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 during times of hormonal changes, such as the premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies in order to cover their symptoms and impairments can delay referral.
This group of patients has particular problems that need to be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
The emotional and social issues associated with ADHD can make women feel down. Even when they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're failing because of the things they can't change. This can create an unending cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never satisfied which can be detrimental to their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls with ADHD who aren't treated are at greater risk of having low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at greater risk of being parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and facing financial hardship or underemployment. They are also more likely than other people to suffer from eating disorders and to pass on their bad habits to their children.
It's essential that girls receive a diagnosis because it will help them comprehend the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel much more empowered after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop beating themselves up over the little things they can't manage. It can also help to reframe their issues and help them focus on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopausal age, their hormone levels could change, and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. This can make it harder for them to be identified and treated because they're 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 effects on self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect daily routines, making her feeling exhausted and angry. She may feel she can't refuse to be around people, leading her to overburden herself and become angry with the people closest to her. She may find it difficult to organize her home and work life and this can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She can also be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, which means she is more likely to be defensive and snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel a strong sense of when you're rejected, whether real or perceived. You might be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative review from a coworker at work. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are triggered, resulting in thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can harm your self-esteem and relationships. Sensitivity to rejection can result in anxiety, depression and mood swings.
While it's often associated with ADHD, rejection sensitivity is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be observed in other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, making them appear darker or brighter than they are. This causes them to perceive and interpret things as if they are related to rejection, even if they're not. RSD can make you incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping strategies to manage RSD.
Check out the following articles to learn more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can use strategies for coping, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which helps change your negative thinking patterns. You can also develop mindfulness and build a network of support to lessen your chance of experiencing negative reactions to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD, so you can live a happier and more fulfilled life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, because they can cause more symptoms. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how to safely leave. This will help lessen the risk of having feelings of rejection, such as anxiety and depression. You can also increase your self-esteem by focusing on building healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident in your capabilities and provide an objective view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behavior. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at greater risk of experiencing these sexual problems than non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also trigger feelings of guilt and embarrassment which may negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those who did not suffer from the disorder. Both genders were affected. This is probably due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can cause them to be more likely be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. In particular, the study showed that females with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles play, bondage and sexual relations with strangers. They also went to sex parties and more clubs.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely be in a relationship than those who didn't have the disorder. This was due to 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 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.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19), which asked participants to describe their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is evaluated on a five-point scale that ranges from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was developed in order to assess sexual behavior between people with ADHD and those who do not.
These findings are significant due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of people with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been linked with sexual dysfunctions like unwanted pregnancy and STIs, relationship dissatisfaction and adult-onset infidelity as well as dangerous sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have issues in their relationships with loved ones. A lack of clear communication, and miscommunication due to symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness can cause anger, resentment and even conflict within the relationship. A strong network of friends and family members who can understand is helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind that people who suffer from ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily interrupted by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which could cause them to lose the purpose of the conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in multitasking which could cause them to become disengaged of conversations or engage in other activities while someone else talks.
These struggles can result in a cycle where the non-ADHD partner becomes overwrought 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 are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their everyday demands. They may feel low self-esteem and shame because of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel like they can't keep up with their bills and chores. They might also be suffering from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection as well as low sex drive.
For adhd in adult women symptoms , it is crucial for people suffering from ADHD to establish an effective treatment plan and seek out help. It is important that those closest to them, including spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can develop a plan to achieve their goals. The non-ADHD partner could take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing chores at home.
Additionally, both partners should work to communicate more clearly and effectively, and establish a routine that incorporates regular sleep patterns, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It's important to find ways to make things easier for both spouses, such as sharing household chores or outsource some of those that are difficult for a person with ADHD.