High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience discontent and confusion in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe during times of hormonal changes, like the premenstrual or pregnancy periods.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies in order to cover their impairments and symptoms can delay referral.
This patient group faces a unique set challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The social and emotional challenges that accompany ADHD can make women feel down. Even when they're successful and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure due to things they cannot control. This can result in an unending cycle of feeling overwhelmed and unsatisfied. This can have a negative impact on their mental well-being.
Girls with ADHD who are not treated are at greater chance of developing chronic low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a higher chance of depression, anxiety and substance abuse. As adults, they're at an higher risk of having a single parent for children with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They are also more likely than other people to suffer from eating disorders and pass on their bad habits to their children.
It's important for girls to receive an assessment, as it will provide them with a better understanding of their issues and enable them to manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women report feeling more confident after receiving a diagnosis. They can stop getting angry about things they cannot control. It can also help to reframe their struggles and refocus on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopause their hormone levels alter, and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Being diagnosed with untreated adult ADHD can have devastating impacts on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can affect the woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. It is possible that she can't refuse people, which causes her to become overburdened and resentful towards people around her. She may find it difficult to organize the work and home lives of her children and this can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. Additionally, she could be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to react defensively and even lash out at the people she is in love with.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel extremely hurt when you are rejected. It could be real or perceived. You might be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative comment from a colleague at work. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts, feelings and beliefs that could harm your self-esteem and relationships. The sensitivity to rejection can also result in anxiety, depression and mood shifts.
Rejection sensitivity, while often linked to ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
People suffering from RSD may view events through a filter that makes them appear darker or less than they really are. This could cause people to interpret things as rejection related, even though they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult to control your emotions, which is why it's crucial to develop healthy strategies for coping to handle this.
You can find out more about the sensitivity to rejection by reading these articles:
While there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the help of a mental healthcare professional. You can utilize strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps change your negative thought patterns. You can also build an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to lessen your chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD, so you can live a happier and more satisfying life. Avoid toxic relationships as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how to get out. This can lower the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on relationships that are healthy, you can improve your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and provide you with a more realistic perspective on the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This can result in sexual dysfunctions or risky behavior. Women with high functioning adhd might be more at risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt which may negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being.
One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those who did not suffer from the disorder. Both genders were affected. This is probably due to the higher levels of impulsivity that can make them more likely to act on sexual thoughts and desires. The study found that women who have adhd are more likely to indulge in sexual fantasies and actions. This included submissive role-play and bondage as well as sexual contact with strangers. It was also more common for them to go out to sexual clubs and parties.
Females and males with adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than those without the disorder. This was due to their lack of control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This could be due to their higher levels of insecurity and a feeling of being misunderstood or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey asked respondents about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their sexual issues. The questionnaire comprises 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on 5 points, ranging between 1 (never to 5 (very frequently)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology it has. The HBI-19 was developed in order to assess sexual behavior between people who suffer from ADHD and those without.
These findings are significant due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of people with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been linked with sexual dysfunctions such as unwanted pregnancy and STIs, relationship dissatisfaction and adult onset infidelity, and dangerous sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have trouble in their romantic relationships. Lack of clear communication and miscommunication caused by signs such as forgetfulness and inattention can cause anger, frustration and conflict within a relationship. A supportive group of family and friends members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to remember that people suffering from ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior which can cause them to miss out on the central point of a discussion. People with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty with multitasking as well, which can cause them to become disengaged of conversations or perform other activities while others talk.
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 then tend to withdraw, and the problem escalates from there.
Women who have 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 chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel that they're not able to handle their household chores and bills. They might also have mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and a lack of sexual desire.
This is why it is crucial for people who suffer from ADHD to establish an effective treatment plan and seek assistance. It is also essential for family members particularly spouses to learn more about the condition and how it affects their loved ones. They can work together to set clear boundaries and expectations, then come up with a plan for how they can achieve those objectives. adhd symptoms women -ADHD partner can take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD would focus on organizing and finishing the housework.
Additionally, both partners must work together to communicate more efficiently and clearly, and establish a routine that incorporates regular sleep schedules, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to discover ways to make things easier for both partners, such splitting household chores or outsourcing some of those which are challenging for people with ADHD.