High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. The symptoms may increase during periods of hormonal changes, such as the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies in order to cover their symptoms and impairments can delay referral.
This group of patients faces distinct problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when they're successful, it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they can't control. This can result in an unending cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never quite good enough, which can affect their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls who aren't treated for ADHD are more at risk of having low self-esteem for a long time and teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're more likely to be parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and facing financial hardship or underemployment. They're also more likely to be struggling with eating disorders, and their unhealthy habits can be passed on to their children.
It's crucial that girls receive a diagnosis because it will allow them to better recognize their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel more empowered after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to not be a victim of the little things they can't control. It can also help them reframe their problems and refocus them on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopausal age their hormone levels alter, and ADHD symptoms can get worse. It is often difficult to identify and treat women with ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be incorrectly identified and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect daily routines, leaving her exhausted and irritable. It is possible that she cannot turn down people, leading her to be overwhelmed and resentful towards those who are around her. It can be difficult to manage her work and home life, which can lead to missed appointments and lost documents. She could be more prone to being triggered when she is rejected and is more likely to snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel extremely hurt when you are rejected. It could be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or an insult from a coworker at work could trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated and result in thoughts, feelings and beliefs that can affect your self-esteem and relationships. Sensitivity to rejection can result in anxiety, depression and mood swings.
Rejection sensitivity, although typically associated with ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. adhd test for women affects the way your brain processes emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health conditions like borderline personality disorder can be a sign of these symptoms too.
RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, which makes them appear darker or brighter than they are. This can cause them to interpret and interpret events as if they are related to rejection, even if they are not. RSD can cause you to be incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping strategies to manage RSD.
You can learn more about the issue of rejection sensitivity by reading the following articles:
While there is no cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can employ strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you modify your negative thought patterns. You can also create an emotional support network 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 happier and more fulfilled life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, since they can worsen your symptoms. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how to safely quit. This can lower the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, such as depression and anxiety. You can also boost your self-esteem by focusing on building healthy relationships. This will allow you to 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 it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at higher risk of developing these sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt, which can negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being.
One study surveyed adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was the case for both males and females. This is likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity, which could make them more likely to act on their sexual desires and thoughts. The study found that women who have adhd are more likely to engage in paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included submissive roles, bondage and sexing with strangers. It was also common for them to go to party and sex clubs.
Both males and females with adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than those who did not have the disorder. This was due their poor control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This is probably due to their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood, or criticized by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 provides the results for this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire from participants about their sexual problems. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is rated using a five-point scale, ranging between 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, the more symptomatology it has. The HBI-19 was utilized to evaluate sexual behaviors between adults with ADHD and those without.
These results are important because the psychosexual results for adults with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions like unwanted pregnancy and STIs relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult-onset infidelity, as well as risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have issues with their romantic relationships. A lack of clear communication, and miscommunication caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can lead to anger, resentment and a conflict within 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 important to remember that those who suffer from ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior, which can result in them missing out on the main point of a discussion. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which could cause them to tune out conversations or do something else while other people are talking.
These battles can create a vicious cycle in which the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress, and the ADHD partner is misunderstood and defensive. The problem can escalate from there, as they become more distant.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They might experience feelings of low self-esteem and shame because of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel as if they're unable to keep up with their bills and chores. They can also suffer from mood swings and rejection sensitivity as well as low sex drive.
It is essential that those with ADHD seek treatment and seek out help. It is also essential for family members particularly spouses, to be aware of the condition and how it affects the person they love. They can collaborate to set the right expectations and boundaries, then come up with an action plan to will meet those goals. The non-ADHD spouse could assume more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and completing the chores at home.
Both partners must strive to improve their communication and establish a routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It is essential to discover ways to make things easier for both partners, such splitting household chores or outsourcing some of those that are difficult for someone with ADHD.