10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From High Functioning ADHD In Women

High Functioning ADHD in Women

Women with high functioning adhd experience frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. Symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes, such as the premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.

Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to mask their symptoms and impairments could delay the time for referral.

This patient group has a unique set of challenges that must be considered when treating them.

1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.

Women can be depressed due to the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even when they're successful, it is easy to feel like failing because of the things they cannot change. This can create an endless feeling of being overwhelmed and unsatisfied. This can have a negative effect on their mental health.

Girls with ADHD who are not treated are at a higher risk of having low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at higher risk of having a single parent for a child with ADHD and financial problems, as well as 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 assessment, as it will give them a better understanding of their issues and allow them to manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women say that they feel much more confident after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to not be a victim of the little things they can't control. It can also help them reframe their challenges as strengths and refocus their focus on what is important most (Waite, 2010).

As women age and approach menopausal, their hormone levels can change, and ADHD symptoms may worsen. It is often difficult to identify and treat people suffering from ADHD as their symptoms could 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 self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends.  add symptoms in women  can affect daily routines, leaving her exhausted and irritable. She may feel she can't say no to anyone which causes her to burden herself and become resentful of the people closest to her. She might find it difficult to manage her work and home life, leading to missed appointments and lost files. She could be more prone to being triggered when she is rejected, making her more likely to lash out at people she likes.

2. Rejection Sensitivity

The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel extremely hurt when you are rejected. It could be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a colleague at work could trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are triggered, resulting in thoughts or feelings, and beliefs that can affect your self-esteem and relationships. Sensitivity to rejection can lead to depression, anxiety and mood fluctuations.

Rejection sensitivity, which is often associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. Other mental health issues such as borderline personality disorder could also be a cause for these symptoms.

RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, which makes them appear brighter or darker than they really are. This causes them to interpret things as rejection-related, even when they are not. RSD can cause you to be in a state of being unable to control your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping strategies to deal with RSD.

You can learn more about the issue of rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:

Although there isn't a cure for RSD however, you can manage your symptoms with the help of an expert in mental health. You can utilize coping techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also develop mindfulness and build a community of support to lessen your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This can aid you in overcoming your RSD so that you can live a more satisfying and happier life. Avoid toxic relationships as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek out counseling to learn how to safely get out. This can reduce your risk of rejection-related feelings, such as depression and anxiety. You can also improve your self-esteem by focusing on developing healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident in your abilities and give an honest view of life.

3. Sexuality

ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviors. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at a higher risk of having sexual problems than non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can result in feelings of shame and guilt which can have a negative effect on the quality of their relationships as well as their overall health.

One study surveyed adults suffering from ADHD and found that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those without the disorder. Both males and women were affected. This is likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity which could make them more likely to act on sexual desires and thoughts. In particular, the study showed that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles play and bondage as well as sexual contact with strangers. It was also common for them to attend sex clubs and parties.

Both males and females with adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than those without the disorder. This is due to their poor impulse control and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. This was likely also a result of their higher rates of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without contraception. Table 6 outlines the results for this section.

The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants to describe their problematic sexual behaviors. This questionnaire consists of 19 items that are grouped into three subscales. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, from 1 (never to 5 (very often)). The higher the score, more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used to compare the sexual behavior of people with and without ADHD.

These results are important, since the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD were not studied as often. They have been linked with sexual dysfunctions like STIs and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction, adult-onset infidelity as well as risky sexual behavior.

4. Relationships

Many people who have high functioning ADHD experience difficulties in their relationships with loved ones. A lack of communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as forgetfulness and inattention can result in anger, resentment, and even conflict within the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be assisted by a supportive network of family and friends who can understand.

It is also important to note that those with ADHD are often unable to listen. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors which can cause them to miss out on the central purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which could cause them to shut out conversations or perform other tasks while another person is talking.

These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle in which the person who is not ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD person feels untrusted. The issue could escalate from there as they become more distant.

Women with high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their everyday demands.  adhd symptoms for women  may feel shame and low self-esteem because of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel as if they can't keep up with their household chores and bills. They may also have mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sex desire.

It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD seek treatment and seek help. It is also important for those close to them particularly spouses to understand the condition and how it affects their loved one. They can work together to establish clear expectations and boundaries and then formulate a plan of how they can achieve those goals. For instance, the non-ADHD partner might assume more financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD might focus on completing chores and organizing the house.

Both partners should 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 make things easier for both of you, like sharing household chores or outsource some of those which are challenging for people with ADHD.