Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — more frequently known as ADHD — is one of the most common pediatric behavioral health conditions, impacting around six million adolescents. Unfortunately, there is a gender bias not only in the general thinking but also in the research. While 13 percent of boys ages 3 to 17 are diagnosed, only 6 percent of girls in the same age group receive a diagnosis. Additionally, girls are often diagnosed five years later than boys.
In today’s blog post, let’s look at the signs of ADHD in girls to better understand why it often goes undetected.
To start, it’s important to have a basic understanding of ADHD. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder with three forms: hyperactive/impulsive, inattentive, and combined. Although anyone can have any type, hyperactivity is five times more common among boys. This form includes the more well-known symptoms, like extremely active behavior, fidgeting, and loud interruptions.
Girls, meanwhile, most often present with inattentiveness. As a result, they are labeled as forgetful, spacey, or even lazy. The inattentive form of ADHD leads to challenges that affect their ability to listen, organize, manage time, study, and keep up with tasks. For instance, a responsible female student may become easily distracted and struggle with completing basic assignments. Unlike boys with ADHD, these young girls don’t cause trouble and tend to fall through the cracks in many ways.
An individual with severe symptoms of inattentive ADHD may also suffer from academic problems, including missed assignments, incomplete work, and low grades. They may be blamed for poor work ethic or punished for their behavior, which in turn leads to negative self-talk and low self-esteem — problems that can persist into adulthood if left unaddressed.
There are a few key reasons for the misunderstandings surrounding ADHD.
One is the simple fact that it’s been studied more in boys. Because of the research, what the public knows — healthcare professionals included — is skewed towards the hyperactive and impulsive form of the condition.
Additionally, girls with ADHD tend to study more or work harder to “make up” for their challenges. In doing so, they mask their symptoms, leading to the delayed diagnosis mentioned above. These girls who are compensating for their ADHD may feel anxious and overwhelmed, two signs that are often the first indicators of a bigger problem. They are then referred to a therapist for anxiety or mood disorders, while their ADHD continues to be overlooked.1
It’s also important to note that you can’t rule out an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis just because an individual can focus while doing activities they love, like reading, drawing, or even studying. ADHD is defined by problems with regulating attention, meaning that, when they’re motivated, they tend to hyperfocus on the activity at hand, tuning everything else out. The inattentiveness only takes center stage with things that are considered boring or “too hard.”
Fortunately, there has been a recent increase in awareness when it comes to understanding the signs of ADHD in girls.
As social media posts educate young people and their families, the medical community is improving its understanding of the condition and its many presentations as well. Next, this increased awareness must translate to increased care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 23 percent of young people diagnosed with ADHD are not seeking treatment. In particular, studies show that girls are prescribed fewer ADHD medications than boys.
For children six years old and older, doctors recommend a combined treatment approach of medication and behavioral therapy. Adderall and methylphenidate — both stimulants — help restore the brain’s chemical balance, improving decision-making and cognitive control. Ultimately, a better understanding of the signs of ADHD in girls can be life-changing for younger generations.
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References
- Quinn PO, Madhoo M. A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01596. doi: 10.4088/PCC.13r01596. Epub 2014 Oct 13. PMID: 25317366; PMCID: PMC4195638.
