High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. add in adult women can heighten at periods of hormonal changes, like the pre-menstrual period and pregnancy.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies, concealing their impairments and symptoms that can delay time to referral.
This patient group has distinct issues that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
Women can be depressed by the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even if they're successful, it's easy to feel like an failure due to things they can't change. This can result in a vicious cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never good enough and can be detrimental to their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls with ADHD who are not treated are at a greater risk for chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a higher chance of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. As adults, they're at greater risk of being single-parents of a child with ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or underemployment. They are also more likely than other people to suffer from eating disorders and to pass their bad habits on to their children.
It is essential that girls receive a diagnosis since it will help them better understand their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel much more empowered after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop blaming themselves for the little things they are unable to manage. It can also help reframe their issues and help them focus on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopause their hormone levels may 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 having anxiety or mood disorder and their symptoms are viewed 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. Symptoms can interfere with daily routines, making her exhausted and irritable. She might feel like she isn't able to refuse people, causing her to become overburdened and angry with people around her. She might find it difficult to organize her work and home life, leading 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. Learn Alot more Here causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. This can be real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or an unkind comment from a co-worker at work can trigger your symptoms. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms become overwhelmed and the thoughts and feelings that result can hurt your relationships and self-esteem. Sensitivity to rejection can lead to depression, anxiety and mood fluctuations.
Although it's often linked to ADHD Rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation that affects the way your brain handles emotions and the way you react to them. Other mental health conditions like borderline personality disorder may also be a cause for these symptoms.
RSD patients can see events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they are. This can cause them to interpret and perceive things as being related to rejection even if they aren't. RSD can make you unable to control your emotions. This is why it is crucial to develop healthy coping strategies to manage RSD.
You can learn more about rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD but it is possible to manage your symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can use coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you 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 can aid you in overcoming your RSD so that you can live a more fulfilled and happier life. It is also essential 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 lower the chance of experiencing feelings of rejection such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on relationships that are healthy, you can improve your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and provide you with 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 behavior. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at a greater risk of experiencing these sexual issues than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment and can negatively impact their relationships and wellbeing.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than those with ADHD to exhibit a sexual curiosity. Both genders were affected. This could be due to their higher levels of impulsivity, which makes them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and ideas. The study found that women who suffer from adhd are more likely to engage in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive roles, bondage and sexing with strangers. It was also common for them to go out to sexual clubs and parties.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely be infidelity than those who didn't have the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. This could be due to their greater levels of anxiety and being misunderstood, or misjudged by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants to describe their problematic sexual behavior. This questionnaire consists of 19 items that are grouped into three subscales. Each item is scored using five-point scale, starting between 1 (never to 5 (very often)). The higher the score the more symptomatology it has. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behavior of people with and without ADHD.
These results are important due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of people with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions like STI's, unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction infidelity that begins at the onset of adulthood and adolescence and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. A lack of clear communication, and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can lead to anger, resentment, and even conflict within the relationship. A supportive network of family and friends members who can understand is helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to remember that people with ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are often interrupted by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which can cause them to lose the purpose of the conversation. People with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which can cause them to tune out conversations or to do something else while another person is talking.
These conflicts can lead to an unbalanced relationship where the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner is misunderstood and defensive. The issue could escalate from there as they become more isolated.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by their everyday demands. They may be feeling shame or low self-esteem because of their impulsive, disorganized behavior. They may find themselves struggling to manage their bills and chores. They may also have mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sex desire.
For these reasons, it is crucial for people suffering from ADHD to find an effective treatment plan and seek help. It is also important for their family members particularly spouses to understand the condition and how it affects their loved ones. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can create an action plan to meet their goals. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing the housework.
In addition, both parties should work to communicate more efficiently and clearly and establish a regular routine that includes regular sleeping schedules, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to discover ways to make things easier for both partners, such dividing household tasks or outsourcing some of those that are difficult for someone with ADHD.