ADHD is an increasing burden of psychiatric disease for our paediatric population with a reported greater prevalence amongst male patients. The skewed gender distribution of the disorder has been widely varied due to differing diagnostic criteria, terminology and research methodology.
Males are generally more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than females, with a male to female ratio of approximately 4:1 in community samples. In the DSM-IV field trials, the sex ratio varied across subtypes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , 12.9% of men and boys live with ADHD compared to 5.6% of women and girls. But women and girls may be affected more than these statistics suggest.
Females with ADHD are reported to have fewer hyperactive/impulsive symptoms and more inattentive symptoms when compared with males with ADHD [3,8,9]. Further, females with ADHD present more commonly with the inattentive subtype than do boys [10].
As males tend to exhibit hyperactive symptoms that may be bothersome and disruptive to others, they tend to receive a diagnosis earlier than females. Meanwhile, females may not display this inattentive behavior prominently so doctors may miss the condition.
Can someone with ADHD fall in love? While all kinds of people can fall in love, the experience of people with ADHD falling in love can be more intense for them. This is because the person with ADHD can hyperfocus on the person they are in love with.
Men with ADHD may feel bombarded with constant critiques of their underperformance at home and at work. The struggle to become reliable in the face of distraction and planning problems causes many men to retreat from conflict. This may lead to cover-up behavior, like lying, and being emotionally distant.
In fact, experts believe clinicians often miss ADHD in girls, for a few key reasons: they more often have internalized (and less noticeable) symptoms. they're more likely to use coping strategies that help hide their symptoms. parents and teachers are less likely to refer girls for diagnosis and treatment.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often thought of as a "boys' disorder" because it's nearly twice as common in boys as girls. But it's important to note that ADHD can look different in girls. That's because of the different ways girls' and boys' brains develop and where their focuses lie.
People living with ADHD may question their gender identity or experience gender dysphoria more often than people without ADHD. But there's no evidence to support a direct cause-and-effect relationship between ADHD and gender nonconformity.
Boys (13%) are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls (6%). Black, non-Hispanic children and White, non-Hispanic children are more often diagnosed with ADHD (12% and 10%, respectively), than Hispanic children (8%) or Asian, non-Hispanic children (3%).
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children.
Doctors more commonly diagnose ADHD in male children than female children. The CDC reports that doctors diagnosed around 13% of boys with DHD in 2016–2019, whereas only 6% of girls received the same diagnosis. This has led many people to mistakenly believe that ADHD is a “boys' disorder” that rarely occurs in girls.
Girls are also less likely to be diagnosed earlier because they often display more symptoms of anxiety. Medical providers may only treat a female patient's anxiety or depression without evaluating for ADHD. Hormones, which affect the symptoms of both ADHD and anxiety, can complicate things.
ADHDgender. ADHDgender or ADDgender (both names may be separate depending on the individual) is a label for those who's ADHD or ADD is affects their gender and/or gender experience in some way.
Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child's circumstances change, such as when they start school. Most cases are diagnosed when children are under 12 years old, but sometimes it's diagnosed later in childhood.
In girls, ADHD is often referred to as a “hidden disorder.” Most girls with ADHD have what's called the “inattentive” type. This means they have problems focusing, but are not hyperactive or impulsive. Even girls who are hyperactive or impulsive have less obvious symptoms than boys.
ADHD and Gender
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , boys are three times more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis than girls. This disparity isn't necessarily because girls are less susceptible to the disorder. Rather, it's likely because ADHD symptoms present differently in girls.
ADHD in Girls: Recognizing Key Symptoms
exhibiting silliness or apparent ditziness. acting shy or inattentive. trouble maintaining friendships. picking at cuticles or skin.
Partners diagnosed with ADHD share many of the same frustrations as their non-ADHD counterparts. They feel misunderstood and unloved. They get angry when their partners criticize them a lot. They worry when their relationship breaks down because of their disorganization and distractibility.
Getting an accurate diagnosis enables them to find and start an effective treatment plan, which is life-changing. A failure to recognize these behaviors, especially when they're severe, can lead to a missed diagnosis of ADHD.
A comparison with DNA from unaffected patients showed an abnormality in the sequences. Thayer's study shows that the ADHD group of children had larger and more frequent variations. Fathers with ADHD will pass this code discrepancy to offspring. Barkley explains that the heritability of ADHD runs around 80 percent.
Symptoms of ADHD that can cause relationship problems
If you have ADHD, you may zone out during conversations, which can make your partner feel ignored and devalued. You may also miss important details or mindlessly agree to something you don't remember later, which can be frustrating to your loved one. Forgetfulness.
For many people affected by ADHD, key symptoms like inattention, forgetfulness, and disorganization negatively affect their relationships. The partners without ADHD can misinterpret their partners' intentions, resulting in increased frustration and resentment.