When someone thinks of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, often shortened to ADHD, they may picture a young child who has a hard time standing still and not being able to focus on a task at hand. However, such simplifications of symptoms of this disorder may lead to harmful misconceptions and, in many cases, a lack of a proper diagnosis and treatment. This specifically affects girls significantly more than boys, as boys are almost three times more likely to receive a diagnosis than girls.
Is there truly a notable difference?
Natalie Rosado, Mental Health Expert and Founder of Tampa Counseling Place, reveals that she has indeed noticed a difference in the diagnosis process of ADHD between girls and boys. Rosado notes that “boys with ADHD often display more externalizing behaviors such as hyperactivity and impulsivity, which can lead to earlier recognition and diagnosis. In contrast, girls with ADHD may exhibit more internalizing symptoms like inattention and disorganization, which can result in underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive assessment approach.”
Compared to the frequently noted symptoms of ADHD, including excessive physical movement and constant talking, different symptoms may manifest in females. Rosado states, “My experience has shown that, in young girls and older women, ADHD symptoms may manifest differently than stereotypical presentations. Look out for subtler signs such as excessive daydreaming, emotional dysregulation, chronic disorganization, and difficulties with time management or completing tasks, which may be overlooked but are indicative of ADHD in females. Additionally, be attentive to comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression, as they often accompany ADHD in girls and women, complicating the diagnostic process”.
What are the consequences of overlooking symptoms?
It is incredibly important to recognize possible differences in the way that ADHD manifests in children. Children who may be cast aside due to symptoms that differ from the “typical” presentation of ADHD may be significantly hindered by such an approach.
Those who are not properly diagnosed or assessed may be subject to a lifelong feeling of inadequacy and low self-confidence due to ADHD symptoms that make task completion and day-to-day life far more difficult.
In fact, untreated ADHD can have lifelong effects and risks, especially on young children who may be struggling to maintain focus during school. Studies report that as far as 58% of children who are untreated for their ADHD fail a grade at school, and as many as 30% of those kids fail to graduate at all.
As previously mentioned, ADHD often goes hand in hand with other conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which when left untreated would also significantly hinder the quality of someone’s life.
With a proper and timely diagnosis of ADHD, individuals would be far more likely to receive proper support and treatment that would set them up for success and provide an understanding as to how they might best function in any given environment.
How to recognize this issue and move forward
Recognizing symptoms of ADHD would often rely first on an individual’s immediate household or teachers. It is important for the understanding of this disorder to expand beyond the misconception that a child should only be brought in for help if they express symptoms of extreme hyperactivity and are physically unable to sit still.
A big part of recognizing this in a child is moving away from a gender bias, as girls are often expected to sit still and perform better in school. While a child may bring back report cards with good grades, that does not mean they are not internally struggling with managing the symptoms of their ADHD, an issue that will become harder with time and rising expectations.
Rosado’s recommendations to properly deal with such situations are to “promote open communication and destigmatizing discussions around mental health concerns, because this can encourage individuals, regardless of gender, to seek assessment and support for ADHD symptoms.”
In conclusion
If you or an individual seems to be struggling with any of the range of symptoms correlated with ADHD, it is never a bad idea to reach out to a professional for help, as a proper diagnosis and an understanding of the root of the problem would help avoid many issues both immediately as well as further down the line.
