High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are unhappy and are often misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms can be more severe in times of hormonal changes, such as the premenstrual and pregnancy periods.
Many women and girls are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, concealing their impairments and symptoms, which can delay time to referral.
This patient group faces a unique set challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
Women can be depressed by the social and emotional challenges of ADHD. Even when they're successful, it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they aren't able to change. This can lead to an unending cycle where they feel constantly overwhelmed and never quite good enough which can take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health.
add adult women who don't have treatment for ADHD are at greater risk of developing chronic low self-esteem, anxiety, teen pregnancy, depression and substance abuse. As adults, they're at an increased risk of single-parenting a child with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their unhealthy patterns can pass down to their children.
It is essential that women receive a diagnosis since it will allow them to better understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel much more empowered after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop blaming themselves for the little things they are unable to manage. It helps them to see their challenges as strengths and refocus their focus on what is important most (Waite, 2010).
As women age and approach menopause their hormone levels may change and ADHD symptoms could worsen. This makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated because they're often misdiagnosed as an anxiety or mood disorder and their symptoms are viewed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have a devastating impact on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt women's daily routines, leaving her irritable and exhausted. It is possible that she cannot refuse to be around people and end up overburdened herself and feel resentful towards those close to her. She might have difficulty organizing her home and work life, resulting in delayed appointments and lost documents. Additionally, she could be more easily triggered by rejection so she may be more likely to be defensive and snap at those she is in love with.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel intensely when you're being rejected, whether real or perceived. You could be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a colleague at work. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can harm your self-esteem and relationships. Rejection sensitivity can also cause anxiety, depression and mood shifts.
Rejection sensitivity, while typically associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
adhd in adult women can see events through a filter, which makes them appear brighter or darker than they actually are. This can lead them to interpret and perceive things as being related to rejection, even if they aren't. 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.
You can learn more about the issue of rejection sensitivity by reading the following articles:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the help of a mental healthcare professional. You can utilize coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you change your negative thought patterns. You can also create a support network and practice mindfulness to lessen the chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to lead a more pleasant and fulfilling life. Avoid toxic relationships, as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek out counseling to discover how to get out. This will reduce the risk of feeling depressed and anxious like depression and anxiety. By focusing on relationships that are healthy, you can improve your self-esteem. This will make you feel more confident in your abilities and give an honest 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 behaviors. Women with adhd that is high functioning might be more at risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can also cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment, which can affect their relationships and wellbeing.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to be sexually adventurous. interest. This was true for both males and females. This is probably due to the higher levels of impulsivity that could make them more likely to act on their sexual ideas and desires. The study found that females who have adhd are more likely to engage paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included submissive role play, bondage and sexual relations with strangers. It was also more common for them to attend sex clubs and parties.
Both females and males suffering from adhd had a greater rate of infidelity than those who did not have the disorder. This was due to lack of impulse control and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. This was likely also because of their higher rates of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 presents the results of this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants about their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire is comprised of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is evaluated on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, more symptoms are present. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behavior of adults with and without ADHD.
These findings are significant due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of adults with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their romantic relationships. Insufficient communication and miscommunication caused by symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness may result in anger, frustration and conflict in a relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a supportive network of friends and family members who understand.
It is also important to keep in mind that people with ADHD often have difficulty listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior which could result in them missing out on the central point of a discussion. add adult women with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which can cause them to tune out conversations or to do something else while someone else is talking.
These battles can create a vicious cycle in which the partner who is not ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD person feels untrusted. They then tend to become more withdrawn and the issue can escalate from there.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They may experience guilt or self-esteem issues due to their impulsive, disorganized behavior. Or they might find themselves struggling to manage their chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and a lack of sexual desire.
It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek help. It is also crucial for their family members particularly spouses to be aware of the condition and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. They can then create an action plan to achieve their goals. The non-ADHD partner can take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and completing housework.
Additionally, both partners must work together to communicate more efficiently and clearly and establish a routine that incorporates regular sleep patterns, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It is also essential to discover ways to make life easier for both of you, such as dividing household chores, or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD, such as hiring a cleaning service or using apps to control expenses.