Why Is High Functioning ADHD In Women So Famous?
High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. The symptoms can become more severe during times of hormonal change such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies in order to cover their impairments and symptoms can delay referral.
This group of patients faces particular issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Lack of self-esteem
The emotional and social challenges that accompany ADHD can leave women feeling down. Even when they're successful, it's easy to feel like failing because of the things they cannot change. 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 with ADHD who are not treated are at a greater risk of having low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of depression, anxiety, and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at greater risk of being single-parents of a child with ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or underemployment. They're also more likely to be struggling with eating disorders, and their negative patterns can pass down to their children.
It's crucial that women receive a diagnosis because it will help them recognize their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel more at ease after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop blaming themselves for the little things they are unable to control. It can also help reframe their issues and help them focus on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and approach menopausal age, their hormone levels could change and ADHD symptoms may worsen. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the 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 a woman's daily routine, leaving her irritable and exhausted. She may feel she can't refuse to be around people which causes her to burden herself and become resentful of the people closest to her. It can be difficult organizing her work and home life, resulting in delayed appointments and lost documents. She may also be more easily triggered by rejection, which means she is more likely to react defensively and even lash out at the people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel intensely when you're being rejected, whether it is real or perceived. You might be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative feedback from a coworker at work. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are overwhelmed and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result could harm your self-esteem and relationships. Sensitivity to rejection can result in anxiety, depression and mood swings.
Although it's often attributed to ADHD The issue of rejection sensitiveness 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 disorders like borderline personality disorder could be a sign of these symptoms too.
RSD patients can see events through a filter, which makes them appear darker or brighter than they are. This can cause them to interpret things as rejection related, even if they aren't. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult managing your emotions and that's why it's important to develop healthy strategies for coping to manage this.
Read the articles below to learn more about rejection sensitivity.
While there is no cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can use coping techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also establish an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to lessen your chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and help you live a more positive and fulfilling life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, since they can worsen your symptoms. If you are in an abusive relationship, you should seek counseling to find out how you can get out. This will help reduce your risk of rejection-related feelings, such as depression and anxiety. You can also increase your self-esteem by focusing on developing healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities and provide a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions or risky behavior. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at a greater risk of experiencing these sexual issues than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can cause feelings of shame and guilt which may affect their relationships and wellbeing.
In one study, adults with ADHD were found to be more likely than those with ADHD to have adventurous sexual interest. Both genders were affected. This could be due to their higher levels of impulsivity which can make them more likely to act on their sexual desires and ideas. The study found that women who suffer from adhd are more likely to indulge in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive roles, bondage and sexing with strangers. They also went to sex events and clubs more often.
Both males and females with adhd had a higher rate of infidelity than people without the disorder. This was due their poor control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This was likely also a result of their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey asked respondents about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations without contraception. attention deficit disorder in women 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. This questionnaire consists of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The more high the score, the more symptoms are present. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behavior of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These results are important, because the psychosexual results for adults with ADHD were not studied as often. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have trouble in their romantic relationships. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings due to issues like forgetfulness and inattention can lead to anger, resentment, and even conflict within the relationship. A strong network of friends and family members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is important to remember that people with ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are easily distracted by their thoughts or their impulsive behavior that can result in them missing out on the primary purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to be struggling in multitasking which could cause them to become disengaged of conversations or perform other activities while others talk.
These struggles can result in a cycle where the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. The issue could escalate in the meantime as they become more withdrawn.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their lives. They may feel guilt or self-esteem issues due to their impulsive, unorganized behavior. They may feel like they cannot 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.
This is why it is vital for those with ADHD to develop a treatment plan and seek help. It is essential that those closest to them, especially spouses, learn more about ADHD 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 meet their goals. The non-ADHD partner can take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD would focus on organizing and completing housework.
Both partners should also work to improve their communication and create a routine, which includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times and time for relaxation and rest. It is also crucial to discover ways to make life easier for both of you for example, sharing household chores or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD, such as hiring an expert cleaning service or using apps to manage costs.