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 pregnancy periods.
Many women and girls are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, masking their symptoms and impairments, which can delay time until referral.
This group of patients has a unique set of issues that need to be taken into account when treating them.
1. Lack of Self-Esteem
The emotional and social issues that accompany ADHD can leave women feeling down. Even when they're doing well 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 result in a vicious cycle where they feel constantly overwhelmed and never good enough, which can take a toll on their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls with untreated ADHD are more at risk of developing chronic low self-esteem, anxiety, teen pregnancy depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're more likely to be single-parents to a child with ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or unemployment. They're also more likely than others to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass on their bad habits to their children.
It is crucial for girls to receive an assessment, as it will give them an understanding of their issues and allow them to manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women report feeling confident after receiving an diagnosis. They are no longer being a victim of things they cannot control. It helps them to see their challenges as strengths and refocus their attention on the things that matter most (Waite, 2010).
As women age and approach menopause their hormone levels may change and ADHD symptoms may worsen. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat women with ADHD as their symptoms could be incorrectly identified and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have a devastating impact on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms may interfere with a woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. She may feel she can't say no to people which causes her to burden herself and become resentful of people close to her. It could be difficult to organize her work and home life, leading to missed appointments and lost files. She may also be more easily triggered by rejection, which means she is more likely to be defensive and even lash out at the people she likes.
2. navigate here causes you to feel intensely when you are rejected, whether real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or a negative comment from a coworker at work can trigger your symptoms. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts, feelings and beliefs that can harm your self-esteem and relationships. Sensitivity to rejection can lead to depression, anxiety and mood shifts.
Rejection sensitivity, although often linked to ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be seen in other mental health disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients can see events through a filter, which makes them appear darker or brighter than they actually are. This can lead people to interpret things as being related to rejection, even though they're not. RSD can make you in a state of being unable to control your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage RSD.
Learn more about rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavior therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also create an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to reduce the chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD and help you live a more positive and fulfilling life. It is also essential to avoid relationships that are toxic as they can cause symptoms to become worse. If you are in a abusive relationship, seek out counseling to learn how you can safely leave. This will help reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, such as anxiety and depression. You can also increase your self-esteem by focusing on creating healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities, and will give you a more realistic perspective on the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This can cause sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviors. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of having sexual issues than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt and can negatively impact their relationships and well-being.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to have adventurous sexual curiosity. This was the case for both males and females. This is likely due to the higher levels of impulsivity that can make them more likely be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. The study revealed that females who have adhd are more likely to indulge in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive roles play and bondage as well as sexual contact with strangers. It was also common for them to go to sex clubs and parties.
Both men and women with adhd were more likely to be infidelity than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This is due to their weak control of impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition. This could be due to their greater levels of anxiety and a feeling of being misunderstood or criticized by their partners. The survey asked respondents about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 provides the results of this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to ask participants about their sexual problems. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using a 5-point scale, from 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score the more symptomatology it has. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behaviours of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These findings are significant, since the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions like STI's, unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have issues with their relationships with loved ones. A lack of clear communication, and miscommunication caused by symptoms such as forgetfulness and inattention can cause anger, resentment and a conflict in the relationship. A supportive network of friends and family members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to keep in mind that those with ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are easily interrupted by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which may cause them to miss the point of a conversation. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which could cause them to tune out conversations or to do something else while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can lead to a vicious cycle in which the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with anger and stress, and the ADHD partner is misunderstood and defensive. The issue could escalate in the meantime as they become more distant.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their lives. They may feel guilt or self-esteem issues due to their impulsive and chaotic behavior. They may feel like they cannot keep up with their obligations and bills. They might also be suffering from mood swings and rejection sensitivity as well as low sex drive.
For these reasons, it is essential for those with ADHD to develop an effective treatment plan and seek assistance. It is essential that the people closest to them, including spouses, learn more about ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can collaborate to establish the right expectations and boundaries and then formulate a plan for how they will meet those objectives. For instance the partner who is not ADHD could assume more financial responsibility, while the person with ADHD might be focused on organizing and completing housework.
Both partners should work to improve their communication and establish a routine that includes regular schedules for sleeping, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It is also crucial to find ways to make things easier for both of you by sharing household chores or outsourcing some tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD for example, hiring an expert cleaning service or using apps to manage costs.