High Functioning ADHD In Women: The Secret Life Of High Functioning ADHD In Women

High Functioning ADHD in Women

Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. The symptoms can become more severe during times of hormonal change like the pre-menstrual period and pregnancy.

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

This group of patients has a unique set of problems that must be taken into account when treating them.

1. Insecurities about self-esteem

Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even when they are successful, it is easy to feel like they're a failure because of things they cannot change. This can result in an unending cycle of feeling overwhelmed and not good enough. This can have a negative effect on their mental health.

Girls with untreated ADHD are at higher risk of chronic low self-esteem, anxiety, teen pregnancy depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at higher risk of having a single parent for children with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely to be struggling with eating disorders, and their unhealthy habits can be passed on to their children.

It's important for girls to receive a diagnosis, because it will give them an understanding of their challenges and help them manage their symptoms more efficiently.  adhd traits in women  say that they feel more confident 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 reframe their issues and help them focus on what is important (Waite 2010).

As women mature and approach menopausal, their hormone levels change, and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD because their symptoms may be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".

Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with friends and family. The symptoms can disrupt daily routines, making her feeling exhausted and angry. She may feel that she cannot turn down people, causing her to be overwhelmed and resentful of those who are around her. She might 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 easily triggered by rejection which means she is more likely to react defensively and snap at those she loves.

2. Rejection Sensitivity

Rejection sensitivity makes you feel extremely when you're rejected, whether real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or a negative comment from a colleague at work can trigger your symptoms. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated and result in thoughts, feelings and beliefs that can affect your self-esteem and relationships. The sensitivity to rejection can also result in 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 seen in other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).

People with RSD might see events through filters that make them appear darker or less than they actually are. This can cause people to interpret things as being related to rejection, even though they're not. RSD can cause you to be incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage RSD.

Learn more about rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:

Although 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 create an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to lessen your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you overcome your RSD so that you can live a more fulfilling and happier life. Avoid relationships that are toxic, since they can worsen your symptoms. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counseling to learn how to get out. This can lower the chance of feeling depressed and anxious such as depression and anxiety. You can also increase your self-esteem by focusing on building healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident about your abilities and give an objective view of life.

3. Sexuality

ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This can result in sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at higher risk of having sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also cause feelings of guilt and shame, which can have a negative effect on their relationships and overall well-being.

In one study, adults with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to exhibit a sexual interest. Both males and women were affected. This is probably due to the higher levels of impulsivity that can make them more likely act on their sexual ideas and desires. The study found that females who suffer from adhd are more likely to indulge in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive role-play and bondage as well as sex with strangers. They also attended sex parties and more clubs.

Females and males with adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than people without the disorder. This was due to poor impulse control and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. This was likely also because of their higher rates of anxiety and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relationships without contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.

The study also used the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants to describe their sexual issues. The questionnaire comprises 19 items, and is divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using 5 points, ranging from 1 (never to 5 (very frequently)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used to evaluate the sexual behaviours of adults with and without ADHD.

These results are important because the psychosexual results for adults with ADHD have not been studied extensively. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior.

4. Relationships

Many people who have high functioning ADHD have issues with their romantic relationships. A lack of clear communication, and miscommunication due to issues like forgetfulness and inattention can result in anger, resentment and even conflict in the relationship. A supportive network of family and friends members who can understand is helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.

It is important to remember, too, that people with ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily interrupted by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which may cause them to miss the point of an exchange. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle in multitasking and can cause them to become disengaged of conversations or engage in other activities while someone else is talking.

These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle where the partner who is not ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. They can then withdraw, and the problem escalates from there.

Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their lives. They may experience low self-esteem or shame due to their impulsive and disorganized behavior. Or they might feel like they cannot manage their obligations and bills. They might also be suffering from mood swings and rejection sensitivity and low sexual drive.

It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek out help. It is also essential for their family members, especially spouses, to understand the condition and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to establish clear boundaries and expectations and then formulate an action plan to will meet those goals. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD would focus on organizing and completing the chores at home.

Both partners should also work to improve their communication and create a routine, which includes regular eating patterns, sleeping times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to find ways to make things easier for both of you, like dividing household tasks or outsourcing some of those that are difficult for a person with ADHD.