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

High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to discontent and confusion in their relationships. The symptoms can become more severe during times of hormonal change, such as the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to hide their symptoms and impairments could delay referral.
This patient group faces specific problems that must be taken into account when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
The emotional and social challenges associated with ADHD can leave women feeling down. Even when they're successful it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they cannot control. This can create an unending cycle where they feel overwhelmed and never quite good enough and can affect their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls with untreated ADHD are at greater risk of chronic low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're at greater risk of being the sole parent to 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 onto their children.
It's crucial for girls to receive an accurate diagnosis because it will provide them with a better understanding of their issues and allow them to manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving the diagnosis. adhd symptoms women can stop getting angry about things they cannot control. It helps them to see their challenges as strengths and refocus their attention on what matters most (Waite, 2010).
As women age and move towards menopause their hormone levels may change, and ADHD symptoms may worsen. This makes it more difficult for them to be identified and treated, as they're often misdiagnosed as having anxiety or mood disorder and the symptoms are dismissed as "hormonal" or "that time of the month."
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on women's self-esteem as well as relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect the woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. She might feel like she can't refuse people, which causes her to be overwhelmed and resentful towards people who are around her. She may find it difficult organizing her home and work life, which leads to missing appointments and documents getting lost. She may be more easily triggered when she is rejected which makes her more likely to snap at those she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel intensely when you're rejected, either real or perceived. You might be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative comment from a coworker at work. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts and feelings that can harm your self-esteem and relationships. Sensitivity to rejection can result in anxiety, depression and mood shifts.
While it's often associated with ADHD The issue of rejection sensitivity is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation that affects the way your brain manages emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder may also be a cause for these symptoms.
RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, which makes them appear brighter or darker than they are. This can cause them to interpret things as rejection related, even though they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a hard to control your emotions, which is why it's important to have healthy coping strategies to handle this.
Learn more about the sensitivity to rejection by reading the following articles:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD it is possible to manage symptoms with the help of a mental healthcare professional. You can utilize coping techniques like cognitive behavior therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also establish an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to lower your chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more satisfying and happier life. It is also important to avoid toxic relationships as they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you are in a abusive relationship, seek out counseling to find out how you can leave. This can lessen the risk of having rejection-related feelings, such as depression and anxiety. By focusing on relationships that are healthy that you are in, you will increase your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident about your capabilities and provide a realistic perspective on life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviours. Women with high functioning adhd might be more at risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can also result in feelings of shame and guilt which can have a negative impact on the quality of their relationships as well as their overall health.
In one study, those with ADHD were found to be more likely than those without ADHD to exhibit a sexual curiosity. This was the case for both males and females. This is likely due to the higher levels of impulsivity that can cause them to be more likely to act on sexual thoughts and desires. The study revealed that females with adhd are more likely to indulge in sexual fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles, bondage, and sex with strangers. They also attended sex parties and more clubs.
Both women and men with adhd were more likely to be in a relationship than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was due to their lack of control of their impulses and alcohol withdrawal. This is probably due to their greater levels of anxiety, and feeling misunderstood or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey asked respondents about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 provides the results from this section.
The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants to describe their problematic sexual behavior. This questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is rated using a five-point scale, ranging between 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The more high the score, the more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used in order to assess sexual behavior between people with ADHD and those without.
These results are important because the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, like STI's, unwanted pregnancies, relationship problems, infidelity that begins at the onset of adulthood and adolescence and risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD experience difficulties in their romantic relationships. A lack of clear communication, and miscommunication due to issues like inattention and forgetfulness can cause frustration, resentment, and even conflict in the relationship. A strong network of friends and family members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.
It is also important to note that people with ADHD are often unable to listen. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior that could cause them to miss out on the main point of a discussion. adhd symptoms women with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which can cause them to tune out conversations or to do something else while other people are talking.
These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle in which the person who isn't ADHD becomes overwhelmed with anger and stress, while the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. The issue can get worse in the meantime as they become more distant.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their everyday demands. They may feel low self-esteem and shame because of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel like they can't keep up with their bills and chores. They can also suffer from mood swings and rejection sensitivity as well as low sexual drive.
Because of this, it is vital for those suffering from ADHD to establish an effective treatment plan and seek help. It is crucial that those closest to them, especially spouses, understand ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can develop a plan to achieve their goals. The non-ADHD partner can assume more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and finishing the chores at home.
Additionally, both partners should work to communicate more clearly and effectively and establish a regular routine that includes regular sleep patterns, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to find ways to make things easier for both partners, such splitting household chores or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for someone with ADHD.