High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to discontent and confusion in their relationships. Symptoms can heighten at periods of hormonal changes, like the pre-menstrual period and pregnancy.
Many girls and women use compensatory strategies to masking their symptoms and impairments that can delay time to referral.
This group of patients faces a unique set of issues which must be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The emotional and social issues that come with ADHD can make women feel down. Even when they're doing well it's easy to feel like a failure for things they cannot control. This can result in an endless cycle of feeling overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative effect on their mental well-being.
Girls with ADHD who are not treated are at a greater risk for chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. adhd women test have a higher chance of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. As adults, they are at a higher risk of becoming single-parents to a child with ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or underemployment. They are also more likely than others to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass their bad habits on to their children.
It's essential that girls receive a diagnosis since it will help them better understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel more confident after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to not be a victim of the little things they are unable to control. It can also help them see their difficulties as strengths and help them focus their focus on what is important most (Waite 2010).
As women age and approach menopausal, their hormone levels can change and ADHD symptoms may 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 the symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Being diagnosed with untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with family and friends. The symptoms can affect everyday routines, leaving them exhausted and irritable. She may feel that she cannot turn down people, causing her to become overburdened and resentful towards people who are around her. It can be difficult organizing her home and work life, which leads to missing appointments and documents getting lost. She may be more prone to being affected by rejection, making her more likely to lash out at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel very hurt when rejected. This can be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or an insult from a coworker at work could trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are triggered which can trigger thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can affect your relationships and self esteem. You may also experience depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations as a result of rejection sensitivity.
Rejection sensitivity, although typically associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain processes emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health conditions like borderline personality disorder (BPD).
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 rejection-related, even when they are not. RSD can make you unable to control your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping strategies to manage RSD.
Read the articles below to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there is no cure for RSD it is possible to treat symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can use strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you modify your negative thought patterns. You can also establish an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to lessen your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you overcome your RSD to live a more satisfying and happier life. It is also crucial to avoid relationships that are toxic as they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek out counseling to discover how to get out. This can lessen the risk of having feelings of rejection, like anxiety and depression. By focusing on healthy relationships and relationships, you can boost your self-esteem. This will make you feel more confident about your abilities and give an objective view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship challenging. This can result in sexual dysfunctions or risky sexual behaviors. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at higher risk of having sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt which may negatively impact their relationships and wellbeing.
In one study, those with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to exhibit a sexual interest. Both males and women were affected. This could be due to their higher levels of impulsivity, which can make them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and thoughts. Specifically, the study found that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles, bondage and sexing with strangers. They also attended sex parties and nightclubs more often.
Both males and females with adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than people without the disorder. This was due their poor control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This could be due to their greater levels of anxiety and a feeling of being misunderstood or misjudged by their partners. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with extra-partner sexual relationships and sexual encounters without contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
In the final analysis, the study utilized the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire from participants about their sexual problems. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using five-point scale, starting between 1 (never to 5 (very frequently)). The higher the score, the more symptoms are present. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behavior of adults with and without ADHD.
These results are important, since the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD were not studied as often. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have trouble in their relationships with loved ones. A lack of communication, and misunderstandings due to symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness can lead to anger, resentment and conflict within the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be helped by a supportive network of family and friends who can understand.
It is also important to remember that those with ADHD are often unable to listen. They can be interrupted easily by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which may cause them to miss the point of an exchange. People with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in multitasking, which can cause them to become disengaged of conversations or perform other things while others talk.
These battles can create an unending cycle where the partner who is not ADHD is overwhelmed by stress and resentment and the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. They may then withdraw and the issue can escalate from there.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by their everyday demands. They may feel shame or low self-esteem because of their impulsive, unorganized behavior. They may find themselves struggling to keep up with their obligations and bills. They can also suffer from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection, as well as low sexual drive.
It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek out help. It is also essential for family members, especially spouses, to understand the disorder and how it affects their loved ones. They can collaborate to establish clear boundaries and expectations and then formulate an action plan to will meet those goals. For instance, the non-ADHD partner might be more involved in the financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD might be focused on completing chores and organizing the house.
Additionally, both partners should work to communicate more efficiently and clearly and establish a regular routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It is essential to find ways to make things easier for both spouses, such as sharing household chores or outsource some of those that are difficult for someone with ADHD.