High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. The symptoms can become more severe during times of hormonal change, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many girls and women are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, concealing their impairments and symptoms that can delay time to referral.
This patient group faces specific issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The emotional and social issues that accompany ADHD can cause women to feel low. Even when they're successful and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure due to things they can't control. This can result in a vicious cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never satisfied, which can take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who don't have treatment for ADHD are more at risk of having low self-esteem for a long time and teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at a higher risk of becoming single-parents to a child with ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or underemployment. They're also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and pass on their bad habits to their children.
It's crucial that girls receive a diagnosis because it will allow them to better comprehend the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling more confident after receiving the diagnosis. They are no longer being a victim of things they aren't able to control. It can also help them reframe their issues and help them focus on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women age and approach menopausal age, their hormone levels could change, and ADHD symptoms may worsen. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat women with ADHD because their symptoms may be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Being diagnosed with untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can affect daily routines, leaving her exhausted and irritable. It is possible that she cannot say no to anyone, leading her to overburden herself and feel resentful towards the people closest to her. She might find it difficult to organize her home and work life, leading to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. Additionally, she could be more easily triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to be defensive and lash out at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. This can be real or perceived. You could be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative feedback from a colleague at work. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms become over-stimulated and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result can harm your relationships and self-esteem. You can also experience anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations as a result of sensitive to rejection.
Although it's often linked to ADHD The issue of rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation that affects how your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health issues such as borderline personality disorder can also be a cause for these symptoms.
People with RSD may view events through a filter that makes them appear darker or less than they really are. This causes them to interpret things as rejection-related, even when they are not. RSD can also cause you to have a hard managing your emotions, which is why it's crucial to have coping strategies that are healthy to manage this.
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While there is no cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the assistance of a mental health professional. You can employ coping strategies such as cognitive behavioral therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and build a network of support to lessen your chance of experiencing negative reactions to rejection. This will help you overcome your RSD so that you can live a more fulfilling and happier life. Avoid toxic relationships since they can worsen your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counseling to learn how to get out. This can help you 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 abilities and provide an objective view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Women who have high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can also lead to feelings of guilt and shame and can have a negative effect on their relationships and overall 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. Both genders were affected. This is probably due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can cause them to be more likely to act on sexual thoughts and desires. The study found that women who have adhd are more likely to engage in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included bondage, submissive roles, and sex with strangers. They also went to sex parties and more clubs.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely be in a relationship than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This is due to their weak control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This is probably due to their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood, or misjudged by their partners. The survey also asked participants to report their experiences with sexual relations and sexual interactions without contraception. Table 6 provides the results from this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants to describe their problematic sexual behaviors. This questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is rated on a five-point scale from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). 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 results are important, since the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD were rarely studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions such as unwanted pregnancy and STIs relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult-onset infidelity, as well as risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings triggered by symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness may lead to frustration, anger, and conflict within relationships. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a network of friends and family members who understand.
It is crucial to keep in mind, too, that people who suffer from ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their thoughts or their impulsive behavior which could cause them to miss out on the primary purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which could cause them to mute conversations or perform other tasks while another person is talking.
These struggles can result in an unbalanced relationship where the non-ADHD partner becomes overwrought with anger and stress and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood, and defensive. They may then become more withdrawn, and the problem escalates from there.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of daily life. They may experience feelings of guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel that they can't keep up with their bills and chores. They can also suffer from mood swings and rejection sensitivity as well as low sexual drive.
It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek help. It is also essential for family members particularly spouses to learn more about the disorder and how it affects their loved one. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, adhd in young women will create an action plan to reach their goals. The non-ADHD partner could take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and finishing the housework.
Both partners must work to improve their communication and create a routine that includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times, and time to relax and rest. It's important to find ways to make things easier for both spouses, such as dividing household tasks or outsourcing some of those that are difficult for someone with ADHD.