ADHD in Women

Hi, ladies!

I wanted to take the time to write a little about a topic that's become very important to me. I've recently learned that a lot of women who actively display ADHD symptoms never receive a diagnosis due to diagnostic criteria mostly being based on how ADHD presents in men. Over the past year, I have been struggling with severe procrastination and lack of focus, but because I always complete tasks on time and keep an appearance of having everything together, I wasn't taken seriously when I tried to voice these concerns. When my therapist suggested that I may be experiencing ADHD, I took a deeper dive into the symptoms, and this is how I discovered that in some ways, ADHD presents differently in women than it does in men. However, historically, most of the diagnostic criteria has been based off of studies done with men, leaving gaps in the research for how women are impacted. I think there's a lot to be said about the fact that many women go undiagnosed and untreated because of the lack of conversation and research surrounding ADHD in women within mental health fields. That's why I think it's super important to educate yourself on mental illness and be in tune with your mental health so you can be your own advocate if no one else will be. 

What are some common ADHD symptoms in women?

While there are many other symptoms, here are a few common ones that often go unrecognized because they tend to appear in women: 

Why are women often overlooked in ADHD diagnoses?

-In childhood, girls are more likely to display inattentive ADHD, rather than the hyperactive type, which boys typically display. This means their symptoms are not usually 'disruptive' to the class and are therefore less likely to be taken notice of.

-Due to overlapping symptom presentation with mood disorders and lack of knowledge about ADHD symptoms present in women, many women are often misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression.

-Women are more likely to display masking behaviors to meet societal expectations, often resulting in perfectionism or high-functioning performance, which makes symptoms less noticeable to others. 

-Fluctuations in hormones may change severity of symptoms at certain times, leading to confusion over the seriousness of the struggle. 

Thoughts & Reflection

I want to open up the conversation to you all and hear your thoughts on this issue! If you struggle with ADHD, what did/does your journey towards a diagnosis look like? Have you had to be your own advocate in any way? I would love to hear your stories below! Also, if you have any thoughts on this topic in general or on the impact of the gender difference, I would love to hear that as well! :)