High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe during periods of hormonal changes, like premenstrual and pregnancy periods.
Many girls and women resort to compensatory strategies, hiding their impairments and symptoms which may delay the time to referral.
This group of patients has a unique set problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when adhd symptoms women and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure due to things they can't control. This can create an unending cycle of feeling overwhelmed and unsatisfied. This can have a negative effect on their mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at a greater risk for chronic low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of depression, anxiety and abuse of substances. As adults, they're more likely to be single-parents of a child with ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or underemployment. They are also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass their bad habits on to their children.
It is essential that girls receive a diagnosis since it will allow them to better recognize their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel more confident after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop blaming themselves for the little things they can't control. It can also help reframe their issues and help them focus on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women mature and approach menopause, their hormone levels change and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. This can make it harder for them to be identified 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 a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt daily routines, making her frustrated and exhausted. She may feel she can't say no to anyone, leading her to overburden herself and feel resentful towards people close to her. She might find it difficult to organize the work and home lives of her children, leading to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She may also be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, which means she is more likely to be defensive and snap at those she is in love with.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel extremely hurt when you are rejected. This can be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or an insult from a co-worker at work can trigger you. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms become overwhelmed and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result can hurt your self-esteem and relationships. Sensitivity to rejection can cause anxiety, depression and mood shifts.
Rejection sensitivity, which is often linked to ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder may be a sign of these symptoms too.
People with RSD may see events through an eye that makes them appear darker or less than they actually are. This could cause them to interpret and perceive things as rejection related, even if they aren't. signs of adhd in women can also cause you to have a harder to control your emotions, which is why it's crucial to have healthy coping strategies to manage this.
Check out the following articles to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can utilize coping techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also build 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, so you can live a more positive and fulfilling life. It is also important to avoid relationships that are toxic as they can make your symptoms worse. If you're in an abusive relationship, get counseling to learn the best way to leave. This can reduce your risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, such anxiety and depression. You can also improve your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will allow you to feel more confident in your abilities, and will give you an unbiased view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship challenging. This can result in sexual dysfunctions or risky behavior. Women with high functioning adhd might be more at risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can also lead to feelings of guilt and shame, which can have a negative impact on their relationships and overall well-being.
One study looked at adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those without the disorder. Both genders were affected. This could be due to the higher levels of impulsivity that could make them more likely to be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. In particular, the study showed that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and behaviours. This included submissive role play and bondage as well as sexual relations with strangers. It was also common for them to go out to party and sex clubs.
Both females and males suffering from adhd had a greater rate of infidelity than people without the disorder. This is due to their weak control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This could be due to their greater levels of anxiety and being misunderstood, or misjudged by their partners. The survey asked participants to describe their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations that were not contraceptive. inattentive adhd in women presents the results for this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire from participants about their sexual problems. This questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is evaluated on a 5-point scale ranging that ranges from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behaviours of adults with and without ADHD.
These results are important, since the psychosexual outcomes 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 dangerous sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have issues with their romantic relationships. A lack of communication and misunderstandings due to issues like forgetfulness and inattention can result in anger, resentment and even conflict within the relationship. A strong group of family and friends members who can understand is beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to keep in mind that people suffering from ADHD are often unable to listen. They can be interrupted easily by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which could cause them to miss the main point of a conversation. People with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which could cause them to mute conversations or perform other tasks while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can lead to a cycle where the non-ADHD partner becomes overwrought with anger and stress and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. They can then withdraw, and the problem escalates from there.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They may feel low self-esteem or shame due to their impulsive and disorganized behavior. Or they might feel like they cannot manage their bills and chores. They might also have mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sexual desire.
Because of this, it is essential for those suffering from ADHD to develop a treatment plan and seek help. It is crucial that those who are closest to them, especially spouses, learn more about ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they will develop a plan to meet their goals. The non-ADHD partner could take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD would focus on organizing and finishing the chores at home.
Additionally, both partners should work to communicate more effectively and clearly and establish a routine that includes regular sleeping schedules, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It is essential to discover ways to make things easier for both of you, like splitting household chores or outsourcing some of those that are difficult for a person with ADHD.