High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. Symptoms can heighten at times of hormonal change like the pre-menstrual period and pregnancy.
Many girls and women are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, hiding their impairments and symptoms, which can delay time until referral.
This group of patients has a unique set of problems that need to be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The emotional and social challenges associated with ADHD can make women feel low. Even when they're successful and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure because of things they aren't able to control. This can create an unending cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never satisfied which can take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls with ADHD who aren't treated are at a higher risk for chronic low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of depression, anxiety and substance abuse. As adults, they are at a higher risk of becoming single-parents to a child with ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or unemployment. They are also more likely than others to be afflicted by eating disorders and pass their bad habits onto their children.
It's crucial that women receive a diagnosis since it will help them better comprehend their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling confident after receiving a diagnosis. They are no longer being a victim of things they aren't able to manage. It can also help to reframe their struggles and refocus on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopause their hormone levels may change, and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with family and friends. The symptoms can affect daily routines, leaving her frustrated and exhausted. It is possible that she can't refuse people, causing her to feel overwhelmed and resentful of those who are around her. It can be difficult organizing her home and work life, which leads to missed appointments and lost documents. She could be more prone to being triggered when she is rejected which makes her more likely to snap at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel intensely when you are rejected, whether it is real or perceived. You might be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a coworker at work. Your brain's defense mechanisms naturally become over-stimulated, and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result can hurt your relationships and self-esteem. There are also anxiety, depression, and mood swings as a result of sensitive to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, although 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. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People with RSD might see events through filters that make them appear more dark or dimmer than they actually are. This can lead them to interpret things as being related to rejection, even if they aren't. RSD can cause you to be incapable of controlling 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 isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the help of a mental healthcare professional. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you change your negative thought patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and create a network of support to decrease the chance of having negative reactions to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD, so you can live a happier and more fulfilled life. Avoid toxic relationships since they can worsen your symptoms. If you are in a abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how to safely get out. This can reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on healthy relationships and relationships, you can boost your self-esteem. This will allow you to feel more confident in your abilities and give you an objective view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This can cause sexual dysfunctions or risky sexual behavior. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at a greater risk of experiencing these sexual issues than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also trigger feelings of shame and guilt, which can negatively impact their relationships and well-being.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than people without ADHD to be sexually adventurous. curiosity. Both genders were affected. This could be due to their higher levels of impulsivity which makes them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and ideas. Specifically, the study found that women with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and behaviours. This included submissive roles play bondage, sexual contact with strangers. It was also more typical for them to go out to sexual clubs and parties.
Females and males with adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than those without the disorder. This was due to their lack of control of impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition. This is likely due to their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood, or criticized by their partners. The survey asked respondents about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 outlines the results from this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants about their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire is comprised of 19 items that are grouped into three subscales. Each item is scored using 5 points, ranging from 1 (never to 5 (very frequently)). The higher the score, more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was utilized to evaluate sexual behaviors between people with ADHD and those without.
These findings are important because the psychosexual outcomes of people with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction and adult onset infidelity, and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their relationships with loved ones. A lack of communication, and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can result in anger, resentment, and conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a network of family and friends who can understand.
It is also important to note that people suffering from ADHD often have difficulty listening. They can be interrupted easily by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which could cause them to lose the purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to be struggling with multitasking as well, which can cause them to become disengaged of conversations or do other things while others talk.
These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle where the person who isn't ADHD is overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. They then tend to become more withdrawn and the issue can escalate from there.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their daily demands. They may feel low self-esteem and shame because of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel that they're unable to keep up with their household chores and bills. They may also feel mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and low sexual desire.
It is important that those who suffer from ADHD seek treatment and seek help. adult female adhd symptoms is also important for those close to them particularly spouses, to be aware of the condition and how it affects the person they love. They can collaborate to set clear boundaries and expectations and then devise a plan of how they will achieve their objectives. For instance, the non-ADHD partner might be more involved in the financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD might be focused on organizing and completing housework.
Additionally, both partners must work together to communicate more effectively and clearly and establish a regular routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's also important 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, such as hiring an expert cleaning service or using apps to manage costs.