High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. The symptoms can be more severe during times of hormonal changes, such as the premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies to mask their impairments and symptoms can delay the time for referral.
This patient group faces a unique set problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The social and emotional challenges that come with ADHD can make women feel low. Even when they're doing well and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure because of things they aren't able to control. This can create a vicious cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never quite good enough and can affect their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls who aren't treated for ADHD are at higher risk of having low self-esteem for a long time and teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they are more likely to be parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or unemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their bad patterns could be passed on to their children.
It is crucial for girls to receive an assessment, as it will provide them with a better understanding of their issues and allow them to manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving an diagnosis. They can stop being a victim of things they aren't able to control. It helps them to see their challenges as strengths and help them focus their attention on what matters most (Waite 2010).
As women mature and approach menopausal age, their hormone levels change, and ADHD symptoms can get worse. This can make it harder to diagnose and treated, as they're often misdiagnosed as an anxiety or mood disorder and the symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms can interfere with daily routines, making her exhausted and irritable. She might feel like she can't refuse people, leading her to be overwhelmed and resentful of those around her. It could be difficult to organize the work and home lives of her children and this can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She may also be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to react defensively and snap at those she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel intensely when you're rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or an unkind comment from a coworker at work could trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are triggered and result in thoughts, feelings and beliefs that can harm your relationships and self esteem. The sensitivity to rejection can also lead to depression, anxiety and mood fluctuations.
Rejection sensitivity, while typically associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health issues like borderline personality disorder can also show these symptoms.
treatment for adhd in women might perceive events through a filter, making them appear darker or brighter than they are. This could cause them to interpret things as rejection related, even if they aren't. RSD can make you unable to control your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with RSD.
Learn more about the issue of rejection sensitivity by reading the following articles:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can use coping techniques like cognitive behavior therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also create a support network and practice mindfulness to lessen your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to live a more positive and satisfying life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, get counseling to discover the best method to leave. This can reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, such as anxiety and depression. By focusing on healthy relationships and relationships, you can boost your self-esteem. This will make you feel more confident in your abilities and provide an objective view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship challenging. This can result in sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Women with high functioning adhd might be more at risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can cause feelings of shame and guilt and can affect their relationships and overall well-being.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than people without ADHD to have adventurous sexual interest. Both genders were affected. This was likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity which makes them more likely to act on sexual desires and ideas. In particular, the study showed that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and behaviours. This included bondage, submissive roles and sex with strangers. It was also common for them to attend sex clubs and parties.
Both males and females with adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than those without the disorder. This is due to their weak control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This is probably due to their higher levels of insecurity and a feeling of being misunderstood or criticized by their partners. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with extra-partner sexual relations and sexual interactions without use of contraception. Table 6 provides the results from this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants to describe their sexual issues. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using a 5-point scale, between 1 (never to 5 (very often)). The higher the score, more symptoms are present. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behaviours of people with and without ADHD.
These results are important due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of people with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have trouble in their relationships with loved ones. Insufficient communication and miscommunication caused by signs such as inattention and forgetfulness may lead to frustration, anger and conflict within the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a supportive network of family and friends who understand.
It is also important to remember that those with ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their thoughts or their impulsive behavior which could cause them to lose focus on the central purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to be struggling with multitasking, too, which can cause them to tune out of conversations or engage in other activities while others talk.
These conflicts can lead to a vicious cycle in which the non-ADHD partner becomes overwrought with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner is misunderstood and defensive. The problem can escalate in the meantime as they become more distant.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They may be feeling low self-esteem or shame due to their impulsive, chaotic behavior. Or they might find themselves struggling to manage their obligations and bills. They may also have mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and low sexual desire.
Because of this, it is essential for those who suffer from ADHD to establish an effective treatment plan and seek out help. It is crucial that the people closest to them, including spouses, understand ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can develop a plan to achieve their goals. The non-ADHD partner could assume more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and completing chores at home.
In addition, both parties must work together to communicate more clearly and effectively, and establish a routine that includes regular sleep patterns, meal times and time to relax and rest. It is important to find ways to simplify things for both of you, like splitting household chores or outsourcing some of those which are challenging for people with ADHD.