Delving into the distinct ways ADHD manifests in men and women shines a light on why a one-size-fits-all approach just doesn't cut it. Guys often deal with the more noticeable sides of ADHD—think running on a never-ending battery, finding it tough to stay put, and blurting out thoughts without a filter (ADHD Hyperactive/Impulsive type). This makes spotting ADHD in boys a bit easier, leading to more diagnoses in childhood.
Girls, on the flip side, might fly under the radar with their ADHD because it's all about the stuff that's harder to see—forgetting things, disorganization, and avoiding mentally demanding tasks (ADHD inattentive type). These issues often get missed, because if you don’t take a hard look and ask the right questions, these symptoms are virtually invisible. It is significantly more common for ADHD to be diagnosed much later in a girl’s life as compared to boys.
When it comes to the impact all this has, it's like men and women are dealing with two different worlds. Men might find themselves butting heads in school or feeling out of sync with those around them because their ADHD tends to be much more visible. Women go through years of dealing with their symptoms unnoticed. This can ultimately lead to an erosion in self esteem.
Screening tests are a good first step in trying to understand if you have ADHD symptoms. The Adult ADHD Self Report Scale is commonly used here and can be a good start to the diagnostic process, which should include meeting with a prescriber for a full psychiatric history and gathering information from others who have witnessed your symptoms first hand.
Dr. Mefford treats ADHD and related disorders across the state of South Carolina via telemedicine. His office is located in Mount Pleasant, SC. He sees people from all areas of South Carolina including Charleston, Hilton Head, Beaufort, Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Rock Hill.
