periodbasket69

High Functioning ADHD in Women Women who have high functioning adhd are prone to frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during times of hormonal change, like the pre-menstrual period and pregnancy. Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies in order to cover their symptoms and impairments could delay the time for referral. This group of patients has a unique set challenges that must be considered when treating them. 1. Lack of self-esteem The emotional and social challenges that accompany ADHD can leave women feeling low. Even when they're successful, it's easy to feel like a failure for things they cannot control. This can lead to an unending cycle where they feel constantly overwhelmed and never good enough, which can be detrimental to their self-esteem and mental health. Girls who don't have treatment for ADHD are at higher risk of developing chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. As adults, they're at higher risk of having a single parent for children with ADHD and financial problems, as well as underemployment. They're also more likely than others to be afflicted by eating disorders and pass their bad habits on to their children. It's crucial that girls receive a diagnosis because it will allow them to better recognize the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling more confident after receiving the diagnosis. They are no longer berating themselves over things they cannot control. It can also help them reframe their struggles and refocus on what's important (Waite 2010). As women age and enter menopause, their hormone levels change, and ADHD symptoms can get worse. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD because their symptoms may be incorrectly identified and dismissed as “hormonal”, “that time of month” or “an anxiety disorder”. Untreated adult ADHD can have a devastating impact on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. Symptoms may interfere with a woman's daily routine which can make her angry and exhausted. She may feel she can't say no to people, leading her to overburden herself and become resentful of those close to her. It can be difficult to manage her work and home life, which can lead to delayed appointments and lost documents. She could be more prone to being affected by rejection and is more likely to snap at people she loves. 2. Rejection Sensitivity Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel very hurt when rejected. It could be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or an unkind comment from a coworker at work could trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are triggered and result in thoughts and feelings that could harm your self-esteem and relationships. Sensitivity to rejection can lead to depression, anxiety and mood fluctuations. Rejection sensitivity, which is typically associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects the way your brain processes emotions and how you react to them. Other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder may be a sign of these symptoms too. People suffering from RSD may view events through an eye that makes them appear darker or dimmer than they really are. This can lead them to interpret and perceive things as being related to rejection, even though they're not. RSD can make you incapable of controlling your emotions. This is why it is important to develop healthy coping strategies to deal with RSD. Read the articles below to learn more about rejection sensitivity. Although there isn't a cure for RSD but it is possible to manage your symptoms with the assistance of an expert in mental health. You can use coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you change your negative thought patterns. You can also establish a support network and practice mindfulness to lessen your chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will aid you in overcoming your RSD to live a more fulfilled and happy life. Avoid toxic relationships, because they can cause more symptoms. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to find out how you can quit. This can help you reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, such as anxiety and depression. By focusing on relationships that are healthy and relationships, you can boost your self-esteem. This will allow you to feel more confident in your abilities, and will give you an unbiased view of the world around you. 3. Sexuality ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behavior. Women who have high functioning adhd may be at greater risk for sexual problems. These behaviors can cause feelings of shame and guilt and can have a negative impact on their relationships and overall well-being. One study looked at adults with ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those without the disorder. Both males and women were affected. More methods could be due to the increased levels of impulsivity which can make them more likely to act on sexual thoughts and desires. Particularly, the study revealed that women with adhd were more likely to indulge in paraphilic masturbation fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive roles, bondage and sexing with strangers. It was also more common for them to go out to party and sex clubs. Both males and females with adhd had a greater rate of infidelity than those who did not have the disorder. This was due to their poor impulse control and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This is likely due to their greater levels of anxiety, and feeling misunderstood or misjudged by their partners. The survey asked participants to describe their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section. The study also utilized the Hypersexuality-Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) which asked participants about their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire comprises 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using a 5-point scale, between 1 (never to 5) (very often)). The more high the score, the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was used in order to evaluate sexual behaviors between adults with ADHD and those without. These findings are significant because the psychosexual experiences of adults with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been linked with sexual dysfunctions such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction and adult-onset infidelity as well as risky sexual behaviors. 4. Relationships Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication and miscommunication caused by signs such as inattention and forgetfulness may cause anger, frustration and conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be helped by a network of friends and family members who understand. 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 behaviors, which could cause them to lose focus on the main point of a discussion. People with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty in multitasking which could cause them to lose track of conversations or perform other activities while others talk. These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle where the person who is not ADHD is overwhelmed by stress and resentment and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood. The problem can escalate in the meantime as they become more distant. Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their lives. They may feel guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their chaotic and impulsive behavior, or feel like they're unable to keep up with their household chores and bills. They might also experience mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and a lack of sexual desire. It is important that those who suffer from ADHD seek treatment and seek help. It is also essential for those close to them particularly spouses, to understand the condition and how it affects the person they love. They can collaborate to establish clear expectations and boundaries and then formulate a plan for how they can achieve those goals. For example the partner who is not ADHD could be more involved in the financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD might focus on completing chores and organizing the house. In addition, both partners must work together to communicate more efficiently and clearly and establish a routine that incorporates regular sleep patterns, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It's important to find ways to make things easier for both of you, like splitting household chores or outsourcing certain tasks which are challenging for people with ADHD.