High Functioning ADHD in Women

Women with adhd that are high functioning are unhappy and are often misunderstood in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe during periods of hormonal changes, like premenstrual and pregnancy periods.

Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies, hiding their impairments and symptoms which may delay the time to referral.

This patient group faces particular issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.

1. Lack of self-esteem

Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when they're successful it's easy to feel like a failure for things they aren't able to control. This can result in an unending cycle where they feel constantly overwhelmed and never quite good enough and can affect their self-esteem and mental health.

Girls with ADHD who aren't treated are at a higher risk for chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a higher chance of depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at increased risk of single-parenting children with ADHD and financial problems, as well as underemployment. They're also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and pass on their bad habits to their children.

It's crucial for girls to receive an accurate diagnosis because it will give them an understanding of their challenges and enable them to manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women report that they feel more empowered after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop blaming themselves for the little things they are unable to manage. It can also help them see their challenges as strengths and refocus their focus on what is important most (Waite 2010).

As women age and move towards menopause their hormone levels may change and ADHD symptoms could worsen. This can make it harder to diagnose and treated because they're often misdiagnosed as 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 women's self-esteem and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can affect daily routines, leaving her frustrated and exhausted. She may feel she can't say no to people and end up overburdened herself and become angry with those close to her. She may 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 even lash out at the people she likes.

2. Rejection Sensitivity

Rejection sensitivity is a condition that makes you feel extremely when you're being rejected, whether real or perceived. You might be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative feedback from a colleague at work. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated and result in thoughts and feelings that could harm your relationships and self esteem. You may also experience anxiety, depression and mood changes due to rejection sensitivity.

Rejection sensitivity, although typically associated with ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be seen in other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).

RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, which makes them appear brighter or darker than they actually are. This can cause them to interpret and interpret events as being related to rejection, even though they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a harder managing your emotions which is why it's important to develop healthy strategies for coping to deal with this.

Check out the following articles to learn more about the sensitivity to rejection.

Although there isn't a cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the assistance of a mental health professional. You can use coping techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also establish an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to lower your chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD, so you can lead a more pleasant and fulfilled life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, because they can cause more symptoms. If you're in an abusive relationship, get counseling to discover the best method to leave. This can reduce your risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, such anxiety and depression. By focusing on healthy relationships, you can improve your self-esteem. This will allow you to feel more confident about your abilities and give you a more realistic perspective on 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 behavior. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at higher risk of developing these sexual problems than their non-adhd adult women test counterparts. These behaviors can also trigger feelings of guilt and embarrassment which may negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being.

In one study, adults with ADHD were found to be more likely than those with ADHD to have adventurous sexual curiosity. This was the case for both males and females. This is likely due to their more impulsive levels, which makes them more likely to act on sexual desires and thoughts. Particularly, the study revealed that women with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles play, bondage and sex with strangers. It was also more typical for them to go to sex clubs and parties.

Both women and men with adhd were more likely be infidelity than those who didn't have the attention deficit disorder in women. This was due to poor impulse control and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. It could also be because of their higher rates of insecurity and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey asked respondents about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations that were not contraceptive. Table 6 outlines the results from this section.

The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants to describe their problematic sexual behaviors. This questionnaire consists of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using 5 points, ranging from 1 (never to 5) (very often)). The higher the score, more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behavior of adults with and without ADHD.

These findings are important because the psychosexual experiences of people with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship problems, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.

4. Relationships

Many people who have high functioning ADHD experience difficulties in their romantic relationships. Lack of clear communication and miscommunication caused by symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness may result in anger, frustration, and conflict within relationships. A supportive network of friends and family members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.

It is crucial to keep in mind that people who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors, which could result in them missing out on the main 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 another person is talking.

These conflicts can lead to an unbalanced relationship where the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood, and defensive. They can then become more introverted, and the problem escalates from there.

Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by the demands of their lives. They may experience shame or low self-esteem because of their impulsive, chaotic behavior. It is also possible that they feel like they cannot manage their obligations and bills. They may also experience mood swings and rejection sensitivity, as well as low sex drive.

It is crucial that people with ADHD seek treatment and seek out help. It is also important for their family members particularly spouses, to be aware of the disorder and how it affects their loved one. They can work together to establish clear expectations and boundaries, then come up with an action plan to can achieve those goals. For instance, the non-undiagnosed adhd in adult women partner might be more involved in the financial responsibility, while the person with ADHD might focus on completing chores and organizing the house.

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 for relaxation and rest. It is important to find ways to simplify things for both of you, like dividing household tasks or outsourcing some of those that are difficult for a person with ADHD.