High Functioning ADHD in Women<br /><br />Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. The symptoms can become more severe during times of hormonal change like the pre-menstrual period and pregnancy.<br /><br />Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to hide their impairments and symptoms can delay referral.<br /><br />This patient group faces specific challenges that must be considered when treating them.<br /><br />1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.<br /><br />Women can feel depressed by the social and emotional challenges of ADHD. Even when they're successful, it's easy to feel like they're a failure because of things they cannot change. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adult-adhd-in-women/">Iam Psychiatry</a> can lead to an endless cycle of feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. This can have a negative effect on their mental health.<br /><br />Girls who suffer from ADHD who aren't treated are at greater risk of having low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of depression, anxiety, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they are at a higher risk of becoming single-parents to a child with ADHD and experiencing financial crisis or underemployment. They're also more likely to suffer with eating disorders, and their bad patterns can pass down to their children.<br /><br />It's crucial that girls get a diagnosis as it will allow them to better recognize the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving the diagnosis. They are no longer berating themselves over things they aren't able to manage. It can also help them reframe their issues and help them focus on the things that matter (Waite 2010).<br /><br />As women age and approach menopausal age, their hormone levels could change, and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. It isn't easy to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".<br /><br />Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect daily routines, leaving her frustrated and exhausted. It is possible that she cannot turn down people, which causes her to be overwhelmed and angry with those around her. She might find it difficult to manage the work and home lives of her children and this can lead to unscheduled appointments and files being lost. She could be more prone to being angered when she is not liked which makes her more likely to snap at those she loves.<br /><br />2. Rejection Sensitivity<br /><br />Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel a strong sense of when you're being rejected, whether real or perceived. A disagreement with a partner, or a negative comment from a coworker at work could trigger you. The brain's natural defence mechanisms are overstimulated and result in thoughts, feelings and beliefs that can affect your self-esteem and relationships. You can also experience anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations as a result of the sensitivity to rejection.<br /><br />Rejection sensitivity, although often linked to ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects how your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder (BPD).<br /><br /><br /><br />People with RSD might see events through a filter that makes them appear darker or dimmer than they really are. This could cause people to interpret things as being related to rejection even though they're not. RSD can also cause you to have a difficult managing your emotions, which is why it is important to develop healthy strategies for coping to manage this.<br /><br />You can learn more about the issue of rejection sensitivity by reading these articles:<br /><br />Although there isn't a cure for RSD but it is possible to manage your symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can employ coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps change your negative thought patterns. You can also establish an emotional support network and practice mindfulness to lessen your risk of reacting negatively to rejection. This can aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more satisfying and happier life. It is also crucial to avoid toxic relationships as they can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek out counseling to learn how you can safely leave. This will help lessen the risk of having feelings of rejection, like anxiety and depression. You can also boost your self-esteem by developing healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and give a realistic perspective on life.<br /><br />3. Sexuality<br /><br />ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviors. Research suggests that women suffering from high functioning adhd are at a greater risk of experiencing these sexual issues than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also trigger feelings of shame and guilt, which can affect their relationships and well-being.<br /><br />In one study, adults with ADHD were found to be more likely than those with ADHD to be sexually adventurous. interest. Both genders were affected. This is likely due to the greater impulsivity levels that can make them more likely act on their sexual ideas and desires. The study found that females who have adhd are more likely to engage sexual fantasies and actions. This included submissive roles play bondage, sexual contact with strangers. It was also more common for them to go to sexual clubs and parties.<br /><br />Both females and males suffering from adhd had a higher rate of infidelity than those without the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol disinhibition. This was likely also because of their higher rates of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 shows the results of this section.<br /><br />The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19), which asked participants to describe their problematic sexual behaviors. The questionnaire comprises 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored 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 used to compare the sexual behaviours of adults with and without ADHD.<br /><br />These findings are significant, since the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD were not studied as often. They have been linked with sexual dysfunctions like unwanted pregnancy and STIs, relationship dissatisfaction and adult-onset infidelity, as well as dangerous sexual behavior.<br /><br />4. Relationships<br /><br />Many people with high functioning ADHD have trouble in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication and misunderstandings caused by symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention could lead to frustration, anger, and conflict within the relationship. A strong group of family and friends members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial for maintaining healthy relationships.<br /><br />It is important to remember that people who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time listening. They can be interrupted easily by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which could cause them to lose the purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to struggle in multitasking which could cause them to become disengaged of conversations or engage in other activities while someone else talks.<br /><br />These struggles can result in a cycle where the non-ADHD partner is overwhelmed with anger and stress, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. The problem can escalate from there, as they become more withdrawn.<br /><br />Women with high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their daily demands. They may experience low self-esteem or shame because of their impulsive, disorganized behavior. They may feel that they are unable to manage their obligations and bills. They can also suffer from mood swings and sensitivity to rejection as well as low sexual drive.<br /><br />For these reasons, it is essential for those suffering from ADHD to develop a treatment plan and seek assistance. It is essential that those closest to them, including spouses, understand ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to set clear boundaries and expectations and then formulate an action plan to will achieve their objectives. The non-ADHD spouse could take on more financial responsibilities while the person with ADHD is focused on organizing and finishing the housework.<br /><br />Both partners must work to improve their communication and create a routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times, and time for relaxation and rest. It's important to find ways to simplify things for both spouses, such as splitting household chores or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for someone with ADHD.<br /><br />