Everything You Need To Learn About High Functioning ADHD In Women
High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. The symptoms can be more severe during periods of hormonal changes, like the premenstrual or pregnancy periods.
Many women and girls are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, concealing their impairments and symptoms, which can delay time until referral.
This group of patients faces distinct challenges which must be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even when they are successful, it is easy to feel like failing because of the things they aren't able to change. This can result in an unending cycle where they feel constantly overwhelmed and never quite good enough, which can affect their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls who suffer from 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 higher chance of depression, anxiety, and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at higher risk of having a single parent for a child with ADHD and financial problems, as well as underemployment. They're also more likely to be struggling with eating disorders, and their bad patterns can pass down to their children.
It's crucial that women receive a diagnosis because it will help them comprehend their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. undiagnosed adhd in women report feeling confident after receiving an diagnosis. They can now stop being a victim of things they cannot manage. It helps them to see their struggles as strengths and help them focus their focus on what is important most (Waite 2010,).
As women age and move towards 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 consequences on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect a woman's daily routine which can make her angry and exhausted. It is possible that she cannot refuse to be around people which causes her to burden herself and become resentful of those close to her. She may find it difficult organizing her home and work life, which can lead to missing appointments and documents getting lost. She could be more easily angered when she is not liked, making her more likely to lash out at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel intensely when you are rejected, whether it is real or perceived. You could be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative feedback from a coworker at work. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms become over-stimulated, and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result could harm your self-esteem and relationships. The sensitivity to rejection can also result in anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations.
While it's often associated with ADHD, rejection sensitiveness is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation that affects how your brain handles emotions and the way you react to them. The symptoms can also be observed in other mental health disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, which makes them appear brighter or darker than they actually are. This can lead people to interpret things as being related to rejection, even if they aren't. RSD can make you incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping strategies to manage RSD.
Check out the following articles to find out more about the sensitivity to rejection.
While there is no cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavior therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also develop mindfulness and create a network of support to decrease your chance of experiencing negative reactions to rejection. This can aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more satisfying and happier life. It is also essential to avoid relationships that are toxic as they can cause symptoms to become worse. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek out counseling to learn how to safely quit. This will reduce the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection like depression and anxiety. You can also increase your self-esteem by focusing on creating healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and give an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviors. Women with high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can also cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment and can negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being.
In one study, adults with ADHD were found to be more likely than those with ADHD to exhibit a sexual fascination. This was true for both males and females. This was likely due to their more impulsive levels, which can make them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and thoughts. Specifically, the study found that women with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviours. This included submissive roles, bondage and sex with strangers. They also went to sex events and more clubs.
Both women and men with adhd were more likely to be infidelity than those who didn't have the disorder. This is due to their poor impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This could also be because of their higher rates of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by their partners. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with extra-partner sexual relationships and sexual encounters without the use of contraception. Table 6 outlines the results of this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants about their problematic sexual behaviors. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a five-point scale between 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, the more symptoms are present. The HBI-19 was used to evaluate the sexual behaviours of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These findings are significant due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of people with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions like STIs and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction, adult-onset infidelity, as well as risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD experience difficulties in their relationships with loved ones. A lack of communication, and miscommunication caused by symptoms such as forgetfulness and inattention can lead to frustration, resentment, and even conflict within the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a network of family and friends who understand.
It is important to remember that those who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are easily interrupted by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which could cause them to lose the purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle in multitasking and can cause them to become disengaged of conversations or engage in other activities while someone else is talking.
These conflicts can result in an unending cycle where the person who isn't ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. They can then become more withdrawn, and the problem escalates from there.
Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They may feel shame or low self-esteem because of their impulsive, disorganized behavior. Or they might feel that they are unable to manage their chores and bills. They can also suffer from mood swings and rejection sensitivity, as well as low sex drive.
This is why it is crucial for people with ADHD to find a treatment plan and seek out help. It is important that those closest to them, especially spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can create an action plan to reach their goals. For example the non-ADHD spouse could take on more of the financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD might be focused on completing chores and organizing the house.
In addition, both partners should work to communicate more efficiently and clearly and establish a regular routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It is essential to discover ways to make things easier for both of you, like dividing household tasks or outsourcing some of those that are difficult for someone with ADHD.