High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd experience frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. The symptoms can be more severe during periods of hormonal changes, such as the premenstrual and menstrual cycles.
Many women and girls use compensatory strategies to hiding their impairments and symptoms, which can delay time until referral.
This group of patients faces particular challenges which must be considered when treating them.
1. Lack of self-esteem
The emotional and social issues that come with ADHD can cause women to feel down. Even if they're successful, it's easy to feel like an failure due to things they aren't able to change. This can result in an endless feeling of being overwhelmed and unsatisfied. This can have a negative impact on their mental health.
Girls who aren't treated for ADHD are at greater risk of developing chronic low self-esteem as well as anxiety, teen pregnancy depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at greater risk of being single-parents to a child with ADHD and facing financial hardship or unemployment. They are also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and pass on their bad habits to their children.
It's crucial that girls get a diagnosis as it will help them better recognize the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel more confident after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop beating themselves up over the small things they cannot control. It can also help to reframe their struggles and refocus on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopausal, their hormone levels change, and ADHD symptoms can get worse. It is often difficult to identify 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".
Being diagnosed with untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on women's self-esteem and her relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect women's daily routines that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. It is possible that she cannot turn down people, which causes her to feel overwhelmed and angry with those around her. It could be difficult to manage the work and home lives of her children which can lead to missing appointments and lost files. Additionally, she could be more easily triggered by rejection which means she is more likely to react defensively and lash out at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel intensely when you're rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or an unkind comment from a co-worker at work can trigger your symptoms. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result can harm your relationships and self-esteem. The sensitivity to rejection can also lead to depression, anxiety and mood shifts.
Rejection sensitivity, which is often associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. Highly recommended Resource site how your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they really are. This can cause them to interpret and perceive things as rejection related, even though they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult time regulating your emotions which is why it's important to have healthy coping strategies to deal with this.
Read the articles below to find out more about the sensitivity to rejection.
While there is no cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can employ coping strategies such as cognitive behavioral therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and create a network of support to reduce your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This can help you overcome your RSD so that you can live a more satisfying and happy life. It is also important to avoid toxic relationships as they can make your symptoms worse. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counsel to find out the best way to leave. This can reduce your risk of rejection-related feelings, such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on relationships that are healthy, you can improve your self-esteem. signs and symptoms of adhd in women will help you feel more confident about your capabilities and provide a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Women who have high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt which may affect their relationships and wellbeing.
One study looked at adults with ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those without the disorder. This was true for both males and females. This is likely due to the higher levels of impulsivity that could make them more likely to to act on sexual thoughts and desires. In particular, the study showed that women with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and actions. This included bondage, submissive roles and sexing with strangers. It was also common for them to go out to sex clubs and parties.
Both women and men with adhd were more likely to be infidelity 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. This was likely also a result of their higher rates of anxiety and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without 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 consists of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on 5 points, ranging from 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was developed in order to compare sexual behaviors between adults with ADHD and those without.
These results are important, since the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD were rarely studied. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions like STI's, unwanted pregnancies, relationship problems, infidelity that begins at the onset of adulthood and adolescence and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have issues in their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication, and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as forgetfulness and inattention can cause anger, resentment and a conflict within the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a network of family and friends who understand.
It is important to remember, too, that people with ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are often interrupted by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which may cause them to lose the purpose of an exchange. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle with multitasking as well, which can cause them to become disengaged of conversations or engage in other things while someone else talks.
These struggles can result in a cycle where the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner is misunderstood and defensive. They can then become more introverted and the situation can get worse from there.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They may feel guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel like they're unable to keep up with their chores and bills. They might also be suffering from mood swings and rejection sensitivity as well as low sexual drive.
It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek assistance. It is crucial that those who are closest to them, including spouses, understand ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can come up with an action plan to achieve their goals. The non-ADHD partner could take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and finishing the chores at home.
Both partners should also strive to improve their communication and create an established routine that includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times, and time to relax and rest. It's also important to find ways to make things easier for both parties for example, dividing household chores, or outsourcing some tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD like hiring a cleaning service or using apps to control costs.