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High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. Symptoms can heighten at periods of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies in order to cover their symptoms and impairments could delay referral.
This group of patients has distinct challenges that must be considered when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
The social and emotional challenges associated with ADHD can make women feel low. Even when they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're failing because of the things they aren't able to change. This can create an endless cycle of feeling like they feel overwhelmed and never good enough which can affect their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls with untreated ADHD are at greater risk of developing chronic low self-esteem as well as anxiety, teen pregnancy, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they are at greater risk of being single-parents to a child with ADHD and facing financial hardship or unemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their bad patterns could be passed on to their children.
It's important for girls to get a diagnosis, because it will provide them with an understanding of their struggles and help them manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women report feeling confident after receiving a diagnosis. They are no longer being a victim of things they can't control. It can also help them 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 may worsen. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD because their symptoms may be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt daily routines, making her exhausted and irritable. She might feel like she cannot turn down people, causing her to be overwhelmed and resentful towards people who are around her. It could be difficult to organize her home and work life and this can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. Additionally, she could be more easily triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to react defensively and even lash out at the people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel a strong sense of when you are rejected, either real or perceived. You might be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative review from a coworker at work. Your brain's defense mechanisms naturally become over-stimulated, and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result can harm your self-esteem and relationships. There are also anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations as a result of sensitive to rejection.
Although it's often linked to ADHD Rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder may also be a cause for these symptoms.
People suffering from RSD may see events through an eye that makes them appear darker or dimmer than they really are. This could cause them to interpret and perceive things as being related to rejection even if they aren't. RSD can make you unable to control your emotions. This is why it is crucial to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage RSD.
Read the articles below to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the assistance of a mental healthcare professional. You can employ strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps change your negative thought patterns. You can also create a support network and practice mindfulness to reduce the chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD, so you can live a happier and more fulfilled life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, because they can cause more symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counsel to find out how to get out. This can lower the chance of experiencing feelings of rejection such as depression and anxiety. You can also boost your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident in your capabilities and provide an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This can result in sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Women who have high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment, which can negatively impact their relationships and wellbeing.
One study looked at adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those who did not suffer from the disorder. Iam Psychiatry were affected. This is probably due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can cause them to be more likely be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. The study revealed that females with adhd are more likely to indulge in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included bondage, submissive roles and sex with strangers. It was also common for them to attend sex clubs and parties.
Both males and females with adhd had a higher rate of infidelity than people without the disorder. This is due to their inability to control their impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This could also be because of their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey also asked participants to share their experiences with sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants to discuss their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale ranging between 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was utilized to assess sexual behavior between people who suffer from ADHD and those who do not.
These findings are significant due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of adults with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship problems, infidelity that begins at the onset of adulthood and adolescence and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD experience difficulties in their romantic relationships. Insufficient communication and misunderstandings triggered by signs such as forgetfulness and inattention can result in anger, frustration and conflict within a relationship. A supportive network of friends and family members who understand can be beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to note that people suffering from ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are often interrupted by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which could cause them to miss the main point of a conversation. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which could cause them to tune out conversations or do something else while other people are talking.
These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle where the person who isn't ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. They can then become more introverted, and the problem escalates from there.
Women who have high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of daily life. They might experience feelings of guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel like they're unable to keep up with their household chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sex desire.
It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD seek treatment and seek assistance. It is crucial 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 will come up with an action plan to meet their goals. The non-ADHD partner could take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and finishing the housework.
Both partners should also strive to improve communication and establish a routine, which includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times, and time to relax and rest. It is also essential to find ways to make things easier for both parties by splitting household chores, or outsourcing certain tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD like hiring an expert cleaning service or using apps to manage costs.