Girls and women with ADHD
Parents and teachers often overlook ADHD in girls because their symptoms sometimes differ from those of boys.
Females can often reach adolescence or adulthood before their ADHD is diagnosed.
It is generally easier to identify ADHD in boys than in girls, because girls are more likely to demonstrate inattentive ADHD which does not have the visible symptoms that hyperactive/impulsive ADHD usually has.
There is also evidence to suggest that girls are better able to mask the difficulties that ADHD presents, further reducing their chance of getting help or treatment.
Females tend to have more issues during adolescence – already a tricky age for females. Symptoms often worsen during adolescence.
There is ongoing research to suggest that hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can affect neurotransmitters in the brain, resulting in over-sensitivity and mood swings.
There are complex social dynamics with teenage girls, especially in a high school setting. Girls with ADHD are often rejected by other girls, resulting in ‘I don’t fit in anywhere’ feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, leading to stress and depression.
Making an effort to hide their symptoms to meet expectations, their struggles can be secret, but no less damaging.
ADHD symptoms in women can be trickier to identify, or once identified, are often misdiagnosed.
ADHD symptoms in girls and women can be ‘explained away’ as character traits, as opposed to a clinical disorder.
The inattentive presentation of ADHD can come across as them being forgetful, disorganized, or ‘spacey’.
Females tend to have more internalizing disorders, like eating disorders and anxiety, and are at higher risk of self-mutilation, such as cutting themselves.
Women are often misdiagnosed and treated for anxiety and mood disorders as primary diagnoses.
When women reach adulthood, they may face the same feelings of being overwhelmed and exhaustion as men feel.
They may struggle to keep up with daily responsibilities, blaming themselves for their lack of motivation, lateness, or disorganization when something falls through the cracks. This can trigger frustrated outbursts at their family, something to be regretful of afterwards.
Inconsistent sleep and eating patterns can result in a further disorganized life. They may find themselves depending on prescription medication to manage their anxiety and stress, or turning to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate.
The following website is from the US organisation CHADD and provides some useful information in an American context. It contains information on:
The impact of ADHD on women
The challenge of receiving appropriate treatment
Medication management
Parent training
Group therapy
ADHD coaching
Professional organising
Career guidance
Self-help
ADHD medication and pregnancy (caution: please consult your GP rather than relying solely on web-based information)