Written by: Shaniz Chowdhury
What is ADHD like in women and girls?
Unlike the typical symptom of ADHD—hyperactivity—women tend to show inattentiveness more. Having inattentiveness as their predominant symptom, they are often seen as lazy or irresponsible. They are frequently advised to pay more attention, focus, and take things seriously to fit into gender stereotypes.How is it different from the boys?
Hyperactivity:Boys tend to have a more visible form of hyperactivity, such as breaking things, not being able to sit still, or the need to be in constant motion.On the other hand, hyperactivity in women may include racing thoughts or speaking before thinking, which are often not considered as serious or obvious.
How is ADHD seen in women and girls?
Women are well-known for masking their symptoms, which is very similar to autism in girls, even though ADHD is not under the autism spectrum. Women and girls with ADHD are likely to be talkative, daydream frequently, have poor time management, or cry frequently.The unimaginable pressure on girls to be organized, social, and perform well in every aspect may make them overcompensate for their “inconvenient behavior” by becoming a perfectionist or attempting to multitask excessively.
How is ADHD diagnosed in later years?
The most common symptom raised by women with ADHD is being chronically overwhelmed. For women, the increasing responsibilities of family and work can make it hard to cope or hide ADHD symptoms. ADHD is often suspected in later years when lack of self-regulation and self-management becomes visible and disruptive.What can we do about it?
- Educate and teach: Women are more likely to fall into depression, anxiety, and self-esteem issues due to a lack of timely diagnosis.
- Research: There are many reliable sources available on the internet that translate the symptoms of ADHD specifically for women, making it easier to ask for a professional diagnosis.