High Functioning ADHD in Women<br /><br />Women with adhd that are high functioning are frustrated and misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms can be more severe during times of hormonal changes, like premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.<br /><br />Many girls and women resorting to compensatory strategies to mask their symptoms and impairments could delay the time for referral.<br /><br />This group of patients faces a unique set issues that need to be taken into consideration when treating them.<br /><br />1. Insecurity about oneself<br /><br />The social and emotional challenges that come with ADHD can cause women to feel low. Even when they are successful, it's easy to feel like they're failing because of the things they cannot change. This can lead to an endless cycle of feeling like they are constantly overwhelmed and never quite good enough and can affect their mental health and self-esteem.<br /><br />Girls who aren't treated for ADHD are more at risk of chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they are at greater risk of being single-parents of a child with ADHD and facing financial hardship or unemployment. They are also more likely than other people to be afflicted by eating disorders and to pass their bad habits on to their children.<br /><br />It's essential that girls receive a diagnosis because it will help them better understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report that they feel more empowered after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop beating themselves up over the little things they can't manage. It can also help them see their struggles as strengths and refocus their attention on what matters most (Waite, 2010).<br /><br />As women age and move towards menopausal, their hormone levels change, and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD as their symptoms could be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".<br /><br />Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating impacts on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with family and friends. Symptoms can interfere with everyday routines, leaving them frustrated and exhausted. She might feel that she is unable to say no to people and end up overburdened herself and become resentful of those close to her. It can be difficult organizing her work and home life, which leads to missing appointments and documents getting lost. She could also be more easily angered when she is not liked which makes her more likely to snap at people she likes.<br /><br />2. Rejection Sensitivity<br /><br />Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel a strong sense of when you are rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or a negative comment from a coworker at work can trigger your symptoms. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms become over-stimulated, and the thoughts and feelings that result can hurt your relationships and self-esteem. You may also experience anxiety, depression and mood changes due to the sensitivity to rejection.<br /><br />Rejection sensitivity, although often associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain processes emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be observed in other mental health conditions like borderline personality disorder (BPD).<br /><br />RSD patients may perceive events through a filter, which makes them appear brighter or darker than they really are. This could cause them to interpret things as being related to rejection even if they aren't. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adult-adhd-in-women/">Iam Psychiatry</a> can make you 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.<br /><br /><br /><br />Learn more about the issue of rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:<br /><br />Although there isn't a cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of a mental health professional. You can utilize coping techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also develop mindfulness and build a network of support to decrease your risk of negative reactions to rejection. This can aid you in overcoming your RSD so that you can live a more satisfying and happy life. Avoid toxic relationships as they can exacerbate your symptoms. If you are in a abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how to safely quit. This can help you reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, such as anxiety and depression. By focusing on relationships that are healthy, you can improve your self-esteem. This will help you feel more confident in your capabilities and provide a realistic perspective on life.<br /><br />3. Sexuality<br /><br />ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship difficult. This can cause sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at greater risk of experiencing these sexual problems than non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also result in feelings of guilt and shame, which can have a negative effect on their relationships and overall wellbeing.<br /><br />One study surveyed adults with ADHD and found that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was the case for males and females. This could be due to their higher levels of impulsivity, which could make them more likely to act on sexual desires and ideas. Particularly, the study revealed that females with adhd were more likely to engage in paraphilic sex fantasies and behaviours. This included submissive roles play, bondage and sex with strangers. It was also more typical for them to go to sex clubs and parties.<br /><br />Both men and women with adhd were more likely be infidelity than those who did not suffer from the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. This could be due to their higher levels of insecurity and being misunderstood, or misjudged by their loved ones. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with sexual affairs and sexual intercourse without contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.<br /><br />Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to ask participants about their sexual problems. The questionnaire consists of 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 it has. The HBI-19 was used in order to compare sexual behaviors between people who suffer from ADHD and those who do not.<br /><br />These results are important because the psychosexual experiences of people with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been linked to sexual dysfunctions, like STI's, unwanted pregnancies, relationship problems, adolescent and adult onset infidelity and risky sexual behaviors.<br /><br />4. Relationships<br /><br />Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their relationships with loved ones. Insufficient communication and miscommunication caused by signs such as forgetfulness and inattention could result in anger, frustration and conflict within relationships. A supportive network of family and friends members who can understand is helpful for maintaining healthy relationships.<br /><br />It is also important to note that people with ADHD frequently have trouble listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors, which could cause them to miss out on the central point of a discussion. People with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which can lead them to shut out conversations or do something else while other people are talking.<br /><br />These battles can create an unending cycle where the partner who is not ADHD is overwhelmed by stress and resentment and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. The problem can escalate from there as they become more withdrawn.<br /><br />Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their daily life. They may experience feelings of shame and low self-esteem because of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel that they're not able to handle their bills and chores. They may also experience mood swings, rejection sensitivity and a lack of sexual desire.<br /><br />It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD find a treatment and seek out help. It is essential that the people closest to them, especially spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can collaborate to set clear boundaries and expectations, then come up with a plan for how they will meet those goals. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD will be focused on organising and completing chores at home.<br /><br />Both partners should also strive to improve their communication and establish a routine that includes regular schedules for sleeping, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It is important to find ways to simplify things for both of you, like sharing household chores or outsource certain tasks that are difficult for a person with ADHD.<br /><br />