Looking For Inspiration? Check Out High Functioning ADHD In Women
High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are unhappy and are often misunderstood in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe during periods of hormonal changes, like the premenstrual or pregnancy periods.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies, concealing their impairments and symptoms that can delay time until referral.
This patient group faces specific issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The emotional and social challenges that accompany ADHD can make women feel low. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're an failure due to things they can't change. This can lead to an endless cycle of feeling overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative impact on their mental well-being.
Girls who don't have treatment for ADHD are more at risk of having low self-esteem for a long time as well as anxiety, teen pregnancy, depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they are more likely to be single-parents to a child with ADHD and facing financial hardship or underemployment. They're also more likely than others to suffer from eating disorders and pass their bad habits onto their children.
It is crucial for girls to receive an accurate diagnosis because it will give them a better understanding of their issues and help them manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving an diagnosis. They are no longer getting angry about things they can't control. It can also help to reframe their struggles and refocus on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopausal age, their hormone levels could change and ADHD symptoms could worsen. This makes it more difficult for them to be identified and treated because they're often misdiagnosed as having anxiety or mood disorder and the symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt the woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. It is possible that she cannot say no to anyone and end up overburdened herself and feel resentful towards those close to her. It could be difficult to manage her work and home life which can lead to missing appointments and lost files. She may also be more easily triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to be defensive and snap at those she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel a strong sense of when you're being rejected, whether real or perceived. You could be triggered by an argument 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 can harm your self-esteem and relationships. You may also experience depression, anxiety, and mood changes due to the sensitivity to rejection.
While it's often associated with ADHD, rejection sensitivity is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation that affects the way your brain handles emotions and the way you react to them. Other mental health conditions like borderline personality disorder can be a sign of these symptoms too.
RSD patients can see events through a filter, which makes them appear darker or brighter than they actually are. This can cause them to interpret and perceive things as being related to rejection even if they aren't. RSD can also cause you to have a harder time regulating your emotions and that's why it's crucial to develop healthy strategies for coping to manage this.
Check out the following articles to learn more about rejection sensitivity.
While there is no cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of a mental health professional. You can utilize coping techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also create a support network and practice mindfulness to reduce your chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you overcome your RSD so that you can live a more fulfilling and happy life. It is also crucial to avoid toxic relationships as they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you're in a abusive relationship, get counseling to learn the best way to leave. This can lower the risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, like anxiety and depression. By focusing on relationships that are healthy that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and give an objective view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviours. Women who have high functioning adhd may be at greater risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt which may negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being.
One study looked at adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those without the disorder. Both genders were affected. This is likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity, which makes them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and thoughts. The study revealed that females who suffer from adhd are more likely to indulge in sexual fantasies and actions. adult add women included submissive role play and bondage as well as sex with strangers. It was also more typical for them to attend sex clubs and parties.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely be infidelity than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This could be due to their greater levels of anxiety, and feeling misunderstood or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with extra-partner sexual relations and sexual interactions without the use of contraception. Table 6 outlines the results of this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants to describe their problematic sexual behaviors. This questionnaire is composed of 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a five-point scale from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used in order to assess sexual behavior between people who suffer from ADHD and those without.
These findings are significant because the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been linked with sexual dysfunctions like STIs and unwanted pregnancy relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult onset infidelity, and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. visit the website of clear communication, and misunderstandings due to issues like inattention and forgetfulness can cause anger, resentment, and a conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a network of family and friends who can understand.
It is crucial to keep in mind that those with ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior, which could cause them to lose focus on the central reason for a discussion. 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 result in an unending cycle where the person who isn't ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. The issue can get worse in the meantime as they become more distant.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by their daily demands. They may experience guilt or self-esteem issues because of their impulsive, chaotic behavior. Or they might feel that they are unable to manage their bills and chores. They may also have mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sexual desire.
It is crucial that people with ADHD find a treatment and seek help. It is also important for those close to them, especially spouses, to be aware of the condition and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they will develop a plan to achieve their goals. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing the housework.
Both partners should also be working to improve their communication and establish an established routine that includes regular schedules for sleeping, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It's important to find ways to make things easier for both partners, such dividing household tasks or outsourcing certain tasks which are challenging for people with ADHD.