ADHD :Two Paths, One Diagnosis
As mentioned before, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often stereotyped as a condition that primarily affects young boys, which is very outdated. While this may describe some with ADHD it does not cover all with ADHD, and can be harmful to have this view when in a position of power, for example teachers. Being told, by a teacher, your daughter cannot possibly have ADHD because she’s not withdrawn, didn’t fill me with confidence that they knew what they were talking about.
Diagnosis
In reality, ADHD can present differently from person to person. According to statistics more boys are diagnosed with hyperactivity and girls with inattentive ADHD. However, that does not mean that because a female is ‘bouncing off the walls’ it must be something other than ADHD. This lack of knowledge may be the case for why so many females are diagnosed later in their lives when compared to boys. Yet this can have major impacts for the person who is awaiting either referral or diagnosis because they don’t fit into the stereotypical gender norm for ADHD. It is essential that all with ADHD receive the support they need from a young age.
Well known now but not always, ADHD has long been underdiagnosed in females. This isn’t because they have it less often, research suggests this gender spread could be more even than first thought and the combined subtype of ADHD accounts for 50% to 75% of cases overall.
Childhood
In early childhood, some children are constantly on the move, interrupting others, taking physical risks, and having trouble with authority. Teachers may recognise this as ADHD and help may be put into place sooner. While other children maybe daydreaming more than others, disorganised and and anxious and their struggles can be dismissed as personality traits or immaturity. As a result some, mainly girls, can fly under the ADHD radar, until adolescence or even adulthood.
Teens
Puberty brings hormonal shifts, for both male and female. Increased pressures with academics, social dynamics and the giving of more responsibilities. For young people with ADHD, this can be an especially turbulent time, especilly for those who are either undiagnosed or unmedicatied
Behavioral Issues Intensify– Those with ADHD struggle with respect for authority, they’re well known to have a strong sense of justice and if they think they’ve been hard done to – you’ll know about it.
Academic performance – As school life becomes more intense, for our young people with ADHD, this can be extremely difficult, consentrating on different subjects, focus on exams and such. This can lead to them falling behind and not getting expected grades.
Relationships – Relationships with peers and family can become strained due to a range of things. Some friends may not understand the pressure that ADHD has on the person and how certain situations may make them feel. Masking can become an issue (and extremely draining), the regulatory behaviours that the person expressed in childhood and no-one thought much of- can become more obvious and out of the ordinary as a teen. Relationships between parents and teenagers will always be a strain (probly because parents are so uncool) but for young people with ADHD their parents may want them to take things a little slower. Such as going out on their own, is out ADHD person capable of crossing the road and not getting distracted?
Risk-taking behavior – While not just related to ADHD, we are aware that risky behaviour can start during the teen years, and often either experimenting or peer pressured into substance use, alcohol, skipping school and other such behaviours. Said to be more common with boys, however not limited to boys.
Emotional Challenges – ADHD Teens all have some emotional challenges along the way, yet the way it is expressed can be different. While some girls reaction may be more emotional, compared to boys turning to a state of aggression, is is not always the case. Many girls begin to internalize their feelings of being different to peers, because they can’t keep up, which can, sometimes, lead to social withdrawal, eating disorders, or perfectionism as a coping mechanism.Unfortunately, again for some girls because the symptoms appear different (emotional rather than behavioral), many are diagnosed with anxiety or depression, missing the root cause entirely.
Adulthood
By adulthood, the presentation of ADHD in both genders can change again but the effects of years of unmanaged symptoms and the potential effects this has had on their mental health can be hard to work through. The added reposnibilities and social expectations can strain life as a ADHD adult. Organization, time management, following through on tasks, working, parenting, managing a household can be very difficult and eventually, many reach a breaking point, that leads to a diagnosis that reframes their life experience.
Men – As society often expects men to be providers, the shame of underperformance can lead to anger and frustration.
Women- The mental load of managing a household, career, and social expectations, and children can easily become overwhelming. According to research women with ADHD are more likely to mask their ADHD to appear functional. This can look like staying up late to finish work, meticulously organizing or constantly self-monitoring in social situations.
Why Do These Differences Matter
Recognizing how ADHD affects males and females differently is crucial for:
Diagnosis: Understanding gendered symptoms can be very helpful, yet being aware of ADHD as a whole is important to prevent any misdiagnosis or delayed treatment
Support: Interventions need to consider emotional and behavioural challenges can occur in both sexes.
Reducing stigma: ADHD isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. Raising awareness of its diverse presentations helps fight stereotypes and promotes empathy.
More Inclusive Understanding
As knowledge of ADHD is evolving and it is better understood across the lifespan. Outdated stereotypes can be challenged and more compassionate systems can be built. ADHD can present differently in males and females, and also males to males. It is diverse. Better education on ADHD as a whole, for people working with young minds could make a huge difference to the lives of many people.
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