By: Samira Garland & Halimah Roache
November 20, 2023
conception and initiation.pdfA chart of common symptoms between women with ADHD.
Across the country, women with ADHD are often overlooked when it comes to diagnosis. While research shows that ADHD is higher in men, there’s evidence that there are more women with ADHD than previously assumed.
The identification of ADHD is mainly associated with the inability to stay still and being extremely animated. But in women and girls, ADHD symptoms can vary within executive functioning skills and are less evident.
“Difficulty with time management, a lot of time blindness is common. Sometimes, regulating emotions, forgetfulness, lack of organization” Psychologist Kameil Nicholson explained.
These symptoms can even be mistaken and misdiagnosed for other disorders, such as anxiety or autism, because of the misconception that ADHD is only for boys with behavioral problems. Professionals commonly look past the possibility that a girl could have ADHD.
“It likely will be misdiagnosed often times as anxiety. Especially because with women and girls, people don’t consider ADHD as a primary possible diagnosis. But with men they will, especially young boys” Kameil said.
ADHD can affect relationships with family and friends, because ADHD can lead to a lack of confidence, which can affect a person's ability to form and maintain relationships.
“Self esteem is a big piece. You may start to think ‘what’s wrong with me?’ There might be some consequences or repercussions or punishments and things like that due to your struggle” Kameil said.
Girls with ADHD’s behavior can be misinterpreted as “unladylike” and character flaws, instead of what it actually is; ADHD. Their struggles in the workplace and school are also misunderstood.
ADHD Symptoms in Women.pdfDifferent types of ADHD and their symptoms. Majority of women have Inattentive ADHD, or ADHD-I.
”ADHD causes me to be distracted easily while trying to work or listen to my teachers. It causes me to procrastinate a lot, which leads me to forgetting to do my work. It also to have very low patience with people, or things in general.” Student Aniyah Curry said.
To assist in functioning throughout life with ADHD, some girls may choose to take medication such as Ritalin, Adderall, or many other options. But, some may choose not to take medication.
“It boils down to personal choice. An individual can decide to be medicated or not medicated. Medications work great for some people. Other people didn’t like the side effects of them, so they’ve chosen to discontinue. It’s really about personal choice as to how you want to manage ADHD.” Special Ed teacher Jennifer Giblin said.
People with ADHD get a lot of support from family and friends also while being in school.
“Administrators and counselors I've worked with have done a really good job supporting both males and females with ADHD. The parents have been important as well and they've done the best they can do in the past” Mr. Dougherty, a teacher at Carver High School, commented.
Many people who work with, live with, and attend school with girls and women with ADHD know that it’s not an easygoing process.
”Follow your gut. You know you best, and you know when something’s not quite right. Be your own advocate. Don’t necessarily take ‘no’ for an answer. Get a second and third opinion.” Kameil advises.
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