High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during periods of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many girls and women are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, concealing their impairments and symptoms, which can delay time until referral.
This patient group has a unique set of challenges that need to be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when they are successful, it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they can't change. This can result in an unending cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never good enough and can be detrimental to their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at greater chance of developing chronic low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of depression, anxiety and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at increased risk of single-parenting a child with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They are also more likely than others to be afflicted by eating disorders and pass on their bad habits to their children.
It is essential that women get a diagnosis as it will allow them to better recognize their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel much more confident after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop beating themselves up over the small things they cannot control. It helps them to see their difficulties as strengths and focus their focus on what is important most (Waite 2010,).
As women mature and approach menopausal their hormone levels alter and ADHD symptoms can get worse. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treated because they're often misdiagnosed as an anxiety or mood disorder, and the symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with friends and family. Symptoms may interfere with a woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. She might feel that she is unable to refuse to be around people, leading her to overburden herself and feel resentful towards the people closest to her. She might have difficulty organizing her work and home life, which leads to missing appointments and documents getting lost. She could be more prone to being triggered when she is rejected, making her more likely to snap at those she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. This can be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or a negative comment from a co-worker at work can trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are triggered which can trigger thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can affect your self-esteem and relationships. You may also experience anxiety, depression, and mood swings as a result of rejection sensitivity.
Rejection sensitivity, although often linked to ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain processes emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be seen in other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People suffering from RSD may see events through a filter that makes them appear darker or less than they really are. This can lead them to interpret things as being related to rejection, even though they're not. RSD can make you unable to control your emotions. This is why it is crucial to develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with RSD.
Read the articles below to learn more about the sensitivity to rejection.
While there is no cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavior therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also engage in mindfulness and build a network of support to reduce your chance of experiencing negative reactions to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and help you live a more positive and satisfying life. It is also important to avoid toxic relationships as they can cause symptoms to become worse. If you are in a abusive relationship, you should seek counseling to learn how you can safely get out. This can reduce your risk of feeling depressed and anxious such as depression and anxiety. You can also increase your self-esteem by focusing on building healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and give you an objective view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Women with adhd that is high functioning may be at greater risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can also lead to feelings of shame and guilt, which 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 those with ADHD to have adventurous sexual curiosity. This was the case for males and females. This is likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity which can make them more likely to act on their sexual desires and ideas. Specifically, the study found that women with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviours. This included submissive roles, bondage and sexing with strangers. It was also common for them to attend sexual clubs and parties.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely be in a relationship than those who did not have the disorder. adhd in young women was due to their lack of control of impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition. This could also be a result of their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey asked participants to describe their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19), which asked participants about their sexual issues. The questionnaire comprises 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on 5 points, ranging between 1 (never to 5 (very often)). The higher the score, more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behaviors of adults with and without ADHD.
These findings are significant because the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction, adult onset infidelity, and dangerous sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD struggle with their relationships with loved ones. Insufficient communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention can lead to frustration, anger, and conflict within relationships. A strong group of family and friends members who understand can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind that people who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior which can result in them missing out on the central purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which can lead them to shut out conversations or to do something else while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle where the partner who is not ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD person feels untrusted. The problem can escalate from there as they become more withdrawn.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their daily demands. They might experience feelings of low self-esteem and shame because of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel that they're unable to keep up with their chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings and sensitivity to rejection as well as low sex drive.
It is crucial that people with ADHD find a treatment and seek help. It is also essential for their family members particularly spouses, to be aware of the disorder and how it affects their loved one. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they will come up with an action plan to meet their goals. The non-ADHD partner could take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and completing chores at home.
Both partners must work to improve their communication and establish a routine, which includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It's also important to discover ways to make life easier for both parties for example, dividing household chores, or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for the person with ADHD for example, hiring an expert cleaning service or utilizing apps to manage expenses.