5 Qualities That People Are Looking For In Every High Functioning ADHD In Women
High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during times of hormonal change, like the pre-menstrual period and pregnancy.
Many women and girls use compensatory strategies to concealing their impairments and symptoms which may delay the time to referral.
This patient group faces a unique set issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're failing because of the things they cannot change. This can result in an endless feeling of being overwhelmed and inadequate. This can have a negative impact on their mental health.
Girls who aren't treated for ADHD are at greater risk of developing chronic low self-esteem, anxiety, teen pregnancy, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at an increased risk of single-parenting children with ADHD and financial problems, as well as underemployment. They're also more likely than other people to suffer from eating disorders and pass their bad habits on to their children.
It's crucial for girls to receive an accurate diagnosis because it will provide them with an understanding of their issues and allow them to manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women say 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 struggles as strengths and refocus their attention on what matters most (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopause the hormone levels of their bodies change, and ADHD symptoms can get worse. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD because their symptoms may be incorrectly identified and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms may interfere with the woman's daily routine, leaving her irritable and exhausted. She may feel she can't say no to anyone, leading her to overburden herself and become resentful of people close to her. It can be difficult organizing her home and work life, which leads to missed appointments and lost documents. She can also be more easily triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to react defensively and even lash out at the people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel very hurt when rejected. This can be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a coworker at work could trigger you. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can harm your relationships and self esteem. Rejection sensitivity can also cause anxiety, depression and mood swings.
Rejection sensitivity, which is often linked to ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health issues such as borderline personality disorder can also be a cause for these symptoms.
People suffering from RSD may view events through a filter that makes them appear darker or dimmer than they actually are. This can cause them to interpret things as being related to rejection, even if they aren't. RSD can also cause you to have a hard to control your emotions and that's why it is important to have healthy coping strategies to manage this.
Read the articles below to learn 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 employ coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps change your negative thinking patterns. You can also establish an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to lower the chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD, so you can live a more positive and fulfilled life. It is also essential to avoid relationships that are toxic as they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you are in a abusive relationship, you should seek counseling to find out how you can leave. This can reduce your risk of experiencing feelings of rejection, such anxiety and depression. You can also boost your self-esteem by focusing on building healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident about your capabilities and provide an objective view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can result in sexual dysfunctions or risky behaviors. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at higher risk of developing these sexual problems than non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also trigger feelings of guilt and embarrassment which may negatively impact their relationships and wellbeing.
One study looked at adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those without the disorder. Both genders were affected. This could be due to the higher levels of impulsivity that can make them more likely be influenced by sexual ideas and desires. In particular, the study showed that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and behaviours. This included submissive role-play, bondage and sex with strangers. It was also more common for them to go to sexual clubs and parties.
Females and males with adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than those who did not have the disorder. This was due to their poor impulse control, alcohol disinhibition and sensation-seeking. treatment for adhd in women could also be a result of their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey also asked participants to report their experiences with extra-partner sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without contraception. Table 6 presents the results from this section.
The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which surveyed participants about their sexual issues. This questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on 5 points, ranging between 1 (never to 5) (very frequently)). The higher the score, the more symptoms are present. The HBI-19 was developed in order to evaluate sexual behaviors between adults with ADHD and those who do not.
These results are important, because the psychosexual results for adults with ADHD were rarely studied. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions like STI's, unwanted pregnancies, relationship dissatisfaction, adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people with high functioning ADHD have difficulties in their romantic relationships. A lack of communication, and misunderstandings due to issues like inattention and forgetfulness can result in anger, resentment and even conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a network of family and friends who can understand.
It is also important to remember that people suffering from ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior, which can result in them missing out on the main point of a discussion. People with ADHD are more likely to be struggling with multitasking as well which could cause them to tune out of conversations or engage in other activities while someone else talks.
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. The problem can escalate in the meantime as they become more withdrawn.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their daily demands. They may feel guilt or self-esteem issues because of their impulsive, unorganized behavior. They may find themselves struggling to keep up with their bills and chores. They might also experience mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and low sexual desire.
It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD seek treatment and seek out help. It is also essential for family members particularly spouses, to understand the disorder and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they will come up with an action plan to meet their goals. For example, the non-ADHD partner might take on more of the financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD might focus on the task of organizing and finishing housework.
In addition, both parties must work together to communicate more effectively and clearly, and establish a routine that incorporates regular sleep patterns, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It's important to discover ways to make things easier for both partners, such sharing household chores or outsource some of those that are difficult for a person with ADHD.