High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to discontent and confusion in their relationships. The symptoms can become more severe during times of hormonal change, such as the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Many women and girls use compensatory strategies to concealing their impairments and symptoms which may delay the time until referral.
This group of patients faces particular issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Self-esteem issues
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when adhd women uk doing well and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure due to things they cannot control. 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 who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at a higher risk of having low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a higher chance of depression, anxiety, and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at an greater risk of being the sole parent to a child with ADHD and financial problems, as well as underemployment. They're also more likely to struggle with eating disorders, and their negative patterns could be passed on to their children.
It's crucial that girls receive a diagnosis because it will help them better comprehend the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving a diagnosis. They can stop being a victim of things they cannot control. It can also help them 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 could worsen. This can make it harder to diagnose and treated, as they're often misdiagnosed as an anxiety or mood disorder, and the symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on women's self-esteem and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can affect women's daily routines, leaving her irritable and exhausted. It is possible that she cannot refuse to be around people, leading her to overburden herself and become resentful of the people closest to her. She might have difficulty organizing her work and home life, which can lead to delayed appointments and lost documents. Additionally, she could be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, therefore she's more likely to react defensively and snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel extremely when you are rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or an insult from a coworker at work can trigger you. Your brain's defense mechanisms naturally become overwhelmed and the thoughts and feelings that result can harm your self-esteem and relationships. Rejection sensitivity can also result in anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations.
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. Other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder may be a sign of these symptoms too.
People suffering from RSD may view events through a filter that makes them appear more dark or dimmer than they really are. This makes them more likely to interpret things as being related to rejection, even though they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a hard time regulating your emotions and that's why it's crucial to have coping strategies that are healthy to deal with this.
Learn more about the issue of rejection sensitivity by reading the following articles:
While there is no cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of a mental health professional. You can utilize coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps modify your negative thought patterns. You can also develop mindfulness and build a community of support to lessen the chance of having negative reactions to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD, so you can live a more positive and fulfilled life. Avoid toxic relationships since they can worsen your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, get counsel to find out the best way to leave. This will reduce the risk of rejection related feelings such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on healthy relationships that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will make you feel more confident in your abilities and give a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Women who have high functioning adhd may be at greater risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can result in feelings of shame and guilt which can have a negative impact on their relationships and overall well-being.
One study surveyed adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those who did not suffer from the disorder. Both genders were affected. This was likely due to their more impulsive levels, which can make them more likely to act on sexual desires and ideas. Specifically, the study found that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and actions. This included bondage, submissive roles and sexing with strangers. They also attended sex parties and nightclubs more often.
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 inability to control their impulses and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. It could also be due to their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by their partners. The survey also asked participants to report their experiences with extra-partner sexual relations and sexual interactions without use of contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
In the final analysis, the study utilized the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their problematic sexual behavior. This questionnaire is composed of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a five-point scale from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was utilized to assess sexual behavior between people with ADHD and those who do not.
These results are important due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of people with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD experience difficulties in their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention could lead to frustration, anger, and conflict within relationships. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a network of family and friends who understand.
It is also important to remember that those with ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They can be interrupted easily by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which can cause them to lose the purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD might also have difficulty multitasking, which could cause them to shut out conversations or do something else while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can result in an unending cycle where the person who isn't ADHD is overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. They then tend to become more withdrawn, and the problem escalates from there.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They may be feeling guilt or self-esteem issues because of their impulsive, chaotic behavior. Or they might feel that they are unable to manage their chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and a lack of sexual desire.
It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD seek treatment and seek assistance. It is important that those who are closest to them, especially spouses, learn more about ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they will create an action plan to meet their goals. For instance the partner who is not ADHD could assume more financial responsibility, while the person with ADHD might be focused on completing chores and organizing the house.
In addition, both partners should work to communicate more efficiently and clearly and establish a routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times and time to relax and rest. It is also essential to find ways to make things easier for both of you, such as splitting household chores, or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD, such as hiring cleaning services or using apps to control costs.