An international expert consensus statement published in BMC Psychiatry in 2020 states that the fact that ADHD is diagnosed more often in boys is at least partly because girls are less often recognised and referred to specialists. In women ADHD often presents differently: symptoms are less outward and more “internal”, such as distractibility, inner restlessness or difficulty organising daily life.
Why the symptoms stay hidden
According to the experts, recognition is hindered by different symptoms, gender stereotypes, co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression, and the coping strategies women learn to mask their symptoms. They therefore call for ADHD to be seen as more than a behavioural disorder.
What this means for you
- If you have felt scattered all your life and exhausted from constantly “keeping it together”, it is worth talking to a specialist.
- ADHD can be diagnosed in adulthood too.
- A correct diagnosis helps you find the right support and reduces self-criticism.
Sources
- Young S., Adamo N., Ásgeirsdóttir B. B. et al. (2020). Females with ADHD: an expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls and women. BMC Psychiatry, 20. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9