High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe in periods of hormonal changes, like premenstrual and pregnancy periods.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies in order to cover their symptoms and impairments could delay the time for referral.
This group of patients faces distinct issues which must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when add in adult women to feel like a failure for things they cannot control. This can create a vicious cycle where they feel constantly overwhelmed and never satisfied, which can be detrimental to their mental health and self-esteem.
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're at an higher risk of having a single parent for children with ADHD, financial crises and 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 get an accurate diagnosis because it will give them a better understanding of their struggles and enable them to manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women report feeling more confident after receiving the diagnosis. They are no longer berating themselves over things they can't control. It can also help them reframe their issues and help them focus on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and approach menopause their hormone levels may change, and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It is often difficult to identify and treat women with ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be mistakenly diagnosed 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. Symptoms may interfere with women's daily routines, leaving her irritable and exhausted. She may feel she can't say no to people which causes her to burden herself and feel resentful towards those close to her. It could be difficult to organize the work and home lives of her children and this can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She may also be more easily triggered by rejection, therefore she's more likely to be defensive and snap at those she is in love with.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that makes you feel extremely when you are rejected, either real or perceived. You could be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative comment from a colleague at work. Your brain's defense mechanisms naturally become over-stimulated and the thoughts emotions, feelings, and beliefs that result could harm your relationships and self-esteem. You may also experience anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations as a result of sensitive to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, although often linked to ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain processes emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder may also be a cause for these symptoms.
People with RSD might see events through a filter that makes them appear darker or dimmer than they actually are. This can cause them to interpret things as rejection-related, even when they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult time regulating your emotions and that's why it's important to have healthy coping strategies to manage this.
Check out the following articles to find out more about rejection sensitivity.
Although there is no cure for RSD it is possible to treat symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can use coping techniques like cognitive behavior therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also build a support network and practice mindfulness to lessen your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This will aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more satisfying and happier life. Avoid toxic relationships, because they can cause more symptoms. If you are in a abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how you can safely quit. This can reduce your risk of experiencing feelings of rejection like depression and anxiety. You can also increase your self-esteem by building healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident about your abilities, and will 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 can cause sexual dysfunctions or risky sexual behaviors. Women with high functioning adhd may be at greater risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can result in feelings of guilt and shame which can have a negative effect on their relationships as well as their overall health.
One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those without the disorder. Both males and women were affected. This is likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity, which could make them more likely to act on sexual desires and thoughts. The study found that females who suffer from adhd are more likely to indulge in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included bondage, submissive roles, and sex with strangers. They also went to sex parties and more clubs.
Both males and females with adhd had a higher rate of infidelity than those who did not have the disorder. This is due to their weak impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. This was likely also because of their higher rates of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by their partners. The survey asked participants to describe their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire from participants about their sexual issues. The questionnaire consists of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a five-point scale between 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The more high the score, the more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behaviours of adults with and without ADHD.
These findings are significant, because the psychosexual results for adults with ADHD were rarely studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, like STI's, unwanted pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviours.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have issues with their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication and miscommunication caused by signs such as forgetfulness and inattention could cause anger, frustration, and conflict within relationships. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a supportive network of friends and family members who understand.
It is also important to note that people with ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior that can result in them missing out on the main point of a discussion. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which can lead them to shut out conversations or perform other tasks while other people are talking.
These struggles can result in an unbalanced relationship where the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with anger and stress, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood, and defensive. They may then become more introverted and the situation can get worse from there.
Women with 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 not able to handle their bills and chores. They can also suffer from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection, as well as low sexual drive.
It is important that those with ADHD seek treatment and seek out help. It is also important for family members particularly spouses to learn more about the condition and how it affects their loved one. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can develop a plan to achieve their goals. The non-ADHD partner could take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and completing housework.
Both partners should work to improve their communication and create an established routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It is important to find ways to make things easier for both partners, such dividing household tasks or outsourcing some of those that are difficult for someone with ADHD.