High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe during periods of hormonal changes, such as the premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.
Many girls and women use compensatory strategies to hiding their impairments and symptoms that can delay time until referral.
This patient group has distinct problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The emotional and social issues that accompany ADHD can make women feel down. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like an failure due to things they can't change. This can lead to an endless cycle of feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. This can have a negative effect on their mental health.
Girls who don't have treatment for ADHD are at higher risk of developing chronic low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at an higher risk of having a single parent for a child with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They are also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass on their bad habits to their children.
It's crucial for girls to get a diagnosis, because it will give them an understanding of their struggles and allow them to manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women report that they feel more confident after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop beating themselves up over the little things they are unable to manage. It can also help reframe their problems and refocus them on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopause the hormone levels of their bodies change, and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD as their symptoms could be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms may interfere with the woman's daily routine which can make her angry and exhausted. She may feel that she can't refuse people, which causes her to become overburdened and angry with those who are around her. She may find it difficult to manage her work and home life, resulting in delayed appointments and lost documents. She may also be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to be defensive and even lash out at the people she is in love with.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. This could be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or a negative comment from a colleague at work could trigger you. Your brain's defense mechanisms naturally become overwhelmed and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result can hurt your relationships and self-esteem. Sensitivity to rejection can cause anxiety, depression and mood shifts.
While it's often associated with ADHD Rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation that affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health conditions like borderline personality disorder could also show these symptoms.
People suffering from RSD may see events through an eye that makes them appear darker or dimmer than they really are. This could cause them to interpret things as being related to rejection even if they aren't. RSD can cause you to be incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping strategies to deal with RSD.
Check out the following articles to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
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 employ strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps change your negative thinking patterns. You can also develop mindfulness and build a community of support to lessen your chance of experiencing negative reactions to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to live a happier and more fulfilling life. It is also essential to stay clear of toxic relationships since they can cause symptoms to become worse. If you are in a abusive relationship, seek out counseling to learn how to safely leave. This will reduce the risk of feeling depressed and anxious such as depression and anxiety. Home can also improve your self-esteem by building healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and give you an objective view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviors. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at greater risk of experiencing these sexual problems than non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment which may negatively impact their relationships and well-being.
One study looked at adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those without the disorder. Both genders were affected. This could be due to their more impulsive levels, which makes them more likely to act on sexual desires and ideas. The study found that females with adhd are more likely to engage sexual fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles, bondage and sex with strangers. They also attended sex parties and clubs more often.
Both males and females with adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than those without the disorder. This was due to their poor impulse control and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. This is probably due to their greater levels of anxiety, and feeling misunderstood or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with extra-partner sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without use of contraception. Table 6 outlines the results for this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants about their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Home is rated using a five-point scale, ranging that ranges from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was developed in order to assess sexual behavior between people with ADHD and those who do not.
These findings are important because the psychosexual outcomes of people with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, infidelity that begins at the onset of adulthood and adolescence and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. Lack of clear communication and miscommunication caused by signs such as forgetfulness and inattention can cause anger, frustration and conflict within the relationship. A supportive group of family and friends members who are able to understand each other can be helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind that those with ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors which could cause them to miss out on the primary point of a discussion. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle with multitasking, too and can cause them to become disengaged of conversations or engage in other activities while others talk.
These struggles can result in a cycle where the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood, and defensive. The issue can get worse from there, as they become more withdrawn.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their everyday demands. They may experience feelings of guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel that they're unable to keep up with their chores and bills. They can also suffer from mood swings and rejection sensitivity and low sex drive.
It is important that those who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek assistance. It is crucial that those closest to them, including spouses, understand ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can come up with an action plan to achieve their goals. For instance, the non-ADHD partner might be more involved in the financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD might be focused on the task of organizing and finishing housework.
Both partners should strive to improve communication and establish a routine that includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's also important to discover ways to make life simpler for both parties by splitting household chores, or outsourcing certain tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD for example, hiring an expert cleaning service or utilizing apps to manage costs.