High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to discontent and confusion in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes such as the premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.
Many girls and women are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, masking their symptoms and impairments that can delay time until referral.
This patient group faces particular challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Self-esteem issues
Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're failing because of the things they can't change. This can result in an unending cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never quite good enough which can affect their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at a higher risk of having low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of depression, anxiety, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at greater risk of being the sole parent to children with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their unhealthy patterns can pass down to their children.
It's important for girls to receive an assessment, as it will give them a better understanding of their issues and help them manage their symptoms more efficiently. adhd test for women say that they feel much more confident after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop beating themselves up over the little things they are unable to manage. It can also help them reframe their struggles as strengths and help them focus their focus on what is important most (Waite, 2010).
As women mature and approach menopausal their hormone levels alter, and ADHD symptoms may get worse. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat women with ADHD as their symptoms could be incorrectly identified and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on women's self-esteem and her relationships with family and friends. adhd symptoms women can affect everyday routines, leaving them feeling exhausted and angry. It is possible that she cannot refuse to be around people, leading her to overburden herself and become resentful of those close to her. She may find it difficult organizing her home and work life, which can lead to missing appointments and documents getting lost. She may also be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, therefore she's more likely to react defensively and even lash out at the people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel very hurt when rejected. This can be real or perceived. You might be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a coworker at work. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts and feelings that can affect your self-esteem and relationships. Sensitivity to rejection can cause anxiety, depression and mood swings.
Rejection sensitivity, which is typically associated with ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they are. This could cause people to interpret things as being related to rejection even though they're not. RSD can cause you to be incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping strategies to deal with RSD.
You can learn more about rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the assistance of a mental healthcare professional. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also develop mindfulness and build a community of support to reduce your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to lead a more pleasant and fulfilling life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek out counseling to find out how you can leave. This will reduce the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection like depression and anxiety. By focusing on healthy relationships, you can improve your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and give a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can result in sexual dysfunctions or risky sexual behaviors. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at a greater risk of experiencing these sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can result in feelings of guilt and shame and can have a negative effect on their relationships and overall wellbeing.
In one study, adults with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to be sexually adventurous. interest. Both males and women were affected. This is probably due to the greater impulsivity levels that can make them more likely be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. Specifically, the study found that females with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and actions. This included bondage, submissive roles, and sex with strangers. They also went to sex parties and clubs more often.
Both females and males suffering from adhd had a greater rate of infidelity than those who did not have the disorder. This is due to their poor impulse control and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. It could also be because of their higher rates of insecurity and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey also asked participants to share their experiences with extra-partner sexual relationships and sexual encounters without use of contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
In the final analysis, the study utilized the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire from participants about their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is evaluated on a five-point scale between 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behavior of people with and without ADHD.
These findings are important because the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been linked with sexual dysfunctions such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult-onset infidelity as well as risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clear communication and misunderstandings triggered by symptoms such as forgetfulness and inattention can result in anger, frustration and conflict within the relationship. A supportive group of family and friends members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind, too, that people who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are easily interrupted by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which can cause them to lose the purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle with multitasking as well which could cause them to lose track of conversations or do other things while someone else is talking.
These struggles can lead to a vicious cycle in which 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 become more introverted, and the problem escalates from there.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They may feel guilt or self-esteem issues because of their impulsive, disorganized behavior. Or they might feel that they are unable to keep up with their bills and chores. They might also feel mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sex desire.
This is why it is crucial for people who suffer from ADHD to establish an effective treatment plan and seek out help. It is also essential for their family members particularly spouses to learn more about the condition and how it affects their loved ones. They can work together to establish clear expectations and boundaries and then devise a plan for how they can achieve those objectives. For instance, the non-ADHD partner might assume more financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD may be more focused on organizing and completing housework.
In addition, both parties must work together to communicate more effectively and clearly and establish a routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It is important to find ways to make things easier for both of you, like sharing household chores or outsource certain tasks which are challenging for people with ADHD.