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, such as the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Many women and girls use compensatory strategies to hiding their impairments and symptoms, which can delay time until referral.
This group of patients faces a unique set problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
Women can be depressed due to the social and emotional challenges of ADHD. Even when they're successful it's easy to feel like a failure for things they cannot control. This can lead to an unending cycle of feeling overwhelmed and unsatisfied. This can have a negative effect on their mental well-being.
Girls who don't have treatment for ADHD are at greater risk of chronic low self-esteem and anxiety, teen pregnancy depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at an greater risk of being the sole parent to children with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely to be struggling with eating disorders, and their unhealthy habits can be passed on to their children.
It is essential that girls receive a diagnosis because it will allow them to better recognize their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving the diagnosis. They are no longer being a victim of things they aren't able to control. It can also help them reframe their struggles and refocus on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women age and approach menopause their hormone levels may change, and ADHD symptoms may worsen. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD because their symptoms may be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
signs of add in adult women can have a devastating impact on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect women's daily routines that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. It is possible that she cannot say no to people, leading her to overburden herself and become angry with the people closest to her. She might find it difficult to organize the work and home lives of her children, leading to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She can also be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, which means she is more likely to react defensively and even lash out at the people she is in love with.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. This can be real or perceived. You could be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative feedback from a coworker at work. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated and the thoughts and feelings that result could harm your relationships and self-esteem. You can also experience depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations as a result of rejection sensitivity.
Rejection sensitivity, which is typically associated with ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder may also be a cause for these symptoms.
RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, which makes them appear darker or brighter than they really are. This can cause them to interpret things as if they are related to rejection, even if they're not. RSD can make you in a state of being unable to control your emotions. This is why it is crucial to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage RSD.
Learn more about the issue of rejection sensitivity by reading these 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 strategies for coping, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which can help you modify your negative thought patterns. You can also establish an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to lower the chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD and help you lead a more pleasant and fulfilled life. It is also crucial to avoid relationships that are toxic as they can make your symptoms worse. If you're in a abusive relationship, get counseling to learn the best way to leave. This can reduce your risk of rejection related feelings like depression and anxiety. You can also boost your self-esteem by building 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 romantic relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Women who have high functioning adhd may be at greater risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment, which can affect their relationships and well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those without the disorder. Both genders were affected. This is probably due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can make them more likely to act on sexual thoughts and desires. The study revealed that females who suffer from adhd are more likely to engage in sexual fantasies and actions. This included submissive role play bondage, sexual contact with strangers. It was also more typical for them to go out to sex clubs and parties.
Both males and females with adhd had a higher rate of infidelity than people without the disorder. This was due to lack of impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This was likely also because of their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without contraception. Table 6 presents the results from this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants about their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire consists of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using 5 points, ranging between 1 (never to 5) (very often)). The higher the score the more symptomatology it has. The HBI-19 was used in order to evaluate sexual behaviors between people with ADHD and those without.
These findings are significant because the psychosexual outcomes of people with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions such as unwanted pregnancy and STIs, relationship dissatisfaction, adult-onset infidelity, as well as dangerous sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings due to symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness can result in anger, resentment, and conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a supportive network of family and friends who can understand.
It is also important to remember that people with ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are easily interrupted by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which could cause them to miss the point of an exchange. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle with multitasking as well, which can cause them to lose track of conversations or engage in other things while someone else talks.
These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle where the person who isn't ADHD is overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. 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 and unorganized behavior. Or they might feel that they are unable to manage their obligations and bills. They may also have mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sexual desire.
This is why it is essential for those with ADHD to find a treatment plan and seek out help. It is also essential for those close to them, especially spouses, to learn more about the condition and how it affects their loved ones. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can come up with an action plan to meet their goals. The non-ADHD partner can take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing the chores at home.
Both partners must strive to improve their communication and establish an established routine that includes regular schedules for sleeping, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It is also essential to find ways to make things easier for both parties for example, sharing household chores or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for the person with ADHD for example, hiring a cleaning service or using apps to manage expenses.