Why Is High Functioning ADHD In Women So Popular?
High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from high functioning adhd can be dissatisfied and often misunderstood by their relationships. The symptoms can be more severe in times of hormonal changes such as the premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.
Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies to mask their symptoms and impairments could delay referral.
This patient group has distinct problems that need to be considered when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
The emotional and social issues that come with ADHD can leave women feeling down. Even when they are successful, it is easy to feel like an failure due to things they cannot change. This can result in a vicious cycle where they feel constantly overwhelmed and never satisfied which can take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at greater chance of developing chronic low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a higher chance of anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at increased risk of single-parenting a child with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They are also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass their bad habits on to their children.
It is crucial for girls to get an accurate diagnosis because it will provide them with an understanding of their challenges and allow them to manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women say that they feel much more confident after receiving their diagnosis, allowing them to stop beating themselves up over the little things they are unable to control. It can also help them see their challenges as strengths and help them focus their attention on what matters most (Waite 2010,).
As women age and move towards menopausal age their hormone levels alter and ADHD symptoms can get worse. This can make it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated because they're often misdiagnosed as having anxiety or mood disorder, and their symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt the woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. It is possible that she isn't able to refuse people, leading her to feel overwhelmed and angry with those around her. It could be difficult to organize the work and home lives of her children which can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She may also be more easily triggered when she is rejected, making her more likely to lash out at people she loves.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity makes you feel very hurt when rejected. This could be real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or a negative comment from a colleague at work could trigger you. Your brain's defense mechanisms naturally become overwhelmed and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that result can harm your self-esteem and relationships. Rejection sensitivity can also cause anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations.
Rejection sensitivity, while often associated with 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 brighter or darker than they really are. This makes them more likely to perceive and interpret things as if they are related to rejection, even if they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a hard managing your emotions which is why it is important to have coping strategies that are healthy to handle this.
Check out the following articles to learn more about the sensitivity to rejection.
Although there isn't a cure for RSD but it is possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can use coping techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also establish a support network and practice mindfulness to lessen your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to live a more positive and fulfilled life. It is also important to avoid toxic relationships as they can cause symptoms to become worse. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counseling to discover how to get out. This can help you reduce your risk of rejection-related feelings, such as anxiety and depression. You can also boost your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will allow you to feel more confident in your abilities and give you an objective view of the world around you.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behavior. Women who have high functioning adhd may be at greater risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt, which can negatively impact their relationships and wellbeing.
One study surveyed 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. This was the case for both males and females. This could be due to their more impulsive levels, which makes them more likely to act on sexual desires and thoughts. The study found that women who have adhd are more likely to engage paraphilic fantasies and behavior. This included bondage, submissive roles and sexing with strangers. They also went to sex events and nightclubs more often.
Both women and men with adhd were more likely to be infidelity than those who did not have the disorder. This was due to their lack of control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. It could also be a result of their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relations that were not contraceptive. Table 6 provides the results of this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19), which asked participants about their problematic sexual behavior. This questionnaire is composed of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is evaluated on a 5-point scale ranging between 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was utilized to evaluate sexual behaviors between people with ADHD and those who do not.
These findings are important because the psychosexual outcomes of people with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been connected to sexual dysfunctions such as STI's and unwanted pregnancies, relationship problems, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD experience difficulties in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication, and miscommunication due to issues like forgetfulness and inattention can cause anger, resentment, and even conflict in the relationship. A supportive network of friends and family members who understand can be helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is important to remember, too, that people who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time listening. They can be interrupted easily by their impulsive behavior, or their own thoughts, which can cause them to miss the main point of the conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in multitasking and can cause them to become disengaged of conversations or engage in other activities while someone else talks.
These battles can create an unending cycle where the person who is not ADHD becomes overwhelmed with stress and resentment and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. The issue can get worse in the meantime as they become more isolated.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by their daily demands. browse this site may experience low self-esteem or shame because of their impulsive, unorganized behavior. Or they might feel like they cannot manage their bills and chores. They may also have mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and a lack of sexual desire.
For these reasons, it is essential for those suffering from ADHD to establish a treatment plan and seek out help. It is also crucial for family members particularly spouses to understand the disorder and how it affects their loved one. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. adhd symptoms in women can then develop a plan to meet their goals. The non-ADHD partner could assume more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and completing the chores at home.
Both partners should also strive to improve communication and establish a routine that includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times and time for relaxation and rest. It is important to find ways to make things easier for both of you, like dividing household tasks or outsourcing certain tasks which are challenging for people with ADHD.