High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to discontent and confusion in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes, like the premenstrual or menstrual cycles.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to mask their symptoms and impairments could delay referral.
This group of patients faces specific challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
The emotional and social challenges associated with ADHD can make women feel low. Even when they are successful, it is easy to feel like failing because of the things they aren't able to change. This can create an unending cycle of feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. This can have a negative effect on their mental health.
Girls with ADHD who aren't treated are at a higher risk of having low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a higher chance of anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they are at greater risk of being parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or unemployment. 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 for girls to get a diagnosis, because it will give them a better understanding of their struggles and enable them to manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women report that they feel much more at ease after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to not be a victim of the little things they can't manage. It can also help reframe their problems and refocus them on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women mature and approach menopausal age their hormone levels alter, and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have a devastating impact on women in adhd's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt a woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. She may feel that she can't refuse people, leading her to feel overwhelmed and resentful towards people who are around her. She may find it difficult to manage her work and home life and this can lead to missing appointments and lost files. She can also be more easily triggered by rejection, therefore she's more likely to be defensive and snap at those she is in love with.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel deeply hurt when rejected. This can be real or perceived. You could be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a coworker at work. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can affect your relationships and self esteem. Sensitivity to rejection can result in anxiety, depression and mood shifts.
Rejection sensitivity, although often linked to ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be observed in other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, which makes them appear brighter or darker than they really are. This can cause them to interpret and perceive things as rejection related, even if they aren't. RSD can also cause you to have a harder managing your emotions, which is why it is important to have coping strategies that are healthy to manage this.
Check out the following articles to learn more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can use coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps change your negative thinking patterns. You can also engage in mindfulness and create a network of support to lessen your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This will help you overcome your RSD so that you can live a more fulfilling and happier life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, since they can worsen your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counsel to find out the best way to leave. This can lower the chance of rejection related feelings such as depression and anxiety. You can also improve your self-esteem by focusing on creating healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and give you an unbiased view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviours. Women with adhd that is high functioning are at a higher risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt and can have a negative effect on their relationships as well as their overall health.
One study conducted a survey of adults suffering from adhd assessment for adult Women (www.demilked.com) and discovered that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those without the disorder. This was true for both males and females. This is likely due to their more impulsive levels, which can make them more likely to act on sexual desires and ideas. In particular, the study showed that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and actions. This included bondage, submissive roles and sex with strangers. They also attended sex parties and clubs more often.
Both women and men with adhd inattentive type in women were more likely to be infidelity than those who didn't have the disorder. This was due their poor impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. This could be due to their higher levels of insecurity, and feeling misunderstood or misjudged by their partners. The survey also asked participants to share their experiences with sexual relationships and sexual encounters without use of contraception. Table 6 presents the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants about their problematic sexual behaviors. The questionnaire consists of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using 5 points, ranging between 1 (never to 5) (very often)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used to evaluate the sexual behaviours of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These results are important since the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship problems, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. A lack of clear communication, and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can lead to anger, resentment and conflict in the relationship. A supportive network of friends and family members who are able to understand each other can be helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to note that those with ADHD are often unable to listen. They are often interrupted by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which could cause them to lose the purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD might also have difficulty multitasking, which can lead them to tune out conversations or to do something else while another person is talking.
These conflicts can lead to a vicious cycle in which 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 problem escalates from there.
Women who have high-functioning adhd in women test are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their daily demands. They may feel shame and low self-esteem because of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel that they're unable to keep up with their chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and low sex desire.
For these reasons, it is essential for those who suffer from ADHD to establish a treatment plan and seek out help. It is essential that those who are closest to them, including spouses, understand ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to set clear expectations and boundaries and then devise a plan for how they will achieve their objectives. For example the non-ADHD spouse could assume more financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD may be more focused on organizing and completing housework.
Additionally, both partners should be able to communicate clearly and effectively, and establish a routine that incorporates regular sleep schedules, meal times, and time for rest and relaxation. It is also crucial to discover ways to make life simpler for both parties by splitting household chores, or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for the person with ADHD, such as hiring a cleaning service or using apps to control expenses.