Males are more likely to display hyperactive symptoms, which can be disruptive and bothersome to others. They tend to get it earlier.
Females might not show this inattentive behavior in a prominent way, so doctors could miss the condition.
In addition, females with ADHD may experience inattention symptoms more often in structured environments such as colleges, which can delay diagnosis. Females with ADHD may learn better ways to cope.
A Trusted Source 2018 study found that ADHD is more likely in women to manifest as anxiety and depression than in men.
Experts are more likely to confuse the symptoms of ADHD in women with other disorders such as personality or internalizing disorder. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnostic criteria
A single test is not available to diagnose ADHD. A doctor will diagnose ADHD after a thorough assessment. This assessment involves gathering information from informants such as teachers, parents, and caregivers.
For a child or teen to receive an ADHD diagnosis, they must exhibit six or more signs of inattention and hyperactivity or impulsivity. They should have been present for at least six months. These symptoms should be present in at least two settings, such as the home and school of the child. Several symptoms should appear before the child reaches 12 years.
According to a 2019 study, girls with ADHD may need to show more behavioral or emotional problems to be diagnosed.
In the same study, parents tend to underestimate hyperactivity in girls and their impairment while exaggerating it in boys.
A study from 2018 Trusted Source revealed that girls were more likely than boys to experience symptoms increasing in early adolescence. Boys, on the other hand, may have experienced symptoms since childhood. Doctors are more likely than not to exclude girls due to the age criteria.
Learn more about the people who can diagnose and treat ADHD.
Treatment of ADHD
The American Academy of Pediatrics Children’s (AAP)Trusted Source suggests therapy and parent education for children younger than six with ADHD. Children older than six should be treated with medication and behavior therapy.
Medical professionals treat ADHD patients with two types of medication: stimulants and non-stimulants.
ADHD is treated with stimulants, including amphetamines methylphenidate. Children who are anxious or cannot tolerate provocations will be prescribed non-stimulants by doctors. These include antidepressants, alpha-agonists and.
Learn more about ADHD medication here.
Treatments and gender differences
It does not vary by gender, but treatment recommendations are based on age.
Doctors prescribe significantly less medication to females than men with ADHD. Medical professionals are less likely than males to prescribe medicines to females unless the women have externalizing issues.
From 2003-2015, there has been a 344%Trusted source increase of females with private insurance filling their ADHD prescriptions. This data suggests that women are now receiving ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions.
Are medications effective?
Parents and clinicians in a study from 2015 Trusted Source reported that girls showed less severe symptoms after receiving methylphenidate. Teachers, however, said that only boys showed improvement.
These findings suggest the effectiveness of methylphenidate can vary depending on the setting, but also due to gender bias.
The fluctuating levels of progesterone, estrogen, and Trusted Source during the menstruation cycle may also influence the effects of stimulants.
Research is needed to determine the effectiveness of treatment and gender differences.
Summary
Both men and women can have ADHD. The prevalence of ADHD is very different between males and women.
Many factors can cause this. These include referral bias, differences between the symptoms of men and women, hormonal changes, and differences in comorbidity.
This can lead to misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis in females of ADHD, resulting in a delay or lack of treatment.
Parents, teachers, and medical professionals can detect ADHD in young girls by being more aware of the differences. This will allow them to get the correct diagnosis and treatment sooner.