High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd experience discontent and confusion in their relationships. Symptoms can heighten at times of hormonal change, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many women and girls are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, concealing their impairments and symptoms which may delay the time until referral.
This group of patients has a unique set of challenges which must be considered when treating them.
1. Lack of Self-Esteem
The emotional and social issues that accompany ADHD can leave women feeling low. Even when they're doing well, it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they cannot control. This can create an unending cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never satisfied which can affect their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who aren't treated for ADHD are at greater risk of developing chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at increased risk of single-parenting a child with ADHD and financial difficulties, as well as underemployment. They are also more likely than others to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass their bad habits onto their children.
It's crucial that women receive a diagnosis since it will help them understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling confident after receiving the diagnosis. They can now stop being a victim of things they cannot control. It can also help them reframe their problems and refocus them on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopause their hormone levels may change, and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be incorrectly identified and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms can interfere with daily routines, leaving her feeling exhausted and angry. It is possible that she can't refuse people, leading her to become overburdened and resentful of those around her. She may find it difficult to manage the work and home lives of her children, leading to missed appointments and lost files. Additionally, she could be more easily triggered by rejection which means she is more likely to react defensively and lash out at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel a strong sense of when you're rejected, whether real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or an unkind comment from a coworker at work could trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated and result in thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can affect your relationships and self esteem. You may also experience depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.
adhd in women test iampsychiatry , which is typically associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health disorders like borderline personality disorder may also be a cause for these symptoms.
People suffering from RSD may see events through an eye that makes them appear more dark or dimmer than they actually are. This makes them more likely to perceive and interpret things as rejection-related, even when they're not. RSD can cause you to be incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping strategies to manage RSD.
Check out the following articles to find out more about the sensitivity to rejection.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can use coping techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also establish an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to lower your chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This can aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more fulfilling and happy life. It is also important to avoid toxic relationships as they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek counseling to discover how to get out. This will reduce the risk of rejection related feelings, such anxiety and depression. You can also improve your self-esteem by focusing on developing 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 romantic relationship. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviors. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at greater risk of experiencing these sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt and can affect their relationships and well-being.
In one study, adults with ADHD were found to be more likely than people without ADHD to have adventurous sexual interest. Both genders were affected. This is likely due to their more impulsive levels, which makes them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and thoughts. The study found that females who have adhd are more likely to engage in sexual fantasies and actions. This included bondage, submissive roles, and sex with strangers. It was also more common for them to attend sex clubs and parties.
Females and males with adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than people without the disorder. This was due to their poor impulse control and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. This could also be because of their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey also asked participants to report their experiences with sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without contraception. Table 6 outlines the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants to describe their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using five-point scale, starting from 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was utilized to evaluate sexual behaviors between people who suffer from ADHD and those who do not.
These findings are significant, because the psychosexual outcomes for adults with ADHD were not studied as often. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions like STI's, unwanted pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have issues in their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention could cause anger, frustration, and conflict within relationships. A supportive group of family and friends members who are able to understand each other can be helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is important to remember that people who suffer from ADHD have trouble listening. They are often interrupted by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which can cause them to miss the point of the conversation. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which could cause them to shut out conversations or to do something else while another person is talking.
These struggles can lead to a vicious cycle in which the partner who is not ADHD is overwhelmed by 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 often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They may feel shame and low self-esteem because of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel as if they can't keep up with their chores and bills. They might also experience mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sex desire.
This is why it is essential for those who suffer from ADHD to find a treatment plan and seek out help. It is crucial that those who are closest to them, including spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to establish clear expectations and boundaries and then formulate a plan of how they will meet those goals. For example the non-ADHD spouse could be more involved in the financial responsibility, while the person with ADHD might focus on the task of organizing and finishing housework.
Both partners should also work to improve their communication and create a routine that includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to discover ways to make things easier for both spouses, such as dividing household tasks or outsourcing some of those which are challenging for people with ADHD.