High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe during times of hormonal changes, like the premenstrual or menstrual cycles.
Many girls and women use compensatory strategies to masking their symptoms and impairments, which can delay time to referral.
This patient group faces particular issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The emotional and social challenges that accompany ADHD can leave women feeling down. Even when they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're failing because of the things they can't change. This can lead to an unending cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never quite good enough and can affect their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who aren't treated for ADHD are at higher risk of having low self-esteem for a long time, teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they are more likely to be parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or underemployment. They are also more likely than others to suffer from eating disorders and pass their bad habits on to their children.
It is essential that women receive a diagnosis because it will allow them to better comprehend their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling confident after receiving an diagnosis. They are no longer getting angry about things they aren't able to control. It can also help them see their challenges as strengths and refocus their attention on what matters most (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopause the hormone levels of their bodies change, and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. This can make it harder to diagnose and treated, as they're often misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorder and their symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms may interfere with women's daily routines that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. This Web site is possible that she cannot turn down people, which causes her to be overwhelmed and angry with those around her. She might find it difficult to manage her home and work life and this can lead to missed appointments and lost files. She could also be more easily triggered when she is rejected and is more likely to snap at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel intensely when you are rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or a negative comment from a coworker at work could trigger you. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated, and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result can harm your relationships and self-esteem. Rejection sensitivity can also result in anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations.
Although it's often linked to ADHD The issue of rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation that affects how your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health disorders like borderline personality disorder may also be a cause for these symptoms.
RSD patients can see events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they really are. This makes them more likely to interpret and interpret events as if they are related to rejection, even if they're not. RSD can cause you to be unable to control your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping strategies to manage RSD.
Check out the following articles to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
While there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the assistance of a mental health professional. You can use coping techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also establish a support network and practice mindfulness to reduce your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you overcome your RSD so that you can live a more fulfilling and happy life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek out counseling to learn how to get out. This can lessen the risk of having rejection-related feelings, such as anxiety and depression. You can also boost your self-esteem by focusing on creating healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident about your capabilities and provide a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviours. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of having sexual issues than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can result in feelings of guilt and shame which can have a negative effect on their relationships and overall wellbeing.
One study looked at adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those without the disorder. Both genders were affected. This is likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity which makes them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and ideas. The study revealed that females who have adhd are more likely to engage sexual fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles play, bondage and sexual relations with strangers. They also went to sex events and more clubs.
Both women and men with adhd were more likely to be in a relationship than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This is probably due to their higher levels of insecurity, and feeling misunderstood or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey also asked participants to report their experiences with extra-partner sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without the use of 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 of participants about their sexual problems. This questionnaire is composed of 19 items, which 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 the more symptomatology it has. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behavior of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These findings are important because the psychosexual experiences of people with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, infidelity that begins at the onset of adulthood and adolescence and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their relationships with loved ones. A lack of communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can result in anger, resentment, and even conflict within the relationship. A strong network of family and friends members who can understand is helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to keep in mind that those with ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors which can cause them to miss out on the main point of a discussion. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle with multitasking as well, which can cause them to lose track of conversations or do other activities while someone else talks.
These battles can create a cycle where the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with anger and stress and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood, and defensive. They can then withdraw, and the problem escalates from there.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of daily life. They may be feeling shame or low self-esteem because of their impulsive, chaotic behavior. Or they might feel like they cannot keep up with their chores and bills. They might also be suffering from mood swings and rejection sensitivity, as well as low sex drive.
It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek assistance. It is also essential for family members, especially spouses, to be aware of the condition and how it affects their loved one. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can come up with an action plan to meet their goals. The non-ADHD partner can assume more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD would focus on organizing and completing the housework.
Both partners should also strive to improve their communication and create a routine that includes regular schedules for sleeping, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It is also essential to find ways to make things easier for both of you by splitting household chores, or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for the person with ADHD like hiring a cleaning service or using apps to control costs.