High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd experience frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during times of hormonal change, like the pre-menstrual period and pregnancy.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies to hide their impairments and symptoms can delay referral.
This group of patients has distinct challenges which must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when they're successful and have a good time, it's easy for them to feel like a failure for things they cannot control. This can create an unending cycle where they are constantly overwhelmed and never good enough, which can take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at a higher risk of having low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of depression, anxiety and abuse of substances. As adults, they're at higher risk of having a single parent for a child with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their unhealthy patterns could be passed on to their children.
It is essential that women receive a diagnosis since it will allow them to better recognize their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling confident after receiving the diagnosis. They can stop berating themselves over things they aren't able to control. It can also help them reframe their problems and refocus them on the things that matter (Waite 2010).
As women age and approach menopausal, their hormone levels can change, and ADHD symptoms could worsen. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be incorrectly identified and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating impacts on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with family and friends. The symptoms can affect a woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. She might feel that she is unable to say no to anyone which causes her to burden herself and become resentful of those close to her. She might find it difficult to manage the work and home lives of her children, leading to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She can also be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to be defensive and lash out at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel a strong sense of when you are rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or an insult from a colleague at work can trigger your symptoms. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms become over-stimulated, and the thoughts and feelings that result can hurt your self-esteem and relationships. Rejection sensitivity can also lead to depression, anxiety and mood swings.
Rejection sensitivity, which is often linked to ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain processes emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health disorders like borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, making them appear darker or brighter than they actually are. This could cause them to interpret things as being related to rejection, even if they aren't. RSD can cause you to be in a state of being unable to control your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping strategies to manage RSD.
Learn more about rejection sensitivity by reading these articles:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to treat symptoms with the help of a mental healthcare professional. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavior therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and build a community of support to reduce your chance of experiencing negative reactions to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and help you lead a more pleasant and fulfilled life. It is also essential to avoid toxic relationships as they can make your symptoms worse. If you're in an abusive relationship, get counsel to find out the best way to leave. adhd women uk can reduce your risk of rejection-related feelings, such as depression and anxiety. You can also increase your self-esteem by focusing on creating healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident about your capabilities and provide an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Women who have high functioning adhd might be more at risk of developing sexual problems. These behaviors can cause feelings of shame and guilt, which can affect their relationships and overall well-being.
In one study, those with ADHD were found to be more likely than those with ADHD to exhibit a sexual interest. Both genders were affected. This could be due to their more impulsive levels, which can make them more likely to act on sexual desires and ideas. Particularly, the study revealed that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviours. This included bondage, submissive roles and sexing with strangers. They also went to sex parties and nightclubs more often.
Both men and women with adhd were more likely to be in a relationship than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This is due to their weak impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. This could also be because of their higher rates of anxiety and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey also asked participants to report their experiences with extra-partner sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without use of contraception. Table 6 provides 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 is comprised of 19 items that are grouped into three subscales. Each item is rated 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 behaviors of adults with and without ADHD.
These findings are significant, because the psychosexual outcomes for adults with ADHD were rarely studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as unwanted pregnancy and STIs, relationship dissatisfaction, adult-onset infidelity as well as dangerous sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their romantic relationships. A lack of clear communication, and miscommunication caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can cause frustration, resentment, and a conflict within the relationship. A strong network of friends and family members who understand can be beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships.
adhd in women uk is important to remember that those who suffer from ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior that can cause them to miss out on the primary purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which could cause them to mute conversations or perform other tasks while someone else is talking.
These struggles can result in a cycle where the non-ADHD partner becomes overwrought with anger and stress and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood, and defensive. They may then withdraw and the situation can get worse from there.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by their everyday demands. They may feel guilt or self-esteem issues due to their impulsive, chaotic behavior. It is also possible that they feel like they cannot manage their chores and bills. They can also suffer from mood swings and rejection sensitivity as well as low sexual drive.
It is important that those with ADHD find a treatment and seek out help. It is also important for those close to them, especially spouses, to understand the condition and how it affects their loved ones. They can collaborate to establish the right expectations and boundaries, then come up with an action plan to will achieve their objectives. For example the partner who is not ADHD could be more involved in the financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD may be more focused on the task of organizing and finishing housework.
Both partners must work to improve their communication and establish a routine, which includes regular schedules for sleeping, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to find ways to simplify things for both partners, such sharing household chores or outsource some of those that are difficult for someone with ADHD.
