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ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is becoming increasingly researched.

Increased research into the condition means that we now have a better understanding of what it is and how it can affect people who live with it. This understanding encompasses how ADHD can impact people differently and how we can help support anyone struggling. One of the main differences in how we handle ADHD relates to gender. ADHD can present differently in girls, and they can experience it differently than in other genders.

To learn more about how girls experience ADHD and how we can use this information to help, read on for more details.

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Common misconceptions

A lot of people still think that ADHD is something that usually affects boys the most. This is untrue and is a harmful misconception that can hurt girls with the condition. Girls are much more likely to be overlooked due to these wrong beliefs.

Another common misconception held about ADHD is that it is a childhood problem. ADHD is a lifelong condition. Any child with it will continue to live with it for the duration of their lives, so it is important to help anyone with it to be diagnosed as early as possible. Understanding the cause behind their symptoms can help those with ADHD, and an early diagnosis means the learning process and support can be in place for longer.

How do girls experience ADHD differently?

While it is true that girls are just as likely to have ADHD as boys, it is also true that girls are much less likely to be diagnosed. This is partly due to how their symptoms present. Girls are not as likely to be hyperactive, which means that some of their symptoms are less likely to be noticed. Being more difficult to notice means that girls with ADHD often go undiagnosed for longer or may not even be diagnosed.

As well as not being as hyperactive as boys in many cases, girls also don’t tend to face the same problems with self-control. This is another factor that leads to fewer diagnoses for females with ADHD. These differences mean that girls are likely to be less disruptive in class and at home, even if they have ADHD.

What problems does ADHD present for females?

Girls with ADHD commonly struggle with attention. This is one of the fundamental symptoms of ADHD. Girls will often experience ADHD as difficulty with maintaining focus. On the outside, this could be seen as females who appear to be frequently distracted or are often in their world. This can sometimes be shortened to ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder. Doctors can sometimes also discuss it as ADHD without hyperactivity.

When it comes to children, the absence of the hyperactive element means they are less likely to stand out and be noticed than those with the hyperactivity element. While ADD still presents a lot of struggles and challenges, they are easier to miss since they aren’t so visually obvious, to begin with. This difficulty with recognition and diagnosis further challenges females with ADHD. Often, girls are labeled daydreamers and are commonly seen as lazy due to their troubles with focus. Those who go on undiagnosed can also face the further problem of missing out on treatment and other help that could improve their experience living with ADHD.

Hyperactivity in girls

As previously mentioned, girls are less likely to exhibit hyperactivity. However, this does not mean they don’t experience it at all. It is still possible for girls to have this element of ADHD. However, it could appear differently. Some girls may be considered extra sensitive or over-emotional. Alternatively, you might find that girls with ADHD tend to interrupt conversations or are much more talkative than others with the condition. Generally, this becomes less of a problem as the ADHD sufferer grows, independent of gender. However, struggles with focus, maintaining attention, and controlling impulses are all things that are likely to carry on into adulthood for those with ADHD.

ADHD and perfectionism

Another reason why girls with ADHD may often go undiagnosed is the tendency towards perfectionism and coping skills. Girls will frequently put more energy into particular things they are good at and so will appear successful in that area. This success can make it easy to overlook how they are having difficulty in other areas. For example, some without ADHD who are particularly skilled mathematicians may put a lot of time into improving math skills and working on this area. In contrast, their performance in other areas, such as science, may suffer. Neglecting other homework or chores may indicate that there is still difficulty despite great grades or results in one area. This mindset can be harmful as it creates stress and pressure around achieving great success and even perfectionism in the areas they are skilled.

Social pressure

For many children with ADHD, one of the key struggles is interacting with others and creating a network of friends. Girls with ADHD also have difficulty with this fairly often, and the social world for females can be even tougher to navigate than it is for others with the condition. Girls are often expected to be more sensitive to the emotions and feelings of their friends or feel like they need to notice small social cues, which is something those with ADHD are likely to have trouble with.

Additionally, females with ADHD commonly face difficulties with low self-esteem. They may struggle with feeling shame and even put the blame for their problems on themselves. For example, failing a test for a girl is likely to result in thoughts that she is not intelligent enough rather than the blame falling on outside factors like the teacher or an especially tough exam paper.

What to do

If you want to continue to learn more about ADHD and how it differs for females, there are a lot more resources you can explore. Whether you want to help those you know who have ADHD or you think you might have it yourself, the best things to consider are how the symptoms can affect you at various ages. This is something that can help you to work out if you do have ADHD. You could also look into ADHD evaluations and how they work to ensure you are prepared if you decide to go to a doctor and seek a diagnosis. If you think you have ADHD, this is always the best idea to ensure that you have access to any available support and help, no matter what stage of life you are at.