![]() Often females may get left behind and diagnose later in life because they are able to “cover up” the ADHD symptoms. Many women get overlooked until later in life when they begin to struggle to make sense of the difficulties they have been encountering. However, they may underperform at critical times such as their exams, due to concentration issues. This is due to the fact that their symptoms are more subtle. In school or college women with ADHD are bright and intelligent. As males may display “external” symptoms such as fidgeting and hyperactivity they are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ADHD. Therefore inattentive ADHD is also more common in women than it is in boys and men, who tend to lean towards the hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. ![]() Research has shown that girls and women are less likely to be diagnosed as parents and teachers are not quite sure what to look out for even if they do notice some difficulties. They often report “zoning” in and out, when they should be listening in class. Women with ADHD, when reporting childhood experiences, are the ones who “daydream” or doodle on their work. At times the ADHD symptoms are attributed to the personality type of being “the chatty ones” and more social.Īs with any mental health disorder, symptoms can vary and this can even vary between the genders. Sometimes their difficulties are mistaken for being “hormonal” or “anxious”. Therefore it is for this reason, many women grow up feeling misunderstood. ADHD really does look different in women. We have a huge gap in the diagnosis profile with males almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than females. ![]() ADHD symptoms exist in both females and males and in the same proportions. It was not so long ago where we all knew of ADHD in the context of naughty disruptive school boys bouncing off the walls. It is worth remembering that ADHD is not gender biased. Due to this traditional imagery of ADHD, these women are overlooked and less likely to be referred for mental health services. ![]() Most of the new patients who are diagnosed with Adult ADHD are relieved as they can make sense of their difficulties, which nearly always looks different to the typical male ADHD picture. In my clinical practice, I have noticed that ADHD diagnoses among women are on the rise and that more and more women are looking for answers to their difficulties. This means if your father or mother has inattentive or hyperactive symptoms, you are more than likely to have ADHD too. We have clinical medical research suggesting that ADHD is hereditary. Or you may have (ADHD) and a specific learning disorder. For example, you may have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) together with intellectual disability. Neurodevelopmental disorders frequently coexist. This list is not exhaustive and new changes made to the 5th edition of the DSM include other psychiatric disorders (). ![]() Other examples of neurodevelopmental disorders include Autism, Learning disabilities and conduct disorders. trouble concentrating or focusing, being distracted.Then we have impulsive traits and finally hyperactivity symptoms. Firstly relating to focus and attention difficulties. The characteristics of ADHD fall under the following domains. It is known as a Neurodeveoplemtal disorder which means parts of the brain which control emotions, learning, self-control and memory are affected. How does the clinical picture of ADHD differ in males and females?ĭr Johnson Consultant Psychiatrist in Neurodevelopmental disorders goes through how to recognise the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in girls and women.Īttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed behavioural disorders in children and it’s often a lifelong condition. ![]()
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