High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe during times of hormonal changes like premenstrual and menstrual cycles.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to mask their impairments and symptoms can delay the time for referral.
This group of patients faces a unique set problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Self-esteem issues
The emotional and social challenges associated with ADHD can leave women feeling low. Even when they're doing well it's easy to feel like a failure due to things they can't control. This can result in an unending cycle where they feel constantly overwhelmed and never good enough which can take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at a greater chance of developing chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of depression, anxiety and substance abuse. As adults, they're at higher risk of having a single parent for a child with ADHD and financial difficulties, as well as underemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their unhealthy habits can be passed on to their children.
It is essential that girls get a diagnosis as it will help them better understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel more empowered after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop beating themselves up over the small things they cannot manage. It can also help them see their struggles as strengths and help them focus their focus on what is important most (Waite 2010,).
As women age and enter menopausal, their hormone levels can change and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It is often difficult to identify and treat women with ADHD as their symptoms could be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of 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 women's daily routines, leaving her irritable and exhausted. It is possible that she cannot turn down people, causing her to be overwhelmed and resentful towards those who are around her. She may find it difficult to organize her work and home life which can lead to missing appointments and lost files. She could be more easily affected by rejection and is more likely to snap at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel a strong sense of when you're rejected, either real or perceived. You could be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative feedback from a colleague at work. Your brain's defense mechanisms naturally become over-stimulated and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result could harm your relationships and self-esteem. The sensitivity to rejection can also lead to depression, anxiety and mood shifts.
Although it's often attributed to ADHD, rejection sensitivity is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation that affects the way your brain manages emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder could also be a cause for these symptoms.
People suffering from RSD may view events through a filter that makes them appear darker or dimmer than they really are. This makes them more likely to interpret and interpret events as if they are related to rejection, even if they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult to control your emotions which is why it's important to have coping strategies that are healthy to handle this.
Read the articles below to learn more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you modify your negative thought patterns. You can also build 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 fulfilled and happy life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, since they can worsen your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek counsel to find out how to get out. This will reduce the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection such as depression and anxiety. You can also boost your self-esteem by focusing on creating healthy relationships. This will allow you to feel more confident about your abilities and give you an objective view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at greater risk of experiencing these sexual problems than non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can cause feelings of shame and guilt which may negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being.
One study looked at adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those without the disorder. Both genders were affected. This could be due to the higher levels of impulsivity that could make them more likely to act on their sexual ideas and desires. The study found that women who suffer from adhd are more likely to engage in paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included bondage, submissive roles, and sex with strangers. It was also more common for them to go out to sex clubs and parties.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely to be in a relationship than those who didn't have the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. This is probably due to their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood, or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with sexual relationships and sexual encounters without use of contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants to discuss their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire is comprised of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using five-point scale, starting from 1 (never to 5 (very often)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was utilized to compare sexual behaviors between adults with ADHD and those without.
These findings are significant, because the psychosexual outcomes for adults with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions like STI's, unwanted pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. A lack of communication, and miscommunication due to issues like forgetfulness and inattention can result in anger, resentment, and a conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be helped by a network of friends and family members who understand.
It is also important to remember that people with ADHD often have difficulty listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior that could cause them to lose focus on the main purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle with multitasking as well, which can cause them to become disengaged of conversations or do other things while someone else talks.
These conflicts can result in an unending cycle where the partner who is not ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. The problem can escalate from there as they become more isolated.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their everyday demands. adhd in women uk might experience feelings of low self-esteem and shame 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 and sensitivity to rejection and low sexual drive.
Because of this, it is essential for those suffering from ADHD to find an effective treatment plan and seek assistance. It is also essential for their family members particularly spouses, to be aware of the disorder 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 reach their goals. For example the non-ADHD spouse could assume more financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD might be focused on the task of organizing and finishing housework.
Additionally, both partners should be able to communicate efficiently and clearly, and establish a routine that incorporates regular sleep patterns, meal times and time for rest and relaxation. It is also crucial to discover ways to make life simpler for both parties for example, splitting household chores, or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD like hiring an expert cleaning service or using apps to control costs.