High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are unhappy and are often misunderstood in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe during times of hormonal changes, like premenstrual and menstrual cycles.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to hide their symptoms and impairments can delay referral.
This patient group has particular challenges that need to be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The emotional and social challenges associated with ADHD can make women feel low. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're failing because of the things they cannot change. This can result in an endless feeling of being overwhelmed and inadequate. This can have a negative impact on their mental well-being.
Girls with untreated ADHD are at higher risk of having low self-esteem for a long time, teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. As adults, they're at an increased risk of single-parenting a child with ADHD and financial problems, as well as underemployment. They are also more likely than others to suffer from eating disorders and to pass on their bad habits to their children.
It's important for girls to receive a diagnosis, because it will give them a better understanding of their struggles and help them manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women report that they feel much more at ease after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop beating themselves up over the little things they are unable to control. It can also help them reframe their issues and help them focus on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women mature and approach menopausal age, their hormone levels change and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. It is often difficult to identify and treat women with ADHD because their symptoms may be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt the woman's daily routine which can make her angry and exhausted. She might feel like she cannot turn down people, causing her to feel overwhelmed and angry with people around her. She might have difficulty organizing her work and home life, resulting in missed appointments and lost documents. adult adhd symptoms women may be more easily affected by rejection and is more likely to snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. This can be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a colleague at work can trigger you. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated and result in thoughts and feelings that could harm your self-esteem and relationships. You may also experience anxiety, depression, and mood changes due to sensitive to rejection.
While it's often associated with ADHD The issue of rejection sensitiveness is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation that affects how your brain manages emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder may be a sign of these symptoms too.
RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they are. This could cause people to interpret things as rejection related, even though they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult time regulating your emotions, which is why it's crucial to have healthy coping strategies to handle this.
Learn more about rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:
While there is no cure for RSD but it is possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can utilize strategies for coping, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which helps modify your negative thought patterns. You can also create an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to reduce the chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you overcome your RSD to live a more satisfying and happier life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, because they can cause more symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek counsel to find out the best method to leave. This can reduce your risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, such anxiety and depression. You can also boost your self-esteem by focusing on building healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and provide an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviours. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of having sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt which can have a negative impact on their relationships and overall well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those without the disorder. This was the case for males and females. This is probably due to the higher levels of impulsivity that can cause them to be more likely act on their sexual ideas and desires. Specifically, the study found that women with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviours. This included submissive roles, bondage and sex with strangers. They also went to sex parties and clubs more often.
Both women and men with adhd were more likely to be infidelity than those who didn't have the disorder. This was due to their lack of control of impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition. It could also be a result of their higher rates of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey asked participants to describe their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relations that were not contraceptive. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants to discuss their problematic sexual behaviors. This questionnaire is composed of 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on 5 points, ranging from 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used to evaluate the sexual behaviors of adults with and without ADHD.
These findings are important due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of people with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, like STI's, unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have trouble in their romantic relationships. A lack of communication, and miscommunication due to symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention can result in anger, resentment, and a conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a network of friends and family members who understand.
It is important to remember, too, 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 may also have issues multitasking, which can lead them to mute conversations or do something else while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle where the person who isn't ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD person feels untrusted. The problem can escalate from there, as they become more withdrawn.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They may experience guilt or self-esteem issues due to their impulsive, unorganized behavior. It is also possible that they feel that they are unable to keep up with their obligations and bills. They might also be suffering from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection, as well as low sex drive.
It is important that those with ADHD find a treatment and seek out help. It is essential that those who are closest to them, including spouses, learn more about ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. They can then create an action plan to meet their goals. For example, the non-ADHD partner might assume more financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD might focus on the task of organizing and finishing housework.
In addition, both parties should work to communicate more clearly and effectively, and establish a routine that includes regular sleep schedules, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It is also crucial to find ways to make things simpler for both parties for example, splitting household chores, or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD, such as hiring cleaning services or using apps to manage costs.