High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are unhappy and are often misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes such as the premenstrual and menstrual cycles.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies in order to cover their impairments and symptoms can delay the time for referral.
This group of patients faces a unique set of issues that must be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even when they're successful, it's easy to feel like they're failing because of the things they can't change. This can create an unending cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never satisfied which can affect their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls with ADHD who aren't treated are at a greater risk of having low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy. They also have a higher chance of depression, anxiety, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at an greater risk of being the sole parent to children with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They are also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass their bad habits on to their children.
It's crucial for girls to get an assessment, as it will give them a better understanding of their issues and help them manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women report feeling confident after receiving an diagnosis. They can now stop berating themselves over things they can't control. It can also help them reframe their challenges as strengths and refocus their focus on what is important most (Waite, 2010).
As women age and approach menopause their hormone levels may change and ADHD symptoms may worsen. This can make it harder to diagnose and treated since they are often misdiagnosed as having anxiety or mood disorder, and the symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with family and friends. The symptoms can affect daily routines, making her feeling exhausted and angry. She might feel that she is unable to say no to anyone which causes her to burden herself and become angry with those close to her. It can be difficult to manage her work and home life, which can lead to missed appointments and lost documents. She may be more prone to being angered when she is not liked which makes her more likely to lash out at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel extremely when you are rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or an insult from a colleague at work can trigger you. Your brain's defense mechanisms naturally become over-stimulated and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result can hurt your self-esteem and relationships. Rejection sensitivity can also result in anxiety, depression and mood shifts.
Although it's often attributed to ADHD The issue of rejection sensitiveness is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation that affects how your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health issues such as borderline personality disorder may also show these symptoms.
RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they actually are. This could cause them to interpret and perceive things as being related to rejection, even though they're not. RSD can cause you to be incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with RSD.
You can learn more about rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can utilize coping techniques like cognitive behavior therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also establish a support network and practice mindfulness to lower your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD, so you can live a happier and more fulfilled life. It is also crucial to avoid relationships that are toxic as they can cause symptoms to become worse. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to discover the best way to leave. This will reduce the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, such anxiety and depression. You can also boost your self-esteem by building healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities, and will 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 behaviors. Women with adhd that is high functioning are at a higher risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can cause feelings of shame and guilt, which can negatively impact their relationships and well-being.
One study looked at adults with ADHD and discovered 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 could be due to the greater impulsivity levels that can make them more likely be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. Particularly, the study revealed that women with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviours. This included bondage, submissive roles and sex with strangers. It was also common for them to go out to sex clubs and parties.
Both females and males suffering from adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than those without 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 loved ones. The survey asked respondents about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relations without contraception. Suggested Web site from this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants to discuss their sexual issues. The questionnaire is comprised of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using a 5-point scale, from 1 (never to 5 (very often)). The more high the score, the more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used to evaluate the sexual behaviors 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 linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unwanted pregnancies, relationship problems, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings triggered by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness may result in anger, frustration and conflict within relationships. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a supportive network of friends and family members who understand.
It is also important to keep in mind that people suffering from ADHD often have difficulty listening. They are often interrupted by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which can cause them to miss the point of a conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to be struggling with multitasking, too and can cause them to lose track of conversations or perform other activities while someone else talks.
These battles can create a vicious cycle where the person who isn't ADHD is overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. The issue can get worse from there, as they become more withdrawn.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They may feel shame and low self-esteem because of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel that they can't keep up with their bills and chores. They might also be suffering from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection as well as low sex drive.
It is important that those with ADHD seek treatment and seek out help. It is important that those who are closest to them, including spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to establish clear boundaries and expectations, then come up with a plan for how they can achieve those goals. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing the chores at home.
Both partners must be working to improve communication and establish an established routine that includes regular schedules for sleeping, 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 that are difficult for someone with ADHD.