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High Functioning ADHD in Women Women who suffer from high functioning adhd may experience frustration and miscommunication in their relationships. adhd in young women may be more severe during periods of hormonal changes, like premenstrual and pregnancy cycles. Many women and girls are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, masking their symptoms and impairments that can delay time until referral. This group of patients faces a unique set of issues that must be considered when treating them. 1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point. The social and emotional challenges that accompany ADHD can make women feel low. Even when they're doing well it's easy to feel like a failure because of things they can't control. This can result in an endless cycle of feeling overwhelmed and unsatisfied. This can have a negative effect on their mental health. Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at a greater risk of having low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. They also have a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and addiction to drugs. As adults, they're more likely to be single-parents to a child with ADHD and facing financial hardship or underemployment. They are also more likely than other people to suffer from eating disorders and pass their bad habits onto their children. It's crucial that women receive a diagnosis since it will allow them to better comprehend their struggles and manage their symptoms. Many women report feeling empowered after receiving an diagnosis. They are no longer getting angry about things they can't control. It can also help them reframe their problems and refocus them on the things that matter (Waite 2010). As women age and approach menopausal age, their hormone levels could change and ADHD symptoms could worsen. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treated since they are often misdiagnosed as having anxiety or mood disorder and the symptoms are dismissed as “hormonal” or “that time of the month.” Being diagnosed with untreated adult ADHD can have devastating consequences on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with family and friends. Symptoms may interfere with a woman's daily routine that can leave her feeling angry and exhausted. She may feel she can't refuse to be around people, leading her to overburden herself and become angry with people close to her. She may find it difficult to manage her work and home life, which can lead to delayed appointments and lost documents. She could be more easily triggered when she is rejected, making her more likely to lash out at people she loves. 2. Rejection Sensitivity The sensitivity to rejection causes you to feel deeply hurt when rejected. It could be real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner or an unkind comment from a co-worker at work can trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are triggered and result in thoughts and feelings that can affect your self-esteem and relationships. The sensitivity to rejection can also lead to depression, anxiety and mood shifts. Although it's often linked to ADHD, rejection sensitiveness is actually a sign of emotional dysregulation that affects how 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. People suffering from RSD may see events through a filter that makes them appear darker or less than they really are. This can cause them to interpret and perceive things as being related to rejection even if they aren't. RSD can also cause you to have a hard time regulating your emotions which is why it's crucial to have coping strategies that are healthy to manage this. You can learn more about the sensitivity to rejection by reading these articles: While there is no cure for RSD it is possible to manage the symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can employ strategies for coping, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which helps change your negative thought patterns. You can also establish an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to lessen the chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This can help you find ways to overcome your RSD and help you lead a more pleasant and fulfilling life. It is also crucial to stay clear of toxic relationships since they can cause symptoms to become worse. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek out counsel to find out the best method to leave. This can lower the chance of experiencing feelings of rejection like depression and anxiety. You can also increase your self-esteem by focusing on developing healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and give an objective view of life. 3. Sexuality ADHD symptoms can make maintaining a healthy relationship challenging. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviours. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at higher risk of having sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also lead to feelings of guilt and shame, which can have a negative impact on their relationships and overall wellbeing. 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 genders were affected. This was likely due to their higher levels of impulsivity which could make them more likely to act on their sexual desires and thoughts. The study found that women who suffer from adhd are more likely to engage in sexual fantasies and actions. This included submissive role-play, bondage and sex with strangers. It was also more common for them to go out to sex clubs and parties. Both men and women with adhd were more likely be in a relationship than those who didn't have the disorder. This is due to their inability to control their impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition, as well as their desire for sensation. This was likely also due to their higher rates of insecurity and being misunderstood or mistreated by their partners. The survey asked respondents about their experiences with extra-partner relationships and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section. Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire from participants about their problematic sexual behavior. The questionnaire is comprised of 19 items that are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored using a five-point scale, ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score the more symptomatology there is. The HBI-19 was developed in order to compare sexual behaviors between people with ADHD and those without. These findings are significant because the psychosexual outcomes of adults with ADHD have been scarcely studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions, such as STI's and unplanned pregnancies, relationship problems, infidelity that begins at the onset of adulthood and adolescence and risky sexual behavior. 4. Relationships Many people who have high functioning ADHD struggle with their romantic relationships. Insufficient communication and misunderstandings triggered by symptoms like forgetfulness and inattention can result in anger, frustration and conflict in a relationship. A supportive group of family and friends members who can understand is beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships. It is crucial to keep in mind that people with ADHD have trouble listening. They are easily interrupted by impulsive behavior or their own thoughts, which may cause them to miss the point of the conversation. People with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which can cause them to mute conversations or perform other tasks while another person is talking. These struggles can result in a cycle where the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner is misunderstood and defensive. They can then become more withdrawn, and the problem escalates from there. Women with high functioning ADHD often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their everyday life. They may be feeling shame or low self-esteem because of their impulsive, chaotic behavior. Or they might find themselves struggling to keep up with their chores and bills. They may also experience mood swings and rejection sensitivity and low sexual drive. This is why it is essential for those suffering from ADHD to establish an effective treatment plan and seek assistance. It is crucial that those closest to them, especially spouses, understand ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can set clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they will come up with an action plan to reach their goals. For example the non-ADHD spouse could assume more financial responsibilities, whereas the person with ADHD might focus on completing chores and organizing the house. In addition, both parties should work to communicate more clearly and effectively, and establish a routine that includes regular sleeping patterns, meal times and time for relaxation and rest. It's also important to find ways to make things simpler for both parties by splitting household chores, or outsourcing some tasks that are difficult for the person with ADHD, such as hiring cleaning services or utilizing apps to manage costs.