What Does ADHD Look Like In Women & Girls?
ADHD, also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is an affliction of neurodevelopment that affects children as well as adults. It is identified by symptoms like difficulty in focusing as well as hyperactivity and the tendency to be impulsive.
ADHD is a condition that makes it difficult to finish work, follow up on obligations, and interact with other people.
Despite being viewed as an illness that is typically associated with boys who have trouble sleeping and can’t be in a straight line, ADHD can manifest in women and girls, challenging the belief that it is primarily a problem for boys.
ADHD can have a significant impact on the lives of women and girls and affects their focus on organisation, impulsivity and even their emotional well-being.
This article will address ADHD in women and girls. To make sure that the information is clear, it is essential to be aware it is the case that, in this essay, the words ‘girls, ‘ women,’ and females are explicitly referring to people who identify as gender-neutral.
This is due in part to the lack of precision in the study of ADHD that doesn’t specify if transgender or gender nonconforming women are also included.
Table of Contents
ADHD As A ‘Male’ Condition
ADHD is a disorder which is more frequently diagnosed by males than females. Generally, three times more males are diagnosed with the condition.
This has caused some to believe that ADHD is a disorder caused by boys who can’t remain still, are “jumping off walls’ and are disruptive.
But, numerous women and girls aren’t diagnosed because the signs of ADHD aren’t being noticed.
The fact that males are diagnosed with ADHD more than females on the basis of a ratio of 3:1 indicates the fact that a lot of girls who have ADHD will remain undiagnosed and untreated instead of the notion that fewer girls have ADHD.
This implies that if they do not have a diagnosis, girls are more likely to experience longer-term educational, social and mental health effects.
Do women and girls present differently?
Girls and women who have ADHD tend to exhibit more hidden indications of ADHD than boys, particularly in relation to excessive impulsivity and hyperactivity. This could be due to various reasons, including hiding the symptoms of ADHD.
Women and girls who have ADHD might be more likely to fall into the predominant inattention-deficit presentation of ADHD.
Attentive signs could be a sign of having a tendency to be distracted or overwhelmed and lacking motivation and effort.
Girls with attention problems may be overlooked by boys, who might tend to exhibit the more typical hyperactive ADHD behaviours, thereby standing out more.
Because of their masking actions, females and girls are also more likely to spend an effort to look more typical (rather than neurodiverse).
The reason is that girls are required to be respectful and well-behaved when compared to males, and, as a result, they learn to behave in ways that are considered acceptable. This may make it difficult for girls to obtain a diagnosis.
What Does ADHD Look Like In Women & Girls?
The signs of ADHD for girls and women. Be aware that not all of these symptoms are common to all women and girls with ADHD.
Here are a few typical signs of ADHD which are believed to be expected both in girls and women. It is important to remember that not all symptoms are applicable to all people who have ADHD. It is not the complete list of signs. Every person may have an individual presentation with this condition and various levels of difficulty.
Forgetful
It isn’t easy to maintain focus
Hyper-talkative
Disorganised and messy
It appears that she is not motivated
The daydreaming process is often a constant source of inspiration.
It is easy to cry
Verbally impulsive, like interrupting other people
It appears that they are not trying to do an excellent job at the tasks
Extremely sensitive
Hyperreactivity
Poor time management
Sometimes, we make mistakes and need to be more careful.
Issues in completing tasks from start to end
Moving focus from one thing to the next
The process of processing information and instructions
These symptoms of ADHD are widespread across all genders. However, women and girls are likely to show differently depending on other influences like social pressures and expectations imposed on females.
Hyperactive and inattention indications
Girls and women who have ADHD are thought to exhibit more inattention than signs of hyperactivity. It doesn’t mean they don’t experience hyperactivity; however, it does mean that they appear differently.
Women and girls may display their hyperactivity inside, which can manifest by way of running thoughts or even outwardly as being extremely active and disrupting conversations.
Hyperfocus
To make up for their lack of attention to compensate for their lack of awareness, they might focus on something they love or excel at. They may put more effort and focus into their tasks than neurotypicals. Their teachers or parents may ignore the possibility that they have ADHD.
Sometimes, this is an escape strategy in order to entertain themselves when they feel something is dull, but other times, they don’t believe that they can control the situation. Women and girls who have ADHD might be hyper focused when performing tasks in a hurry to achieve success; it could be a sign of perfectionism.
Imposter syndrome
Women and girls who have ADHD might suffer from imposter syndrome if they’re in a position to accomplish similar levels of achievement as people with ADHD.
While some people can observe the effects of their accomplishments, they don’t always recognize the compensatory behaviours and the extra effort required for the battle against obstacles to achieve success. This may cause women and girls suffering from ADHD to think that they don’t deserve the success they have earned.
Social difficulties
Another sign of ADHD among women and girls is the differences in their social lives that they face. They might struggle to find and maintain friendships, and their world of social interaction might be more complicated than the lives of men and boys.
Girls might feel pressured to be attentive to their peers’ feelings or to read subtle social signals that could be difficult for them.
If they have trouble paying attention to their peers and may be in a hurry during conversations (e.g. interrupting), it could lead to an argument and disagreements.
Self-esteem is low.
Women and girls who have ADHD tend to be more likely to possess an inner source to control their behaviour than guys. For example, they might have a higher tendency to take blame for their own mistakes, while males are more inclined to blame external influences.
They might attribute their troubles and struggles to personal weaknesses or a lack of skill rather than something outside their control.
The tendency to blame oneself is often a result of social expectations and demands or internalised feelings of inadequateness that could affect one’s self-esteem and overall wellbeing.
Personal Experiences Of ADHD
Below are extracts from women and girls with ADHD who have shared their experiences.
Jasmine shares her story of feeling unprepared while everyone around her seems to be managing effortlessly:
“You are really absorbed by the critique of not being up to the standard and not being able to handle the challenges that others appear to be able to do effortlessly.’
Jasmine
In a study , the participants discussed how they dealt with stress due to their ADHD:
You have lots of thoughts going through your head that at the end of the day, it’s all stressing.’
It is common for people who have ADHD to be unable to keep up with the daily demands made on them until they eventually reach the point that they are not able to do anything at all:
When I’m so overwhelmed that I feel like I’m unable to accomplish anything, I lay down and do nothing and think I’m failing.’
Christine says she has been so overwhelmed by work that she would give up on trying:
“I was so overwhelmed by the volume of work I had to accomplish that I would shiver and not know the right way to go about it or end with no work. It was a struggle. I felt completely out of my element with myself.’
Emily writes about how she experiences problems controlling her emotions. An atypical symptom of ADHD:
“I recall throwing temper tantrums, which scared me, as I realised that I wasn’t able to manage them and was unsure of what was causing me to be so angry.’
