Could You Have ADHD Without Knowing It? These Are the 15 Signs You’re Missing… Since 75% of Women Are Never Diagnosed
Diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have steadily increased over the past decade, but some experts warn that one population is still being overlooked: women.
Much of what scientists know about ADHD comes from studies that focused on men, but the disorder looks very different in women, says Dr. Janina Maschke, a cognitive psychologist and ADHD coach.
Women with ADHD are often dismissed for their symptoms – which can include shyness, sensitivity to noise and emotional volatility. They are often told that they are just ‘bubbly’ or that their symptoms are caused by their periods, anxiety or depression.
Men, on the other hand, are more likely to suffer from impulsiveness, hyperactivity and inattention than women with this disorder.
This created a system in which three times more men are more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than women.
Women with ADHD have difficulty with organization and focus, but they also have other symptoms that doctors may miss, including emotional sensitivity and shyness, Dr. Maschke says.
By some estimates, as many as 75 percent of women with this condition go undiagnosed. according to the Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC).
According to Kansas City psychiatrist Dr. Sasha Hamdani, this is partly because women have an easier time when they suppress their symptoms.
“Society rewards women for masking their symptoms,” says Dr. Hamdani, posted on TikTok.
They mask these symptoms because women are socialized to be “less disruptive and more accommodating,” the Sachs Center for ADHD and autism treatment. In turn, they may develop coping mechanisms such as becoming detail-oriented or hyper-organized to hide their internal turmoil.
To give people a concrete idea of what this might look like in women, Dr. Maschke told Newsweek 15 ADHD Symptoms That Women Often Experience That You May Not Recognize Are Characteristic of the Condition.
Examples of this include: appearing withdrawn and shy, being emotionally unstable, daydreaming frequently, talking a lot but not listening well, seeming unmotivated, being sensitive to sounds or substances, taking longer to process information, slamming doors, being easily distracted, making careless mistakes, and frequently interrupting others or blurting out words.
Some argue that someone with ADHD already has a busy mind — and that unexpected sounds, smells or touches can cause extreme discomfort and overwhelm the person, according to Community Health Network.
There are still some classic symptoms that you might associate with ADHD, including difficulty concentrating, difficulty with organization, being forgetful and late, making “careless” mistakes, not completing tasks, or frequently shifting attention.
“This difference in symptom presentation may lead to boys being diagnosed more often than girls because they externalize their symptoms and may disrupt others at school,” Dr. Maschke said.
This is why ADHD sometimes occurs in women referred to as inattentive ADHDbecause women with this disorder are better able to give the impression of being attentive—while withdrawing—than men, who are more likely to misbehave when they can’t concentrate.
According to CADDAC, women with ADHD have more difficulty making friends and are 3.5 times more likely to develop eating disorders, depression and anxiety disorders than men with ADHD.
Conversely, men with ADHD are more likely to develop substance abuse problems.
Although the disorder goes unnoticed in some people, the number of ADHD diagnoses in the United States is still high and growing.
CDC data shows that The number of women ages 15 to 44 who received a prescription for ADHD medication increased by 344 percent between 2003 and 2015.
Between 2.5 and 4.4 percent of American adults, approximately 11 million people, suffer from ADHD.
The diagnosis is more common in children: about 11 percent of Americans between the ages of three and 17 have the condition, about 7 million people, According to the CDC.
That’s about 1 million more children with the condition than in 2016. This rising number led the CDC to declare ADHD a “growing public health problem.”
The average age of diagnosis is seven. Fifteen percent of boys under 18 are diagnosed with the disorder, compared to eight percent of girls under 18.
Diagnoses are generally more likely to be made in children because ADHD was initially studied almost exclusively in children and there are no formal diagnostic criteria for ADHD in adults. Dr. Frances Levinaccording to a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University.
Some experts believe that doctors overdiagnose the condition, especially in children.
But according to Dr. Levin, both stories are likely true: Some people are misdiagnosed, while others are missed entirely.
“It’s difficult to get a clear picture of how many people in this country meet the clinical definition of ADHD because there are no guidelines in the U.S. for the diagnosis and evaluation of ADHD in adults,” said Dr. Levin.
If you suspect you have this condition, it’s wise not to jump to conclusions before talking to a doctor, Dr. Maschke says.
‘As a first step, it may be helpful to consult a pediatrician or mental health specialist who can conduct a thorough assessment.’
ADHD is usually treated with therapy and, if a patient is over the age of six, medication. Therapy focuses on helping the person pay attention, form relationships, and regulate themselves when they feel overwhelmed.
