How ADHD differs in Men and Women?

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, can present differently in men and women, and the symptoms and experiences can vary due to a combination of biological, social, and cultural factors. It's important to note that these are general trends, and individual experiences may differ.

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Diagnosis and Underdiagnosis

Women with ADHD are often underdiagnosed compared to men. This may be because women tend to display different symptoms, and their symptoms may be less noticeable or disruptive. Women with ADHD may often show internalising symptoms in comparison to male, leading to difficulties in diagnosis. [1]

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Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

Hyperactivity, a common symptom in ADHD, may be more prevalent in boys and men. Boys are often diagnosed with the more hyperactive-impulsive subtype of ADHD, while girls and women may exhibit the inattentive subtype, which is less disruptive and, therefore, less likely to lead to a diagnosis. However, women may internalize their impulsivity, resulting in behaviors like impulsive shopping, binge eating, or overthinking. The procrastinating behaviour may be associated with low expectancy of completing a task successfully and also increased level of impulsivity. 

Inattentive Symptoms

Women with ADHD are more likely to display inattentive symptoms, such as difficulty with focus, organization, and time management. They may be seen as forgetful or disorganized.

Emotional Regulation

Some studies suggest that women with ADHD may struggle more with emotional regulation than men with ADHD. They may experience mood swings, heightened emotional sensitivity, and a greater risk of developing mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

Coping Mechanisms

Both men and women try to manage their difficulties with ADHD symptoms by using audio-visual mode of learning, constant exposure of secondary stimuli (for eg- music) to focus on the primary or targeted one (while studying).  These coping skills help them manage their symptoms. However, they start experiencing procrastination, self esteem issues [3], recurrent negative thoughts when the current coping skills fail to address their difficulties due to the severity of stressful situations or the severity of the symptoms itself. 

Self-Esteem and quality of life [3] 

Some research has suggested that the impact of ADHD on self-esteem may vary between genders. A study published in the "Journal of Attention Disorders" in 2017 found that girls with ADHD had lower self-esteem than boys with ADHD. Girls with ADHD were more likely to internalize their struggles, leading to increased self-criticism and lower self-esteem. Studies also show that females are more likely to report lower quality of life. 

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Comorbid Conditions

Women with ADHD are more likely to have comorbid conditions, such as eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. On the other hand conduct disorder and antisocial personality disorder are common comorbidities for boys and men.  

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It's essential to understand these gender differences in ADHD to ensure that individuals, regardless of their gender, receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment. ADHD management should be personalized, taking into account the individual's specific symptoms and needs. If you suspect you or someone you know has ADHD, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and treatment plan.

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References

Fraticelli, S. (2022, July 1). Gender differences in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: an update of the current evidence. Rivista Di Psichiatria. https://www.rivistadipsichiatria.it/archivio/3855/articoli/38380/

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Young, S., Adamo, N., Ásgeirsdóttir, B. B., Branney, P., Beckett, M., Colley, W., Cubbin, S., Deeley, Q., Farrag, E., Gudjonsson, G., Hill, P., Hollingdale, J., Kilic, O., Lloyd, T., Mason, P., Paliokosta, E., Perecherla, S., Sedgwick, J., Skirrow, C., Tierney, K., … Woodhouse, E. (2020). Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women. BMC psychiatry, 20(1), 404. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9

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Cook, J., Knight, E., Hume, I., & Qureshi, A. (2014, March 26). The self-esteem of adults diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a systematic review of the literature. Adhd Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-014-0133-2