ADHD is a massively misunderstood disorder that impacts roughly 5% of adults. Males tend to be diagnosed more than females (12.9% compared to 5.6%). There is a question as to whether ADHD truly exists in males more than females, or whether there are contributing factors that impact the diagnosis rates. Studies show that women with ADHD present differently than men with the same disorder. Here are some signs to watch for in women who may have ADHD.
Hyperfocus
Women and girls have a tendency to hyperfocus on tasks rather than (or in addition to) becoming easily distracted. This causes professionals, parents, and teachers to overlook the possibility of ADHD because the individual does so well in areas like school or work where prolonged attention is rewarded. This can result in women and girls having difficulty finding psychiatrist specialists.
Depression and Anxiety
There is a large margin of comorbidity between ADHD and other mental health conditions, mainly depression and anxiety. Women and girls are expected to be organized, good planners, social, and other things that ADHD can make incredibly difficult. Because so much of their identity is thought to be linked to the ability to perform well in those areas, this can cause them to spiral into depression and anxiety from feeling inadequate.
Talkativeness
Women and girls with ADHD are frequently labeled as “chatterboxes.” Their talkativeness is seen as an extension of the “social butterfly” stereotype that they are often stuck with, rather than a symptom of a neurological difference. While talkativeness is understood to be a symptom of ADHD in men and boys, it is seen as only a personality trait in women and girls, causing ADHD to fall under the radar.
Forgetfulness
ADHD can make it hard to remember things. Frequently losing car keys, forgetting appointments, and having difficulty following instructions are all ways that this can manifest. These symptoms are often dismissed in women and girls under the pretense that they are just “spacey” or “absent-minded.” Many women are perceived to be “air-headed” which creates the idea that these symptoms are typical character traits rather, instead of an indicator of a health condition.
Overspending
ADHD can make it difficult to manage daily tasks such as laundry, cleaning, and cooking. It is common for people with ADHD to do things such as use paper plates rather than do the dishes, or buy new clothes instead of doing the laundry because completing the task seems insurmountable. This can cause overspending, especially since ADHD can make object permanence difficult (When you aren’t looking directly at your bank account, it’s easy to forget how much you have left). Because women and girls are stereotyped to love shopping, even to the point of overdrawing their bank account, this does not always register to others as a symptom of ADHD.
It can be extremely difficult to detect a disorder in women when most of the studies surrounding it have been conducted on men. Women with ADHD present differently from men in several ways, and it is possible to detect and treat ADHD in any gender if you keep these differences in mind.
