High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms can be more severe in periods of hormonal changes, such as the premenstrual and pregnancy periods.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to mask their symptoms and impairments could delay the time for referral.
This group of patients faces particular challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Lack of self-esteem
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. 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 create an endless cycle of feeling overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative impact on their mental well-being.
Girls with ADHD who are not treated are at a greater chance of developing chronic low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of depression, anxiety and abuse of substances. As adults, they are at greater risk of being single-parents of a child with ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or underemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their unhealthy patterns could be passed on to their children.
It is essential that girls get a diagnosis as it will help them comprehend their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving the diagnosis. They are no longer being a victim of things they aren't able to manage. It can also help them reframe their problems and refocus them on what is important (Waite 2010).
As women age and enter menopausal, their hormone levels can change and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt daily routines, making her exhausted and irritable. It is possible that she cannot say no to people and end up overburdened herself and feel resentful towards people close to her. adhd in women uk can be difficult organizing her home and work life, resulting in missed appointments and lost documents. She can also be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to react defensively and lash out at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel intensely when you're rejected, whether real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or an insult from a co-worker at work could trigger you. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated, and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result can harm your relationships and self-esteem. There are also depression, anxiety, and mood changes due to sensitive to rejection.
Although it's often attributed to ADHD The issue of rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation that affects how your brain manages emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be seen in other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients can see events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they actually are. This can cause people to interpret things as being related to rejection even if they aren't. RSD can also cause you to have a hard time regulating your emotions which is why it's crucial to have coping strategies that are healthy to deal with this.
You can learn more about the sensitivity to rejection by reading these articles:
While there is no cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavior therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also create an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to lessen your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This will aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more fulfilling and happy life. It is also essential to stay clear of toxic relationships since they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek out counsel to find out the best method to leave. This can reduce your risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, such anxiety and depression. By focusing on relationships that are healthy that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will make you feel more confident in your abilities and give a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions or risky behaviors. Women with high functioning adhd may be at greater risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment which may negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being.
In one study, people with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to have adventurous sexual curiosity. This was the case for males and females. This is probably due to the greater impulsivity levels that can cause them to be more likely be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. The study found that women who suffer from adhd are more likely to engage paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included submissive roles, bondage and sex with strangers. They also went to sex events and nightclubs more often.
Both women and men with adhd were more likely to be in a relationship than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This is due to their lack of impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This is likely due to their higher levels of insecurity and a feeling of being misunderstood or misjudged by their partners. The survey also asked participants to share their experiences with sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without use of contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their sexual problems. This questionnaire is composed of 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a five-point scale that ranges from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, more symptoms are present. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behaviours of people with and without ADHD.
These results are important because the psychosexual experiences of adults with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions like unwanted pregnancy and STIs, relationship dissatisfaction, adult-onset infidelity, as well as risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings triggered by symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention could lead to frustration, anger and conflict within the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a supportive network of family and friends who understand.
It is also important to note that people suffering from ADHD often have difficulty listening. They are easily interrupted by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which can cause them to lose the purpose of the conversation. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which can lead them to tune out conversations or to do something else while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can lead to a cycle where the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. They may then become more introverted and the issue can escalate from there.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They may feel low self-esteem and shame because of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel as if they're unable to keep up with their household chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and low sexual desire.
It is crucial that people with ADHD seek treatment and seek assistance. It is important that those who are closest to them, particularly spouses, learn more about ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they will come up with an action plan to meet their goals. For example the non-ADHD spouse could take on more of the financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD might focus on the task of organizing and finishing housework.
Additionally, both partners should work to communicate more clearly and effectively and establish a regular routine that incorporates regular sleep patterns, meal times, and time for rest and relaxation. It is important to discover ways to make things easier for both of you, like splitting household chores or outsourcing certain tasks which are challenging for people with ADHD.