High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes, like the premenstrual or pregnancy cycles.
Many girls and women resort to compensatory strategies, concealing their impairments and symptoms which may delay the time until referral.
This group of patients faces specific problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even if they're successful, it's easy to feel like they're an failure due to things they can't change. This can lead to an endless feeling of being overwhelmed and unsatisfied. This can have a negative effect on their mental well-being.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at greater chance of developing chronic low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at greater risk of being the sole parent to a child with ADHD and financial difficulties, as well as underemployment. They're also more likely than other people to suffer from eating disorders and to pass on their bad habits to their children.
It's crucial for girls to get a diagnosis, because it will give them a better understanding of their issues and enable them to manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women report that they feel much more at ease after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop blaming themselves for the small things they cannot manage. It can also help to reframe their struggles and refocus on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopausal age, their hormone levels change, and ADHD symptoms can get worse. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treated since they are often misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorder and the symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating impacts on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect everyday routines, leaving them frustrated and exhausted. She may feel she can't refuse to be around people, leading her to overburden herself and become resentful of people close to her. It could be difficult to organize the work and home lives of her children and this can lead to missing appointments and lost files. She could be more prone to being angered when she is not liked, making her more likely to snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel intensely when you're rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or an insult from a coworker at work can trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts, feelings and beliefs that can affect your self-esteem and relationships. You may also experience anxiety, depression, and mood swings as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.
While it's often associated with ADHD Rejection sensitivity is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation that affects how your brain manages emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be seen in other mental health disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People suffering from RSD might see events through a filter that makes them appear darker or less than they really are. This can cause them to interpret things as being related to rejection, even if they aren't. RSD can cause you to be in a state of being unable to control your emotions. This is why it is crucial to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage RSD.
You can learn more about rejection sensitivity by reading the following articles:
While there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the assistance of a mental health professional. You can use strategies for coping, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which helps change your negative thought patterns. You can also engage in mindfulness and create a network of support to reduce your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD, so you can lead a more pleasant and satisfying life. Avoid adult adhd in women that are toxic, since they can worsen your symptoms. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek out counseling to learn how to get out. This will help lessen the risk of having rejection-related feelings, 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 about your abilities and give you an unbiased view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can cause sexual dysfunctions or risky behaviors. Women who have high functioning adhd might be more at risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can also cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment and can negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than those with ADHD to exhibit a sexual interest. This was the case for males and females. This could be due to the higher levels of impulsivity that can make them more likely be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. Specifically, the study found that females with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and actions. This included submissive role play, bondage and sexual contact 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 in a relationship than those who didn't have the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This is probably due to their higher levels of insecurity, and feeling misunderstood or criticized by their partners. The survey asked participants to describe their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 outlines the results from this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants about their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire comprises 19 items that are grouped into three subscales. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, from 1 (never to 5 (very frequently)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was utilized to assess sexual behavior between people with ADHD and those without.
These findings are significant because the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been linked with sexual dysfunctions such as unwanted pregnancy and STIs relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult onset infidelity, and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. Insufficient communication and misunderstandings triggered by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness may lead to frustration, anger and conflict within the relationship. A supportive network of friends and family members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to keep in mind that people suffering from ADHD often have difficulty listening. They can be interrupted easily by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which can cause them to lose the purpose of an exchange. People with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty with multitasking as well and can cause them to lose track of conversations or engage in other activities while someone else talks.
These struggles can result in an unbalanced relationship where the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with anger and stress, and the ADHD partner is misunderstood and defensive. They can then become more withdrawn, and the problem escalates from there.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their lives. They may feel shame and low self-esteem because of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel as if they're unable to keep up with their household chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings and rejection sensitivity as well as low sex drive.
It is important that those with ADHD seek treatment and seek assistance. It is also essential for their family members, especially spouses, to be aware of the condition and how it affects their loved ones. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can develop a plan to meet their goals. For instance the partner who is not ADHD could be more involved in the financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD may be more focused on the task of organizing and finishing housework.
In addition, both partners should work to communicate more effectively and clearly and establish a routine that incorporates regular sleep patterns, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It is also crucial to discover ways to make life easier for both of you for example, splitting household chores, or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD like hiring cleaning services or using apps to manage expenses.