High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be unhappy and are often misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe in periods of hormonal changes, like the premenstrual or pregnancy cycles.
Many girls and women are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, masking their symptoms and impairments, which can delay time until referral.
This group of patients has a unique set of challenges that need to be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when they're successful and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure for things they cannot 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 suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at a higher risk for chronic low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. As adults, they are more likely to be single-parents to a child with ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or unemployment. They're also more likely to be struggling with eating disorders, and their bad patterns could be passed on to their children.
It's important for girls to receive an assessment, as it will give them an understanding of their struggles and enable them to manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women report feeling confident after receiving the diagnosis. They can stop being a victim of things they aren't able to manage. It can also help reframe their struggles and refocus on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopausal age, their hormone levels could change, and ADHD symptoms may worsen. It is often difficult to identify and treat women with ADHD because their symptoms may be incorrectly identified and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating impacts on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can disrupt a woman's daily routine which can make her angry and exhausted. It is possible that she can't refuse people, causing her to feel overwhelmed and angry with people around her. She might find it difficult to manage her work and home life which can lead to missed appointments and lost files. She can also be more easily triggered by rejection therefore she's more likely to react defensively and snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel a strong sense of when you're rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or a negative comment from a colleague at work could trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated, resulting in thoughts and feelings that can affect your self-esteem and relationships. You can also experience depression, anxiety and mood swings as a result of rejection sensitivity.
Although it's often linked to ADHD Rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation that affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be observed in other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People with RSD might see events through an eye that makes them appear darker or dimmer than they actually are. This can cause them to interpret things as being related to rejection, even though they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult to control your emotions which is why it's important to have coping strategies that are healthy to deal with this.
Read the articles below to find out more about the sensitivity to rejection.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to treat symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can use strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps modify your negative thought patterns. You can also create a support network and practice mindfulness to lessen your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you overcome your RSD to live a more satisfying and happier life. Avoid toxic relationships because they can cause more symptoms. If adhd in women signs are in a abusive relationship, seek out counseling to find out how you can get out. This can lower the chance of rejection related feelings such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on healthy relationships that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your capabilities and provide a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviors. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at greater risk of experiencing these sexual problems than non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment, which can negatively impact their relationships and wellbeing.
One study conducted a survey of adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those without the disorder. Both males and women were affected. This is likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity which could make them more likely to act on sexual desires and thoughts. The study revealed that females with adhd are more likely to engage in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive role play, bondage and sexual relations with strangers. It was also more typical for them to attend sex clubs and parties.
Both males and females with adhd had a greater rate of infidelity than people without the disorder. This was due to inability to control their impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This is probably due to their greater levels of anxiety and a feeling of being misunderstood or criticized by their partners. The survey also asked participants to report their experiences with sexual relations and sexual interactions without contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19), which asked participants to describe their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on 5 points, ranging from 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was developed in order to compare sexual behaviors between adults with ADHD and those who do not.
These results are important, because the psychosexual results for adults with ADHD were not studied as often. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction, adult-onset infidelity, as well as risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. Lack of clear communication and miscommunication caused by signs such as forgetfulness and inattention can result in anger, frustration and conflict in the relationship. A supportive network of family and friends members who understand can be beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to remember that people suffering from ADHD are often unable to listen. They can be interrupted easily by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which may cause them to lose the purpose of the conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to be struggling in multitasking which could cause them to become disengaged of conversations or engage in other activities while others talk.
These struggles can result in a cycle where the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. The issue can get worse from there, as they become more isolated.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They may be feeling guilt or self-esteem issues due to their impulsive and unorganized behavior. It is also possible that they feel that they are unable to keep up with their bills and chores. They may also feel mood swings, rejection sensitivity and a lack of sexual desire.
It is crucial that people with ADHD find a treatment and seek out help. It is also crucial for their family members particularly spouses, to be aware of the disorder and how it affects their loved one. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can develop a plan to meet their goals. The non-ADHD spouse could assume more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and finishing the chores at home.
Both partners must be working to improve their communication and create a routine, which includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It is also crucial to discover ways to make life easier for both parties for example, sharing household chores or outsourcing some of the tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD for example, hiring an expert cleaning service or using apps to manage expenses.