High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to discontent and confusion in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during periods of hormonal changes, like the pre-menstrual period and pregnancy.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies in order to cover their symptoms and impairments can delay referral.
This group of patients faces specific issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
The emotional and social challenges that accompany ADHD can leave women feeling low. Even when they are successful, it is easy to feel like failing because of the things they aren't able to change. This can result in an endless cycle of feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. This can have a negative effect on their mental well-being.
Girls with untreated ADHD are at higher risk of chronic low self-esteem as well as anxiety, teen pregnancy depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they are at greater risk of being single-parents to a child with ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or underemployment. They are also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass their bad habits onto their children.
It's essential that women receive a diagnosis because it will allow them to better understand their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling confident after receiving an diagnosis. They can now stop getting angry about things they can't manage. It can also help them see their difficulties as strengths and refocus their attention on what matters most (Waite 2010,).
As women age and approach menopausal, their hormone levels can change and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD because their symptoms may be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have a devastating impact on self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms can interfere with everyday routines, leaving them exhausted and irritable. She may feel that she isn't able to refuse people, which causes her to feel overwhelmed and resentful towards those who are around her. She might have difficulty organizing her home and work life, resulting in missed appointments and lost documents. She may be more prone to being angered when she is not liked which makes her more likely to snap at those she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel extremely hurt when you are rejected. This can be real or perceived. You could be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative review from a colleague at work. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms become over-stimulated and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result can hurt your self-esteem and relationships. You can also experience anxiety, depression and mood swings as a result of rejection sensitivity.
Although it's often linked to ADHD Rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain manages emotions and the way you react to them. Other mental health disorders like borderline personality disorder could be a sign of these symptoms too.
RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they really are. This can cause them to interpret things as if they are related to rejection, even if they are not. RSD can also cause you to have a hard to control your emotions which is why it's important to have coping strategies that are healthy to deal with this.
Read the articles below to find out more about the sensitivity to rejection.
While there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the help of a mental healthcare professional. You can utilize coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you modify your negative thought patterns. You can also establish an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to lower your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you overcome your RSD so that you can live a more fulfilled and happier life. It is also important to avoid relationships that are toxic as they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you are in a abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how to safely get out. This will help lessen the risk of having feelings of rejection, such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on relationships that are healthy, you can improve your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and provide a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can result in sexual dysfunctions or risky sexual behaviors. Women with adhd that is high functioning are at a higher risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can also lead to feelings of shame and guilt, which can have a negative impact on their relationships and overall well-being.
One study surveyed adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those without the disorder. This was the case for both males and females. This is likely due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can make them more likely to act on sexual thoughts and desires. The study revealed that females who suffer from adhd are more likely to engage in paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included submissive roles, bondage and sexing with strangers. They also went to sex parties and clubs more often.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely be infidelity than those who didn't have the disorder. This was due their poor control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This was likely also due to their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with sexual relationships and sexual encounters without the use of contraception. Table 6 outlines the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants about their problematic sexual behaviors. The questionnaire is comprised of 19 items that are grouped into three subscales. Each item is scored using five-point scale, starting from 1 (never to 5) (very often)). adhd in adult women symptoms , more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behaviours of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These results are important because the psychosexual results for adults with ADHD were not studied as often. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult-onset infidelity, as well as risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings due to issues like forgetfulness and inattention can cause anger, resentment and a conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a network of family and friends who understand.
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 behavior that can result in them missing out on the central reason for a discussion. People with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which can cause them to tune out conversations or to do something else while other people are talking.
These battles can create a vicious cycle in which the person who is not ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. They may then withdraw and the situation can get worse from there.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their daily demands. They may feel guilt or self-esteem issues due to their impulsive, chaotic behavior. Or they might feel that they are unable to manage their obligations and bills. They might also feel mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and low sexual desire.
Because of this, it is vital for those who suffer from ADHD to develop an effective treatment plan and seek assistance. It is essential that those who are closest to them, particularly spouses, understand ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can create an action plan to meet their goals. For add symptoms in adult women who is not ADHD could be more involved in the financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD might focus on organizing and completing housework.
Both partners should also work to improve communication and establish a routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time for relaxation 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 challenging for a person with ADHD like hiring cleaning services or using apps to manage expenses.