High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to discontent and confusion in their relationships. The symptoms can be more severe in times of hormonal changes such as the premenstrual and menstrual cycles.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies to hide their impairments and symptoms can delay the time for referral.
This patient group has distinct issues that need to be taken into account when treating them.
1. Self-esteem issues
The emotional and social issues associated with ADHD can make women feel low. Even when they're doing well it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they aren't able to control. This can result in an endless cycle of feeling like they feel constantly overwhelmed and never satisfied which can take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who don't have treatment for ADHD are more at risk of developing chronic low self-esteem as well as anxiety, teen pregnancy depression, and addiction to drugs. 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 others to be afflicted by eating disorders and pass on their bad habits to their children.
It's important for girls to receive an assessment, as it will give them an understanding of their issues and allow them to manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women report feeling more confident after receiving a diagnosis. They can stop getting angry about things they cannot control. It can also help to reframe their struggles and refocus on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopause their hormone levels may change and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD because their symptoms may be incorrectly identified and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating impacts on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can affect daily routines, leaving her frustrated and exhausted. She may feel that she can't refuse people, which causes her to be overwhelmed and resentful towards those who are around her. She might have difficulty to manage her work and home life, resulting in missed appointments and lost documents. She could be more prone to being triggered when she is rejected, making her more likely to snap at those she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that makes you feel extremely when you are rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a co-worker at work can trigger you. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated, and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result can hurt your self-esteem and relationships. The sensitivity to rejection can also cause anxiety, depression and mood shifts.
Although it's often linked to ADHD The issue of rejection sensitivity is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation that affects how your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be seen in other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, which makes them appear brighter or darker than they actually are. This makes them more likely to perceive and interpret things as rejection-related, even when they are not. RSD can also cause you to have a hard managing your emotions and that's why it's important to develop healthy strategies for coping to handle this.
You can find out more about the sensitivity to rejection by reading the articles below:
Although there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can utilize coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you change your negative thought patterns. You can also engage in mindfulness and build a community of support to decrease your chance of experiencing negative reactions to rejection. This will aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more fulfilling and happy life. It is also crucial to avoid toxic relationships as they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek out counseling to find out how you can leave. This will reduce the risk of feeling depressed and anxious such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on healthy relationships and relationships, you can boost your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and give you an unbiased view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. add in adult women leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviours. Women who have high functioning adhd may be at greater risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can also trigger feelings of guilt and embarrassment and can affect their relationships and wellbeing.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to exhibit a sexual interest. This was true for both males and females. This is likely due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can cause them to be more likely to act on sexual thoughts and desires. The study found that females who suffer from adhd are more likely to engage in sexual fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles, bondage and sex with strangers. It was also more common for them to go to party and sex clubs.
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 lack of impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This could also be a result of their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey asked participants to describe their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 outlines the results for this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19), which asked participants to discuss their sexual issues. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is evaluated using a five-point scale, ranging that ranges from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behaviours of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These findings are significant because the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction, adult onset infidelity, and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have issues in their romantic relationships. A lack of communication, and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can result in anger, resentment and a conflict within the relationship. A supportive network of family and friends members who are able to understand each other can be helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to keep in mind that those with ADHD often have difficulty listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors which could result in them missing out on the primary reason for a discussion. People with ADHD might also have difficulty multitasking, which could cause them to shut out conversations or perform other tasks while someone else is talking.
These struggles can lead to an unending cycle where the partner who is not ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. The issue can get worse from there as they become more distant.
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, chaotic behavior. Or they might feel like they cannot manage their obligations and bills. They can also suffer from mood swings and rejection sensitivity, as well as low sex drive.
This is why it is vital for those who suffer from ADHD to develop a treatment plan and seek out help. It is crucial that those closest to them, especially spouses, learn more about ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to establish the right expectations and boundaries and then devise a plan of how they will achieve their goals. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and completing housework.
In addition, both parties must work together to communicate more efficiently and clearly and establish a routine that incorporates regular sleep schedules, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It is important to discover ways to make things easier for both of you, like sharing household chores or outsource certain tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD.