ADHD in women vs men
We have all heard stories about young boys acting out in class. Their repeat disruptive behavior causes teachers to talk with parents and it eventually turns in to ADHD diagnosis. Many girls with undiagnosed ADHD grow up hearing themselves mislabeled as “spacey,” “way too talkative,” and “disorganized.”
Boys/Men are 4 times more likely than girls/women to be diagnosed with ADHD.
Reasons why girls/women aren’t diagnosed as frequently:
Parents, teachers and others often overlook ADHD in girls, because their symptoms differ from those of boys. It is believe that boys have more hyperactive ADHD and girls have more inattentive ADHD.
There are still a lot of doctors including psychologists and psychiatrists who do not believe that girls or women can have ADHD.
Girls may make up for their inattention by hyperfocusing on something they like or put in so much effort that she compensates for it
Instead of being hyperactive and acting out, she might always be moving or doing something
Girls and women may also experience a lack of impulse control but instead of being physically disruptive (like disrupting class), they might talk excessively or interrupt others.
A better list of questions to ask girls/women:
Do you feel overwhelmed in stores, at the office, or at parties? Is it impossible for you to shut out sounds and distractions that don’t bother others?
Is time, money, paper, or “stuff” dominating your life and hampering your ability to achieve your goals?
Do you often shut down in the middle of the day, feeling assaulted? Do requests for “one more thing” put you over the top emotionally?
Are you spending most of your time coping, looking for things, catching up, or covering up? Do you avoid people because of this?
Have you stopped having people over to your house because you’re ashamed of the mess?
Do you have trouble balancing your checkbook?
Do you often feel as if life is out of control, and that it’s impossible to meet demands?
Do you feel like you’re always at one end of a deregulated activity spectrum — either a couch potato or a tornado?
Do you feel that you have better ideas than other people but are unable to organize them or act on them?
Do you start each day determined to get organized, and end each day feeling defeated?
Have you watched others of equal intelligence and education pass you by?
Do you despair of ever fulfilling your potential and meeting your goals?
Have you ever been thought of as selfish because you don’t write thank-you notes or send birthday cards?
Are you clueless as to how others manage to lead consistent, regular lives?
Are you called “a slob” or “spacey?” Are you “passing for normal?” Do you feel as if you are an impostor?
Is all your time and energy taken up with coping, staying organized, and holding it together, with no time for fun or relaxation?