults, they are at greater risk of being parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or underemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their bad habits can be passed on to their children.
It's crucial that women receive a diagnosis since it will help them understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling confident after receiving an diagnosis. They can stop berating themselves over things they aren't able to manage. It can also help to reframe their struggles and refocus on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopause their hormone levels may change and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treated because they're often misdiagnosed as an anxiety or mood disorder, and the symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Being diagnosed with untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on women's self-esteem and her relationships with family and friends. The symptoms can affect everyday routines, leaving them feeling exhausted and angry. She might feel like she can't refuse people, leading her to become overburdened and resentful towards people around her. It can be difficult to manage her work and home life, which can lead to missing appointments and documents getting lost. She could be more easily triggered when she is rejected, making her more likely to lash out at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel intensely when you are rejected, whether real or perceived. You could be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative comment from a coworker at work. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can affect your relationships and self esteem. You can also experience depression, anxiety and mood swings as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, which is typically associated with ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health conditions like borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People suffering from RSD might see events through an eye that makes them appear darker or less than they really are. This can lead them to interpret and perceive things as being related to rejection 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 essential to develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with RSD.
Read the articles below to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the help of a mental healthcare professional. You can employ strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you change your negative thought patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and create a network of support to reduce your chance of experiencing negative reactions to rejection. This can aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more satisfying and happy life. It is also essential to avoid relationships that are toxic as they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you're in a abusive relationship, get counseling to learn the best method to leave. This will help lessen the risk of having rejection-related feelings, such as depression and anxiety. You can also increase your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and give an objective view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship challenging. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviors. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at greater risk of experiencing these sexual issues than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can cause feelings of shame and guilt which may affect their relationships and wellbeing.
In one study, those with ADHD were found to be more likely than those with ADHD to be sexually adventurous. interest. This was true for both males and females. This is probably due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can cause them to be more likely be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. Specifically, the study found that women with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviours. This included submissive roles play, bondage and sex 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 without the disorder. This was due their poor impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. It could also be a result of their higher rates of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey also asked participants to report their experiences with extra-partner sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without the use of contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19), which asked participants about their problematic sexual behaviors. The questionnaire comprises 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on 5 points, ranging between 1 (never to 5 (very often)). The higher the score, more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was developed in order to assess sexual behavior between adults with ADHD and those without.
adhd in women checklist are significant, since the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD were rarely studied. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD experience difficulties in their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication and miscommunication caused by symptoms such as forgetfulness and inattention can cause anger, frustration, and conflict within a relationship. A supportive network of friends and family members who can understand is helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to keep in mind that people with ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They can be interrupted easily by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which can cause them to miss the point of an exchange. People with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in multitasking and can cause them to tune out of conversations or perform other things while someone else talks.
These battles can create an unending cycle where the person who isn't ADHD is overwhelmed by anxiety and anger, and the ADHD person feels untrusted. The problem can escalate from there, as they become more withdrawn.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their lives. They may feel shame or low self-esteem due to their impulsive and disorganized behavior. They may feel that they are unable to keep up with their obligations and bills. They can also suffer from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection, as well as low sexual drive.
It is important that those who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek assistance. It is also important for their family members particularly spouses to be aware of the disorder and how it affects their loved ones. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. They can then create an action plan to achieve their goals. For example the non-ADHD spouse could take on more of the financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD may be more focused on completing chores and organizing the house.
Both partners should also work to improve their communication and establish an established routine that includes regular schedules for sleeping, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It is also crucial to find ways to make things easier for both of you for example, sharing household chores or outsourcing certain tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD for example, hiring cleaning services or utilizing apps to manage expenses.