High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during times of hormonal change, like the pre-menstrual period and pregnancy.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies in order to cover their symptoms and impairments could delay referral.
This patient group faces particular issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Self-esteem issues
Women can be depressed by the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when they're successful it's easy to feel like a failure due to things they can't control. This can result in an endless cycle of feeling like they are constantly overwhelmed and never satisfied and can affect their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who don't have treatment for ADHD are more at risk of developing chronic low self-esteem, anxiety, teen pregnancy depression and substance abuse. As adults, they are more likely to be single-parents to a child with ADHD and facing financial hardship or underemployment. They are also more likely than others to suffer from eating disorders and pass their bad habits onto their children.
It's important for girls to receive an accurate diagnosis because it will give them a better understanding of their issues and enable them to manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women report feeling more confident after receiving a diagnosis. They are no longer being a victim of things they can't control. It can also help to reframe their issues and help them focus on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women age and approach menopausal age, their hormone levels could change, and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. This can make it difficult for them to be identified and treated since they are often misdiagnosed as having anxiety or mood disorder, and their symptoms are viewed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
undiagnosed adhd in women can have devastating consequences on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can disrupt a woman's daily routine, leaving her irritable and exhausted. It is possible that she cannot say no to people which causes her to burden herself and feel resentful towards people close to her. It could be difficult to organize the work and home lives of her children which can lead to missing appointments and lost files. She can also be more easily triggered by rejection, which means she is more likely to be defensive and lash out at people she is in love with.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel a strong sense of when you're being rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or a negative comment from a coworker at work could trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts and feelings that can harm your relationships and self esteem. You may also experience anxiety, depression, and mood fluctuations as a result of rejection sensitivity.
Rejection sensitivity, while typically associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. women and adhd like borderline personality disorder could also show these symptoms.
RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, making them appear darker or brighter than they really are. This makes them more likely to perceive and interpret things as being related to rejection, even though they are not. RSD can make you unable to control your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping strategies to manage RSD.
You can learn more about rejection sensitivity by reading the following articles:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the assistance of a mental healthcare professional. You can utilize coping techniques like cognitive behavior therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and build a network of support to decrease your chance of experiencing negative reactions to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD, so you can live a more positive and satisfying life. It is also important to avoid toxic relationships as they can make your symptoms worse. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek counsel to find out how to get out. This can reduce your risk of experiencing feelings of rejection such as depression and anxiety. You can also boost your self-esteem by focusing on developing healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and give you an unbiased view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This can result in sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviors. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at higher risk of having sexual issues than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can result in feelings of shame and guilt and can have a negative impact on their relationships as well as their overall health.
One study surveyed adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those who did not suffer from the disorder. Both males and women were affected. This is probably due to the greater impulsivity levels that can cause them to be more likely to act on sexual thoughts and desires. In particular, the study showed that women with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and behaviors. This included bondage, submissive roles, and sex with strangers. It was also more common for them to go out to sexual clubs and parties.
Both women and men with adhd were more likely to be in a relationship than those who didn't have the disorder. This is due to their lack of impulse control 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 asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations that were not contraceptive. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire from participants about their sexual issues. This questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on five-point scale, starting from 1 (never to 5 (very frequently)). adhd in older women has. The HBI-19 was used in order to evaluate sexual behaviors between people who suffer from ADHD and those without.
These results are important because the psychosexual experiences of adults with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions like STIs and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction, adult-onset infidelity, as well as risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have trouble in their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication, and miscommunication due to issues like forgetfulness and inattention can result in anger, resentment, and a conflict within the relationship. A supportive group of family and friends members who can understand is beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to note that those with ADHD often have difficulty listening. They are easily interrupted by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which can cause them to lose the purpose of the conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle with multitasking as well which could cause them to become disengaged of conversations or engage in other activities while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can lead to a cycle where the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner is misunderstood and defensive. The issue can get worse in the meantime as they become more isolated.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They may feel guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel like they're not able to handle their chores and bills. They might also be suffering from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection and low sex drive.
Because of this, it is vital for those with ADHD to develop a treatment plan and seek out help. It is also important for those close to them particularly spouses, to learn more about the condition and how it affects the person they love. They can collaborate to set the right expectations and boundaries and then formulate an action plan to can achieve those objectives. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD would focus on organizing and finishing the chores at home.
In addition, both parties must work together to communicate more clearly and effectively and establish a regular routine that includes regular sleep schedules, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It is also essential to discover ways to make life easier for both parties for example, dividing household chores, or outsourcing certain tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD for example, hiring cleaning services or using apps to manage costs.