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 miscommunication in their relationships. The symptoms can become more severe during periods of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Many girls and women are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, hiding their impairments and symptoms which may delay the time to referral.
This group of patients has a unique set issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Insecurity about oneself
Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're an failure due to things they aren't able to change. This can result in an endless cycle of feeling like they feel overwhelmed and never good enough which can be detrimental to their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls with ADHD who aren't treated are at a higher chance of developing chronic low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. As adults, they are at greater risk of being single-parents of a child with ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or unemployment. They're also more likely than other people to suffer from eating disorders and to pass their bad habits onto their children.
It's essential that women receive a diagnosis because it will help them better comprehend their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel much more confident after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop blaming themselves for the small things they cannot control. It can also help them reframe their difficulties as strengths and help them focus their attention on the things that matter most (Waite 2010,).
As women age and move towards menopausal, their hormone levels can 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 mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on women's self-esteem and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can affect everyday routines, leaving them frustrated and exhausted. She might feel like she can't refuse people, which causes her to be overwhelmed and resentful towards those who are around her. She may find it difficult to manage her home and work life which can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. Additionally, she could be more easily triggered by rejection, therefore she's more likely to be defensive and lash out at people she is in love with.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel a strong sense of when you're being rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or a negative comment from a colleague at work can trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated, resulting in thoughts and feelings that could harm your relationships and self esteem. You may also experience anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.
Rejection sensitivity, although often associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be observed in other mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients can see events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they really are. This could cause people 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 crucial to develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with RSD.
Read the articles below to learn more about rejection sensitivity.
While there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the help of a mental healthcare professional. You can employ coping strategies such as cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also practice mindfulness and build a network of support to lessen the chance of having negative reactions to rejection. This can aid you in overcoming your RSD so that you can live a more satisfying and happier life. It is also important to stay clear of toxic relationships since they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek out counseling to discover the best way to leave. This can reduce your risk of feeling depressed and anxious, such anxiety and depression. By focusing on healthy relationships and relationships, you can boost your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and provide you with an unbiased view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This can result in sexual dysfunctions or risky behavior. Women with high functioning adhd might be more at risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can result in feelings of guilt and shame, which can have a negative effect on the quality of their relationships and overall well-being.
One study looked at adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those who did not suffer from the disorder. Both males and women were affected. This was likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity, which could make them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and ideas. In particular, the study showed that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and actions. This included submissive role play bondage, sex with strangers. It was also more typical for them to attend sex clubs and parties.
Both women and men who suffer from adhd were more likely to be infidelity than those who didn't have the disorder. adhd in older women was due to inability to control their impulses, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. This is likely due to their higher levels of insecurity and a feeling of being misunderstood or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations that were not contraceptive. Table 6 provides the results from this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants to discuss their sexual issues. The questionnaire consists of 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using 5 points, ranging from 1 (never to 5 (very frequently)). adhd in women treatment , the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behavior of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These results are important, since the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD were rarely studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have issues in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication, and miscommunication caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can lead to anger, resentment, and conflict within the relationship. A strong network of friends and family members who can understand is helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to note that people with ADHD are often unable to listen. They are often interrupted by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which could cause them to miss the main point of an exchange. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle in multitasking which could cause them to tune out of conversations or perform other things while someone else is talking.
These struggles can lead to an unending cycle where the partner who is not ADHD is overwhelmed with stress and resentment and the ADHD person feels untrusted. They then tend to withdraw and the issue can escalate from there.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by their daily demands. They may feel shame or low self-esteem due to their impulsive and chaotic behavior. Or women and adhd might find themselves struggling to manage their bills and chores. They may also feel mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and low sex desire.
This is why it is vital for those suffering from ADHD to find a treatment plan and seek out help. It is also essential for family members particularly spouses, to understand the condition and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to set the right expectations and boundaries and then formulate a plan of how they will achieve their goals. The non-ADHD partner can assume more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD would focus on organizing and finishing the housework.
Additionally, both partners must work together to communicate more efficiently and clearly and establish a regular routine that incorporates regular sleep patterns, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It is important to discover ways to make things easier for both of you, like sharing household chores or outsource some of those which are challenging for people with ADHD.