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High Functioning ADHD in Women Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience frustration and misunderstandings in their relationships. The symptoms may increase during times of hormonal change such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy. Many women and girls are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, masking their symptoms and impairments which may delay the time to referral. This group of patients has a unique set of challenges which must be taken into account when treating them. 1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point. The emotional and social challenges associated with ADHD can cause women to feel down. Even when they're successful, it's easy to feel like they're a failure because of things they aren't able to change. This can lead to an endless cycle of feeling like they are constantly overwhelmed and never satisfied, which can affect their self-esteem and mental health. Girls who aren't treated for ADHD are at higher risk of developing chronic low self-esteem as well as teen pregnancy, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. As adults, they're at an higher risk of having a single parent for children with ADHD and financial difficulties, as well as underemployment. They are also more likely than others to suffer from eating disorders and pass on their bad habits to their children. It's important for girls to get an accurate diagnosis because it will provide them with an understanding of their struggles and enable them to manage their symptoms more efficiently. Many women report feeling more confident after receiving an diagnosis. They are no longer getting angry about things they aren't able to manage. 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 enter menopausal age their hormone levels alter, and ADHD symptoms can become more severe. This can make it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated, as they're often misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorder and their symptoms are dismissed as “hormonal” or “that time of the month.” Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman's self-esteem, and her relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can disrupt 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 angry with people close to her. She may find it difficult organizing her work and home life, which can lead to missed appointments and lost documents. She may also be more susceptible to being triggered by rejection, so she may be more likely to be defensive and lash out at people she loves. 2. Rejection Sensitivity Rejection sensitivity makes you feel very hurt when rejected. This could be real or perceived. You might be triggered by an argument with your partner or a negative feedback from a coworker at work. Your brain's natural defense mechanisms are over-stimulated, and the thoughts and feelings that result can harm your relationships and self-esteem. Sensitivity to rejection can result in anxiety, depression and mood swings. Rejection sensitivity, while often associated with ADHD is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation. This impacts how your brain handles emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health conditions like borderline personality disorder (BPD). People with RSD may view events through an eye that makes them appear more dark or dimmer than they actually are. This can cause them to interpret and perceive 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 crucial to develop healthy strategies for coping to manage this. Check out the following articles to learn more about rejection sensitivity. Although there isn't a cure for RSD, it's possible to manage your symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. add and adhd in women can utilize coping techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to change your negative thinking patterns. You can also create an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to reduce your chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD, so you can live a happier and more fulfilled life. It is also important to stay clear of toxic relationships since they can make your symptoms worse. If you're in a abusive relationship, seek out counsel to find out the best way to leave. This will help lessen the risk of having feelings of rejection, like anxiety and depression. You can also boost your self-esteem by focusing on creating healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident about your abilities and give an objective view of life. 3. Sexuality ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviors. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at higher risk of having sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment which may negatively impact their relationships and overall well-being. One study looked at adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to have adventurous sexual interests than those who did not suffer from the disorder. Both males and women were affected. This could be due to their more impulsive levels, which makes them more likely to act upon their sexual desires and thoughts. The study found that women with adhd are more likely to engage paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive role-play bondage, sexual relations with strangers. They also went to sex parties and nightclubs more often. 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 lack of impulse control and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This is probably due to their greater levels of anxiety and a feeling of being misunderstood or misjudged by their partners. The survey asked participants about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relations that were not contraceptive. Table 6 outlines the results from this section. In the final analysis, the study utilized the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to ask participants about their problematic sexual behavior. This questionnaire consists of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is evaluated using a five-point scale, ranging between 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used to assess the sexual behavior of adults who have and those without ADHD. These results are important because the psychosexual experiences of adults with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, like STI's, unwanted pregnancies, relationship problems, adult and adolescent onset infidelity and risky sexual behavior. 4. Relationships Many people with high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. Insufficient communication and misunderstandings caused by signs such as forgetfulness and inattention can lead to frustration, anger and conflict within relationships. Maintaining healthy relationships can be helped by a network of friends and family members who understand. It is important to remember that people who suffer from ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily interrupted by their impulsive behavior or own thoughts, which can cause them to miss the main point of a conversation. People with ADHD are more likely to be struggling in multitasking and can cause them to tune out of conversations or perform other things while someone else is talking. These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle where the person who is not ADHD is overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD person feels untrusted. The issue could escalate from there, as they become more withdrawn. Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their lives. They may experience feelings of guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel like they're unable to keep up with their chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and low sex desire. It is essential that those with ADHD seek treatment and seek assistance. It is important 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, then come up with an action plan to will achieve their objectives. For instance the non-ADHD spouse could assume more financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD might focus on the task of organizing and finishing housework. Additionally, both partners must work together to communicate more clearly and effectively, and establish a routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times and time for rest and relaxation. It is important to find ways to simplify things for both spouses, such as dividing household tasks or outsourcing certain tasks that are difficult for someone with ADHD.