High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. The symptoms can be more severe during times of hormonal changes like premenstrual and menstrual cycles.
Many girls and women are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, concealing their impairments and symptoms that can delay time until referral.
This patient group faces a unique set challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Lack of self-esteem
Women can feel depressed by the social and emotional challenges of ADHD. Even when they're successful, it's easy to feel like they're a failure because of things they aren't able to change. This can result in a vicious cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never good enough and can be detrimental to their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls who don't have treatment for ADHD are more at risk of developing chronic low self-esteem, anxiety, teen pregnancy, depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at higher risk of having a single parent for children with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely to be struggling with eating disorders, and their bad habits can be passed on to their children.
It is essential that girls receive a diagnosis because it will help them better understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel much more at ease after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop blaming themselves for the small things they cannot control. It can also help them reframe their challenges as strengths and refocus their focus on what is important most (Waite 2010).
As women mature and approach menopause their hormone levels alter and ADHD symptoms can get worse. This can make it difficult for them to be identified 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. The symptoms can affect daily routines, making her frustrated and exhausted. She may feel she can't say no to anyone, leading her to overburden herself and feel resentful towards those close to her. She may find it difficult organizing her home and work life, which leads to missed appointments and lost documents. She could be more prone to being triggered when she is rejected, making her more likely to snap at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel deeply hurt when rejected. It could be real or perceived. You might be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative feedback from a colleague at work. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated, and the thoughts and feelings that result can harm your self-esteem and relationships. You can also experience depression, anxiety and mood swings as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, although often linked to ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be seen in other mental health disorders like borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients can see events through a filter, which makes them appear darker or brighter than they actually are. This could cause them to interpret things as being related to rejection, even if they aren't. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult to control your emotions and that's why it's crucial to have healthy coping strategies to handle this.
Learn more about the sensitivity to rejection by reading the articles below:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can utilize strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you modify your negative thought patterns. You can also create an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to lower your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD, so you can live a more positive and satisfying life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, since they can worsen your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek counseling to discover the best way to leave. This can lessen the risk of having feelings of rejection, such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on healthy relationships that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will make you feel more confident in your capabilities and provide an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviours. Women who have high functioning adhd may be at greater risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can cause feelings of shame and guilt and can have a negative effect on the quality of their relationships and overall wellbeing.
In one study, adults with ADHD were found to be more likely than people without ADHD to be sexually adventurous. curiosity. This was the case for males and females. This is probably due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can make them more likely to act on sexual thoughts and desires. Particularly, the study revealed that women with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive role play bondage, sexual contact with strangers. They also attended sex parties and nightclubs more often.
Both men and women with adhd were more likely be infidelity than those who did not have the disorder. This was due to their poor impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This could be due to their greater levels of anxiety and a feeling of being misunderstood or misjudged by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 presents the results from this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19), which asked participants to describe their sexual issues. This questionnaire is composed of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using five-point scale, starting from 1 (never to 5) (very often)). The more high the score, the more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behaviours of adults with and without ADHD.
These findings are significant due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of adults with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship problems, adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their romantic relationships. A lack of clear communication, and misunderstandings due to symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness can lead to frustration, resentment, and conflict in the relationship. A supportive network of friends and family members who can understand is beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to keep in mind that those with ADHD are often unable to listen. They are easily distracted by their thoughts or their impulsive behavior which could result in them missing out on the main reason for a discussion. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which could cause them to shut out conversations or do something else while someone else is talking.
These battles can create a vicious cycle in which the person who isn't ADHD is overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. They may then withdraw and the situation can get worse from there.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They may experience feelings of shame and low self-esteem because of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel as if they're unable to keep up with their household chores and bills. They can also suffer from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection as well as low sex drive.
It is important that those who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek out help. It is also important for their family members, especially spouses, to understand the condition and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to set the right expectations and boundaries and then devise a plan of how they will achieve their goals. add in women test -ADHD partner could take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing the chores at home.
In addition, both partners should be able to communicate efficiently and clearly and establish a routine that includes regular sleeping schedules, meal times, and time for rest and relaxation. It is essential to discover ways to make things easier for both spouses, such as sharing household chores or outsource certain tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD.