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 the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies in order to cover their symptoms and impairments can delay the time for referral.
This group of patients faces particular issues that need to be considered when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when they're doing well, it's easy to feel like a failure due to things they cannot control. This can result in an endless cycle of feeling overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative impact on their mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at a higher risk for chronic low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at an increased risk of single-parenting a child with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely to struggle with eating disorders, and their unhealthy patterns could be passed on to their children.
It is essential that girls receive a diagnosis since it will help them better comprehend the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel much more confident after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to not be a victim of the little things they are unable to control. It can also help them see their challenges as strengths and refocus their focus on what is important most (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopausal age the hormone levels of their bodies change and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD as their symptoms could be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have a devastating impact on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt daily routines, making her frustrated and exhausted. She may feel that she cannot turn down people, which causes her to be overwhelmed and angry with people who are around her. She might find it difficult to organize her work and home life which can lead to missing appointments and lost files. Additionally, she could be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, therefore she's more likely to be defensive and even lash out at the people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel a strong sense of when you are rejected, whether real or perceived. You might be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative review from a coworker at work. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts, feelings and beliefs that can harm your self-esteem and relationships. There are also anxiety, depression, and mood changes due to sensitive to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, while often linked to ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health conditions like borderline personality disorder can be a sign of these symptoms too.
People suffering from RSD may view events through a filter that makes them appear more dark or dimmer than they actually are. This can cause them to perceive and interpret things as if they are related to rejection, even if they are not. RSD can make you incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage RSD.
Read the articles below to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the assistance of a mental healthcare professional. You can employ coping strategies such as cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also engage in mindfulness and build a network of support to lessen your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This will aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more fulfilling and happy life. Avoid toxic relationships because they can cause more symptoms. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how you can safely get out. This will reduce the risk of feeling depressed and anxious such as depression and anxiety. You can also boost your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and provide an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviors. Women with high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can cause feelings of guilt and shame which can have a negative effect on the quality of their relationships and overall well-being.
In one study, those with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to be sexually adventurous. fascination. This was the case for both males and females. This is probably due to the higher levels of impulsivity that can cause them to be more likely to act on sexual thoughts and desires. Particularly, the study revealed that females with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviours. This included submissive role-play and bondage as well as sexual contact with strangers. They also went to sex events and more clubs.
Both men and women with adhd were more likely be in a relationship than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was due to their inability to control their impulses and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. attention deficit disorder in women was likely also a result of their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 shows 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 problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire comprises 19 items that are grouped into three subscales. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 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 people with ADHD and those without.
These findings are important because the psychosexual outcomes of people with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unwanted pregnancy, 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. A lack of clear communication, and misunderstandings due to issues like forgetfulness and inattention can cause anger, resentment and even conflict in the relationship. A strong network of friends and family members who understand can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to note that people suffering from ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior which can cause them to miss out on the main point of a discussion. People with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which can cause them to mute conversations or to do something else while other people are talking.
These struggles can lead to a vicious cycle where the partner who is not ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. The problem can escalate from there, as they become more withdrawn.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of daily life. They may be feeling low self-esteem or shame because of their impulsive, unorganized behavior. Or they might find themselves struggling to manage their bills and chores. They might also be suffering from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection as well as low sexual drive.
Because of this, it is vital for those suffering from ADHD to find an effective treatment plan and seek out help. It is also important for family members, especially spouses, to understand the condition and how it affects their loved ones. They can work together to establish clear expectations and boundaries and then devise an action plan to will achieve their objectives. For instance the partner who is not ADHD could assume more financial responsibility, while the person with ADHD may be more focused on organizing and completing housework.
Both partners should also work to improve their communication and establish a routine, which includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It is also essential to discover ways to make life easier for both parties, such as splitting household chores, or outsourcing certain tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD, such as hiring a cleaning service or utilizing apps to manage costs.