High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe during periods of hormonal changes, like premenstrual and pregnancy periods.
Many women and girls use compensatory strategies to masking their symptoms and impairments which may delay the time to referral.
This group of patients faces particular issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Lack of Self-Esteem
Women can feel depressed by the social and emotional challenges of ADHD. Even when they're doing well, it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they aren't able to control. This can create an endless feeling of being overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative impact on their mental well-being.
Girls with untreated ADHD are more at risk of developing chronic low self-esteem and anxiety, teen pregnancy, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at higher risk of having a single parent for a child with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely than other people to suffer from eating disorders and to pass their bad habits onto their children.
It's crucial that girls receive a diagnosis because it will help them better comprehend their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel more confident after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop beating themselves up over the small things they cannot manage. It can also help to reframe their issues and help them focus on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women mature and approach menopausal age, their hormone levels change and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. click the up coming post makes it more difficult for them to be identified and treated since they are often misdiagnosed as an anxiety or mood disorder and their symptoms are viewed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect the woman's daily routine which can make her angry and exhausted. She may feel she can't say no to anyone, leading her to overburden herself and feel resentful towards people close to her. She may find it difficult organizing her work and home life, which leads to missed appointments and lost documents. She may also be more easily angered when she is not liked, making her more likely to snap at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel very hurt when rejected. This can be real or perceived. It could be caused by a disagreement with your partner or a negative review from a coworker at work. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated, and the thoughts and feelings that result could harm your self-esteem and relationships. You can also experience depression, anxiety and mood fluctuations as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.
While it's often associated with ADHD The issue of rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation that affects the way your brain manages emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People with RSD may view events through a filter that makes them appear darker or dimmer than they really are. This causes them to interpret things as if they are related to rejection, even if they're not. RSD can cause you to be unable to control your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage RSD.
You can learn more about rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:
While there is no cure for RSD but it is possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of a mental health professional. You can use coping techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also build an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to reduce your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to live a happier and more fulfilled life. Avoid toxic relationships since they can worsen your symptoms. If you're in an abusive relationship, get counseling to learn how to get out. This can help you lower the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, like anxiety and depression. You can also boost your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident about your abilities and provide an objective view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This can cause sexual dysfunctions or risky sexual behaviors. Women who have high functioning adhd are at a higher risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can also result in feelings of shame and guilt, which can have a negative effect on the quality of their relationships as well as their overall health.
In one study, those with ADHD were found to be more likely than those with ADHD to have adventurous sexual curiosity. Both genders were affected. This could be due to their higher levels of impulsivity which makes them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and ideas. The study revealed that females who suffer from adhd are more likely to engage paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included bondage, submissive roles and sex with strangers. They also went to sex parties and clubs more often.
Both females and males suffering from adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than those without the disorder. This was due their poor control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This was likely also due to their higher rates of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations that were not contraceptive. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to ask participants about their sexual issues. The questionnaire is comprised of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, between 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score the more symptomatology it has. The HBI-19 was used to evaluate the sexual behavior of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These results are important due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of people with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, like STI's, unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have issues with their relationships with loved ones. A lack of clear communication, and miscommunication due to symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention can lead to anger, resentment, and even conflict in the relationship. A supportive network of friends and family members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind that people who suffer from ADHD have trouble listening. They are often interrupted by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which may cause them to lose the purpose of an exchange. People with ADHD might also have difficulty multitasking, which can lead them to shut out conversations or to do something else while other people are talking.
These conflicts can result in an unending cycle where the person who isn't ADHD is overwhelmed by stress and resentment and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. The issue can get worse from there as they become more withdrawn.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by their everyday demands. They may feel shame or low self-esteem due to their impulsive, unorganized behavior. They may feel like they cannot manage their bills and chores. They may also have mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and low sexual desire.
It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD seek treatment and seek out help. It is also crucial for their family members particularly spouses, to understand the disorder and how it affects the person they love. They can collaborate to set clear boundaries and expectations, then come up with a plan for how they will meet those goals. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and finishing the housework.
In addition, both parties must work together to communicate more effectively and clearly and establish a regular routine that incorporates regular sleep schedules, meal times, and time for rest and relaxation. It's important to find ways to make things easier for both of you, like splitting household chores or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for someone with ADHD.