If you could describe yourself as being easily distracted, forgetful or disorganized since childhood, you may have undiagnosed ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).
ADHD is often diagnosed during childhood and can persist into adulthood. However, many adults may have undiagnosed ADHD. This can lead to feelings of failing at balancing work and family when the reality is that their brain chemistry causes their minds to function differently.
Is ADHD Underdiagnosed in Girls and Women?
Depending on symptoms, ADHD is categorized by
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsivity
- Inattention
Some people have symptoms of all three categories, but males more frequently experience impulsivity and hyperactivity symptoms, such as extreme restlessness and interrupting others. Historically, the diagnosis model reflected hyperactivity and impulsivity characteristics of ADHD. That’s because the disruptive nature of hyperactivity and impulsivity command attention — particularly in a classroom setting — leading to earlier and more frequent diagnoses in males during their early school years.
In females, however, symptoms of inattention tend to be predominant, according to Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), an organization advocating on behalf of the ADHD community. Because inattention symptoms are less disruptive than impulsivity and hyperactivity, they may go unnoticed or unrecognized as ADHD symptoms by parents, teachers and others interacting daily with girls.
What Does Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Look Like?
Women with predominantly inattentive ADHD could experience symptoms that include:
- Abandoning tasks without finishing them
- Being easily distracted
- Difficulty paying attention to details or being prone to making mistakes that seem careless
- Difficulty prioritizing
- Difficulty organizing and completing activities
- Difficulty with focused tasks
- Excessive messiness
- Forgetfulness
- Habitually losing/misplacing things
- Not always listening
Women with ADHD may also experience hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms, including:
- Difficulty sitting still
- Excessive talking
- Extreme restlessness
- Interrupting others or answering questions before the other person has finished asking
How Is ADHD Diagnosed?
In adults, ADHD may be diagnosed when a person has at least five persistent symptoms of the condition affecting two or more areas of their life, whether those are symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity at home, school, work or in social situations.
How Is ADHD Treated?
Symptoms of ADHD can be managed with treatment, which usually include one or more of the following:
- Prescription medication. Medication for ADHD can help ease symptoms and allow you to develop or improve your time management and organization and prioritization skills.
- Stimulant medication. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants for ADHD are methylphenidate and amphetamines. Both are FDA-approved as ADHD treatments.
- Nonstimulant medication. Atomoxetine is the only FDA-approved, first line, nonstimulant medication for ADHD.
- Antidepressants. Although not FDA-approved for treating ADHD, some healthcare providers prescribe antidepressants as an off-label treatment for ADHD.
- Therapy and counseling. Cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling can help people with ADHD control impulsive behavior and grow their skills to manage ADHD symptoms.
If you have or suspect you have ADHD, St. Elizabeth Healthcare professionals can help with diagnosis and symptom management. Find a behavioral health specialist at St. Elizabeth Physicians in Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana.
