High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd experience frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes like the premenstrual or menstrual cycles.
Many girls and women use compensatory strategies to concealing their impairments and symptoms which may delay the time until referral.
This group of patients faces particular problems that need to be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
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 are constantly overwhelmed and never satisfied and can be detrimental to their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls with ADHD who are not treated are at a greater risk for chronic low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're more likely to be single-parents of a child with ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or unemployment. They're also more likely to struggle with eating disorders, and their unhealthy habits can be passed on to their children.
It's crucial for girls to get a diagnosis, because it will give them a better understanding of their issues and allow them to manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women report feeling confident after receiving a diagnosis. They are no longer getting angry about things they can't manage. 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 enter menopause their hormone levels may change, and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD because their symptoms may be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating impacts on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms can interfere with daily routines, making her frustrated and exhausted. It is possible that she can't refuse people, which causes her to be overwhelmed and angry with people who are around her. She may find it difficult organizing her work and home life, which can lead to delayed appointments and lost documents. She could also be more easily angered when she is not liked which makes her more likely to snap at those she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel a strong sense of when you are rejected, whether real or perceived. It could be caused by a disagreement with your partner or a negative feedback from a coworker at work. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are overwhelmed and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result can harm your relationships and self-esteem. You may also experience depression, anxiety, and mood changes due to rejection sensitivity.
Although it's often attributed to ADHD Rejection sensitiveness is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain manages emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder can also show these symptoms.
People suffering from RSD may see events through an eye that makes them appear darker or less than they really are. This can cause them to interpret things as if they are related to rejection, even if they're not. treatment for adhd in women can also cause you to have a harder managing your emotions and that's why it is important to have healthy coping strategies to deal with this.
Learn more about rejection sensitivity by reading these articles:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the assistance of a mental health professional. You can use coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you change your negative thinking patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and create a network of support to reduce your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This will help you overcome your RSD to live a more fulfilling and happy life. Avoid toxic relationships, because they can cause more symptoms. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how to get out. This can reduce your risk of rejection related feelings, such anxiety and depression. You can also improve your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident in your abilities and give an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions or risky sexual behavior. 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 shame and guilt, which can have a negative effect on their relationships as well as their overall health.
In one study, those with ADHD were found to be more likely than people without ADHD to exhibit a sexual interest. Both males and women were affected. This could be due to the greater impulsivity levels that can cause them to be more likely to act on sexual thoughts and desires. In particular, the study showed that women with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive roles, bondage and sex with strangers. It was also more common for them to go to sex clubs and parties.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely to be infidelity than those who didn't have the disorder. This was due to poor impulse control and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This could be due to their greater levels of anxiety and being misunderstood, or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey also asked participants to report their experiences with sexual relationships and sexual encounters without use of contraception. Table 6 presents the results of this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to ask participants about their sexual issues. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is rated using a five-point scale, ranging between 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behavior of adults with and without ADHD.
These results are important because the psychosexual results for adults with ADHD were not studied as often. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have trouble in their romantic relationships. A lack of communication and misunderstandings due to issues like forgetfulness and inattention can result in anger, resentment, and a conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a supportive network of friends and family members who understand.
It is also important to keep in mind that people suffering from ADHD are often unable to listen. They are easily distracted by their thoughts or their impulsive behavior which can cause them to miss out on the central purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in multitasking, which can cause them to tune out of conversations or perform other things while someone else talks.
These conflicts can result in an unending cycle where 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 problem escalates from there.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They may experience feelings of low self-esteem and shame because of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel that they can't keep up with their chores and bills. They may also have mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sex desire.
Because of this, it is essential for those with ADHD to develop a treatment plan and seek assistance. It is important that the people closest to them, especially spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to establish clear expectations and boundaries, then come up with a plan for how they can achieve those goals. For instance, the non-ADHD partner might take on more of the financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD may be more focused on organizing and completing housework.
Both partners should also strive to improve communication and establish a routine that includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times and time for relaxation and rest. It is also crucial to find ways to make things easier for both parties by splitting household chores, or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD like hiring cleaning services or utilizing apps to manage costs.