High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience discontent and confusion in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during times of hormonal change, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many girls and women are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, masking their symptoms and impairments which may delay the time to referral.
This patient group has particular issues that need to be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The emotional and social challenges associated with ADHD can make women feel down. Even when they're doing well and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure because of things they aren't able to control. This can result in an unending cycle of feeling overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative effect on their mental well-being.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at a greater risk of having low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. As adults, they are more likely to be single-parents of a child with ADHD and facing financial hardship or underemployment. They're also more likely than other people to suffer from eating disorders and pass their bad habits onto their children.
It's essential that girls get a diagnosis as it will help them recognize their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel more confident after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop beating themselves up over the little things they are unable to manage. It can also help them reframe their problems and refocus them on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopausal, their hormone levels change, and ADHD symptoms can get worse. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat women with ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms may interfere with a woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. It is possible that she isn't able to refuse people, causing her to feel overwhelmed and resentful of people around her. She may find it difficult to manage her home and work life which can lead to missed appointments and lost files. She can also be more easily triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to be defensive and snap at those she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel intensely when you are rejected, either real or perceived. You might be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative review from a coworker at work. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated and result in thoughts and feelings that can 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 an indication of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain processes emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health disorders like borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients can see events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they really are. This can lead people to interpret things as being related to rejection, even if they aren't. RSD can also cause you to have a hard managing your emotions, which is why it's important to develop healthy strategies for coping to deal with this.
Read the articles below to learn more about rejection sensitivity.
While there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the assistance of a mental health professional. You can use coping techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also develop mindfulness and create a network of support to lessen your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD and help you lead a more pleasant and fulfilling life. It is also crucial to avoid toxic relationships as they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how to get out. This can lessen the risk of having feelings of rejection, like depression and anxiety. You can also boost your self-esteem by building healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and give you an unbiased view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship challenging. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky behavior. Women with high functioning adhd might be more at risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can also trigger feelings of shame and guilt and can negatively impact their relationships and wellbeing.
One study surveyed adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was the case for both males and females. This could be due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can cause them to be more likely to act on sexual thoughts and desires. In particular, the study showed that females with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles, bondage and sex with strangers. They also attended sex parties and more clubs.
Both females and males suffering from adhd had a higher rate of infidelity than people without the disorder. This is due to their lack of impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This could be due to their higher levels of insecurity and a feeling of being misunderstood or criticized by their partners. The survey asked respondents about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 presents the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to ask participants about their sexual issues. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using 5 points, ranging from 1 (never to 5 (very often)). The higher the score, more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behaviours of adults with and without ADHD.
These findings are significant, because the psychosexual outcomes for adults with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, infidelity that begins at the onset of adulthood and adolescence and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as forgetfulness and inattention could lead to frustration, anger, and conflict within a relationship. A strong group of family and friends members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is important to remember that people with ADHD have trouble listening. They are often interrupted by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which can cause them to miss the main point of an exchange. adhd in adult women with ADHD are more likely to be struggling with multitasking as well which could cause them to tune out of conversations or perform other things while others talk.
These conflicts can lead to a vicious cycle in which the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood, and defensive. They may then withdraw, and the problem escalates from there.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their daily demands. They may experience feelings of guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel as if they can't keep up with their chores and bills. They might also feel mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sexual desire.
It is important that those who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek help. It is also important for those close to them particularly spouses to be aware of the disorder and how it affects their loved one. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. They can then come up with an action plan to achieve their goals. For online -ADHD spouse could be more involved in the financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD might be focused on organizing and completing housework.
In addition, both parties should be able to communicate clearly and effectively and establish a regular routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to find ways to make things easier for both partners, such sharing household chores or outsource certain tasks that are difficult for someone with ADHD.