High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. The symptoms can become more severe during times of hormonal change such as the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Many girls and women use compensatory strategies to concealing their impairments and symptoms that can delay time until referral.
This patient group has particular problems that need to be considered when treating them.
1. Lack of self-esteem
The emotional and social issues that come with ADHD can cause women to feel low. Even when they're doing well and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure for things they aren't able to control. This can lead to an unending cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never quite good enough, which can take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls with ADHD who aren't treated are at greater chance of developing chronic low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at an greater risk of being the sole parent to a child with ADHD and financial difficulties, as well as underemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their bad patterns can pass down to their children.
It is essential that women receive a diagnosis since it will help them better understand their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling confident after receiving an diagnosis. They are no longer getting angry about things they aren't able to manage. It helps them to see their struggles as strengths and focus their attention on what matters most (Waite 2010,).
As women age and move towards menopausal age their hormone levels alter and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD because their symptoms may be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect women's daily routines that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. She might feel that she is unable to say no to anyone and end up overburdened herself and become angry with the people closest to her. She may find it difficult organizing her home and work life, which leads to missed appointments and lost documents. She may be more prone to being affected by rejection which makes her more likely to snap at those she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel extremely when you are rejected, whether real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or an unkind comment from a colleague at work can trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are triggered, resulting in thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can affect your self-esteem and relationships. You can also experience anxiety, depression, and mood fluctuations as a result of sensitive to rejection.
Although it's often attributed to ADHD The issue of rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation that affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health issues like borderline personality disorder can also be a cause for these symptoms.
RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, making them appear darker or brighter than they really are. This causes them to perceive and interpret things as rejection-related, even when they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a hard to control your emotions, which is why it's important to have healthy coping strategies to handle this.
Read the articles below to find out more about the sensitivity to rejection.
Although there is no cure for RSD it is possible to treat symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can utilize strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you modify your negative thought patterns. You can also build an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to reduce the chance of reacting negatively to rejection. adhd traits in women can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and help you lead a more pleasant and fulfilled life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how you can safely get out. This will help reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, such as anxiety and depression. You can also increase your self-esteem by focusing on building healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and give you a more realistic perspective on the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can result in sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. 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 also cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment which may affect their relationships and well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was the case for males and females. This is likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity, which could make them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and thoughts. The study found that women with adhd are more likely to engage sexual fantasies and actions. This included bondage, submissive roles, and sex with strangers. They also went to sex events and more clubs.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely be in a relationship than those who did not have the disorder. This was due to their lack of control of impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition. This was likely also due to their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with extra-partner sexual relationships and sexual encounters without the use of contraception. Table 6 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 consists of 19 items that are grouped into three subscales. Each item is evaluated on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was developed in order to assess sexual behavior between adults with ADHD and those without.
These results are important because the psychosexual experiences of people with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been linked with sexual dysfunctions such as unwanted pregnancy and STIs, relationship dissatisfaction and adult onset infidelity, and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. A lack of communication, and miscommunication due to symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention can cause anger, resentment and a conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a supportive network of friends and family members who understand.
It is crucial to keep in mind that people with ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior, which can result in them missing out on the main point of a discussion. People with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which can cause them to mute conversations or perform other tasks while another person is talking.
These conflicts can lead to an unbalanced relationship where the non-ADHD partner becomes overwrought with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. They may 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 experience feelings of shame and low self-esteem because of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel that they're unable to keep up with their bills and chores. They might also be suffering from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection and low sexual drive.
It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD seek treatment and seek assistance. It is also crucial for those close to them particularly spouses, to understand the disorder and how it affects their loved ones. They can work together to establish the right expectations and boundaries and then devise a plan of how they will meet those objectives. For example the non-ADHD spouse could assume more financial responsibility, while the person with ADHD may be more focused on completing chores and organizing the house.
Both partners should also be working to improve their communication and create a routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to discover ways to make things easier for both of you, like dividing household tasks or outsourcing some of those that are difficult for someone with ADHD.