High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. Symptoms can heighten at periods of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many women and girls are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, masking their symptoms and impairments which may delay the time until referral.
This group of patients has specific challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
Women can feel depressed by the social and emotional challenges of ADHD. Even when they're successful it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they cannot control. This can create a vicious cycle where they feel constantly overwhelmed and never satisfied which can take a toll on their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at greater chance of developing chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a greater 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 also facing financial difficulties or underemployment. They are also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and pass their bad habits on to their children.
It's essential that women receive a diagnosis since it will help them comprehend their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling confident after receiving a diagnosis. They are no longer being a victim of things they cannot manage. It can also help them reframe their challenges as strengths and refocus their focus on what is important most (Waite, 2010).
As undiagnosed adhd in women and move towards menopausal age, their hormone levels could change and ADHD symptoms may worsen. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD as their symptoms could be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt the woman's daily routine, leaving her irritable and exhausted. She may feel she can't say no to anyone which causes her to burden herself and feel resentful towards those close to her. She may find it difficult organizing her home and work life, resulting in delayed appointments and lost documents. She could be more easily angered when she is not liked and is more likely to snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that makes you feel extremely when you're rejected, whether real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or an insult from a coworker at work can trigger your symptoms. 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. You can also experience anxiety, depression and mood changes due to the sensitivity to rejection.
While it's often associated with ADHD The issue of rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation that affects how your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health disorders like borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People suffering from RSD may view events through filters that make them appear more dark or dimmer than they actually are. This causes them to perceive and interpret things as if they are related to rejection, even if they are not. RSD can also cause you to have a harder managing your emotions which is why it is important to have coping strategies that are healthy to deal with this.
Read the articles below to learn more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can employ strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you change your negative thinking patterns. You can also create an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to reduce your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to live a more positive and satisfying life. Avoid toxic relationships, as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you are in a abusive relationship, seek counseling to find out how you can get out. This can lower the chance of rejection related feelings like depression and anxiety. By focusing on relationships that are healthy that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will allow you to feel more confident in your abilities and give you an objective view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship challenging. This can result in sexual dysfunctions or risky behavior. Women with high functioning adhd are at a higher risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can also result in feelings of guilt and shame, which can have a negative impact on their relationships and overall well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those who did not suffer from the disorder. Both genders were affected. This is likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity which could make them more likely to act on sexual desires and ideas. The study revealed that females with adhd are more likely to indulge in paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included submissive role-play, bondage and sexual relations with strangers. It was also common for them to go out to party and sex clubs.
Both women and men with adhd were more likely be in a relationship than those who did not have the disorder. This was due their poor impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. This is likely due to their greater levels of anxiety and a feeling of being misunderstood or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey asked participants to describe their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants about their problematic sexual behaviors. The questionnaire is comprised of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale ranging between 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used in order to compare sexual behaviors between people with ADHD and those without.
These results are important, since the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD were rarely studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, like STI's, unwanted pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication, and miscommunication due to symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness can lead to anger, resentment and even 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 note that people with ADHD are often unable to listen. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors that could cause them to lose focus on the main purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty with multitasking, too, which can cause them to tune out of conversations or perform other things while others talk.
These battles can create a vicious cycle in which the non-ADHD partner becomes overwrought with anger and stress, and the ADHD partner is misunderstood and defensive. The issue can get worse in the meantime as they become more distant.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by their everyday demands. They might experience feelings of shame and low self-esteem because of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel like they're not able to handle their household chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings and sensitivity to rejection and low sexual drive.
Because of this, it is essential for those who suffer from ADHD to establish a treatment plan and seek out help. It is crucial that those closest to them, particularly spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can collaborate to set clear expectations and boundaries and then formulate a plan for how they will meet those objectives. For instance the partner who is not ADHD could take on more of the financial responsibility, while the person with ADHD might be focused on the task of organizing and finishing housework.
Additionally, adhd in women treatment should work to communicate more efficiently and clearly, and establish a routine that includes regular sleep patterns, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's also important to discover ways to make life easier for both parties for example, dividing household chores, or outsourcing some of the tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD, such as hiring cleaning services or using apps to control expenses.