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The NHS has recently given the green light to an online test aimed at diagnosing ADHD in children, a move designed to tackle the backlog of pending diagnoses. Despite the increasing number of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnoses, it is predominantly boys and men who are identified as having the condition, rather than women and girls.
Dr Janina Maschke, a cognitive psychologist and ADHD coach, highlighted that symptoms can manifest differently in women, with much of our understanding of the condition stemming from studies on men. Symptoms such as shyness, sensitivity to noise, and emotional volatility, often dismissed as typical female traits, could be indicative of ADHD.
It’s not uncommon for women and girls to be told their ‘ADHD signs’ are merely symptoms of anxiety, depression or menstrual-related issues. Men are diagnosed with ADHD three times more frequently than women, and some studies suggest that 75% of women with ADHD remain undiagnosed, according to MailOnline.
In a conversation with Newsweek, Dr Maschke listed 15 lesser-known ADHD symptoms that women often overlook or suppress. These include appearing withdrawn and shy, being emotionally volatile, frequently daydreaming, being talkative but a poor listener, seeming unmotivated, being sensitive to noise or fabrics, taking longer to process information, slamming doors, being easily distracted, making careless mistakes and often interrupting others or blurting out words.
Individuals with ADHD often struggle to deal with unexpected noises, smells or touches, and may have difficulty maintaining focus, organising, remembering things, being punctual, completing tasks, and frequently shifting focus. They are also prone to making ‘careless’ mistakes, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Women with ADHD often find it challenging to form friendships and may develop eating disorders, while men are more likely to develop addictive personalities.
