High Functioning ADHD in Women

Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes like the premenstrual or pregnancy cycles.

Many girls and women use compensatory strategies to masking their symptoms and impairments which may delay the time until referral.

This patient group has distinct challenges which must be taken into account when treating them.

1. Insecurities about self-esteem

The social and emotional challenges associated with ADHD can cause women to feel low. Even when they are successful, it's easy to feel like they're a failure because of things they aren't able to change. This can create an unending cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never good enough which can take a toll on their mental health and self-esteem.

Girls who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at a higher risk for chronic low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a higher chance of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. As adults, they're at increased risk of single-parenting children with ADHD and financial difficulties, as well as underemployment. They're also more likely to be struggling with eating disorders, and their bad patterns can pass down to their children.

It is essential that girls receive a diagnosis since it will help them better understand their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel more at ease after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop blaming themselves for the little things they are unable to control. It helps them to see their difficulties as strengths and help them focus their attention on the things that matter most (Waite, 2010).

As women age and enter menopause their hormone levels may change, and adhd in men and women symptoms may worsen. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD because their symptoms may be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".

Untreated adult ADHD can have a devastating impact on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms can interfere with everyday routines, leaving them frustrated and exhausted. She may feel she can't refuse to be around people, leading her to overburden herself and become resentful of those close to her. It could be difficult to organize her work and home life which can lead to missing appointments and lost files. Additionally, she could be more easily triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to be defensive and snap at those she loves.

2. Rejection Sensitivity

Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel extremely hurt when you are rejected. This could be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or an unkind comment from a coworker at work could trigger you. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms become over-stimulated and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result can harm your relationships and self-esteem. You may also experience depression, anxiety, and mood changes due to sensitive to rejection.

Although it's often linked to ADHD Rejection sensitiveness is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation, which affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder can also be a cause for these symptoms.

RSD patients can see events through a filter, making them appear darker or brighter than they actually are. This could cause people to interpret things as being related to rejection even if they aren't. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult to control your emotions which is why it is important to develop healthy strategies for coping to manage this.

Read the articles below to learn more about the sensitivity to rejection.

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 change your negative thinking patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and create a network of support to lessen your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and help you lead a more pleasant and fulfilling life. Avoid toxic relationships since they can worsen your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek counsel to find out how to get out. This will help lessen the risk of having rejection-related feelings, such as anxiety and depression. You can also boost your self-esteem by focusing on developing healthy relationships. This will allow you to feel more confident about your abilities and provide you with an unbiased view of the world around you.

3. Sexuality

ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at greater risk of experiencing these sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt which may affect their relationships and well-being.

One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and discovered 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 makes them more likely to act on sexual desires and ideas. The study revealed that females who suffer from adhd are more likely to engage sexual fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles, bondage, and sex with strangers. They also went to sex parties and more clubs.

Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely be infidelity than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was due to lack of impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This was likely also due to their higher rates of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with extra-partner sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without the use of contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.

The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants about their problematic sexual behaviors. This questionnaire is composed of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using a five-point scale, ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behavior of adults with and without ADHD.

These results are important because the psychosexual outcomes for adults with ADHD were rarely studied. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions such as STI's and unwanted pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.

4. Relationships

Many people who have high functioning inattentive adhd in women have trouble in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings triggered by symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention could lead to frustration, anger and conflict in relationships. A strong network of friends and family members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships.

It is also important to note that people with ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are easily interrupted by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which may cause them to lose the purpose of the conversation. People with ADHD might also have difficulty multitasking, which can cause them to tune out conversations or do something else while someone else is talking.

These battles can create a vicious cycle in which the partner who is not ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD person feels untrusted. They can then become more introverted 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 shame and [empty] low self-esteem because of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel that they can't keep up with their chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings and rejection sensitivity and low sexual drive.

Because of this, it is crucial for people who suffer from ADHD to establish a treatment plan and seek out help. It is also important for those close to them particularly spouses, to be aware of the condition and how it affects their loved ones. They can collaborate to establish clear expectations and boundaries and then formulate an action plan to can achieve those objectives. For instance the partner who is not ADHD could be more involved in the financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD may be more focused on organizing and completing housework.

Both partners must work to improve their communication and create a routine, which includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times, and time to relax and rest. It's important to find ways to simplify things for both of you, like dividing household tasks or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for someone with adhd with women.