The symptoms of ADHD that are present in women are similar to classic symptoms of the disorder, but may differ somewhat in their presentation and emotional impact. In childhood, ADHD may be overlooked in girls because their symptoms are somewhat different than boys and because less research has been done on the impact of this disorder on girls.
Typical Symptoms
Women with ADHD often struggle with time management, organization, anxiety or depression, and feelings of stress. Managing critical aspects of everyday life including paying bills, managing money, laundry, chores, work tasks and planning may be impacted. This struggle to keep up with tasks and feeling disorganized often leads to significant stress and feeling overwhelmed.
Mood Symptoms
Women with symptoms of ADHD often experience feelings of anxiety and depression as well that may result in comorbid diagnoses of depression or anxiety disorders. The National Resource Center on ADHD reports that women with the disorder are more likely than men to have poor self-esteem, be anxious and stressed, use emotional means of coping, and blame outside sources for success and failure. These women may feel that their life is outside their control.
Difference from Boys in Childhood
In childhood, girls tend to demonstrate different symptoms of ADHD than boys. As described by psychologist Robert Weis in “Introduction to Child and Adolescent Psychology,” girls are more likely to demonstrate symptoms of inattention rather than hyperactivity and impulsivity, which is more common in boys. Because girls do not demonstrate as many disruptive behavior problems, their symptoms are more likely to be overlooked.
Diagnosis
Women may not be diagnosed with ADHD in childhood despite the presence of symptoms. Often, women are diagnosed later in life when their own child demonstrates symptoms of ADHD. Women may initially seek help for mood symptoms, and ADHD symptoms are later recognized as the root of the problem.
Treatment
Psychotherapy needs to be tailored to the specific struggles women with ADHD face. The National Resource Center on ADHD suggests that therapy should target self-esteem, stress levels, organization and management, family difficulties, and emotional struggles. Therapy should focus on both learning to manage ADHD difficulties such as organization and problem solving as well as on the emotional consequences of living with the disorder. Medication treatment is also available, but may be complex in women due to other health problems, changes in hormone levels, and the presence of mood disorders.
References
- American Psychological Association: ADHD: A women’s issue- Psychologists are fighting gender bias in research on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
- National Resource Center on ADHD: Women and ADHD
- “Introduction to Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology”; Robert Weis; 2008
