Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsADHD in ChildrenSymptoms of ADHD in BoysSymptoms of ADHD in GirlsWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
ADHD in Children
Symptoms of ADHD in Boys
Symptoms of ADHD in Girls
When to Seek Care
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood. Symptoms of ADHD affect males and females differently. People with ADHD typically exhibit behaviors of impulsiveness and hyperactivity, inattentiveness, or a combination that may persist into adulthood.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2019, about 6.1 million children (9.8%) in the United States had an ADHD diagnosis (13% in males, 6% in females).Researchers note that the difference is likely due to ADHD presenting differently in females, which may lead to their condition being underdiagnosed.
This article will explain how the symptoms of ADHD differ in females and males, and when to talk to your healthcare provider.
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ADHD is typicallyclassified into three categories:
An ADHD diagnosis is based on these types and behaviors. The ADHD symptoms must be ongoing and affect the ability to function in day-to-day life.
Several studies have shown that up to 80% of children with ADHD will continue to have ADHD symptoms into adulthood, though this statistic varies widely from study to study.
Symptoms can also change over time. Outward hyperactivity in children may turn to inner restlessness in adults, for example.
ADHD Criteria for Diagnosis
ADHD in Boys vs. Girls
Males are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood far more often than females, but the difference is less in adults. Researchers believe this is likely due to an underdiagnosis of females rather than ADHD being more common in males.
There are a number of likely reasons for this discrepancy:
In general, males with ADHD are more likely to have symptoms and behaviors that are more disruptive and, therefore, more noticeable. Not only does this have a “squeaky wheel” effect, but it reinforces the stereotype of a child with ADHD being a male who “acts up” in class and is constantly on the go.
Because females with ADHD are usually less disruptive, it may not be as obvious that they are struggling. Daydreaming is not going to raise flags that are difficult to miss or ignore like frequent interrupting or the inability to stay seated.
Even when females do show similar symptoms as males, ADHD may be missed or minimized because they don’t fit the mental picture of a typical child with ADHD.
Two studies were performed in which teachers were given brief ADHD-like descriptions, but the names and pronouns of the child attached to them were varied. The teachers in the studies were more likely to suggest the child be referred for additional support and be better suited fortreatmentwhen the description had male names and pronouns.
FemalesLow self-esteemAnxietyAcademic underachievementInattentivenessNeeding extra help with homeworkProblems with executive functioningTrouble listeningMalesImpulsivityOveractive or aggressive behaviorDifficulty sitting/staying stillTalking excessivelyInterrupting others (conversations, activities, etc.)Source:The Drake Institute of Neurophysical Medicine
FemalesLow self-esteemAnxietyAcademic underachievementInattentivenessNeeding extra help with homeworkProblems with executive functioningTrouble listening
Low self-esteem
Anxiety
Academic underachievement
Inattentiveness
Needing extra help with homework
Problems with executive functioning
Trouble listening
MalesImpulsivityOveractive or aggressive behaviorDifficulty sitting/staying stillTalking excessivelyInterrupting others (conversations, activities, etc.)
Impulsivity
Overactive or aggressive behavior
Difficulty sitting/staying still
Talking excessively
Interrupting others (conversations, activities, etc.)
Source:The Drake Institute of Neurophysical Medicine
How the ADHD Brain Is Wired Differently
While males can exhibit symptoms of inattention, they are more likely than females to show impulsive and hyperactive behaviors instead of or in addition to the inattentive ones.
Impulsive and hyperactive symptoms include:
Male children and adults are more likely to display externalizing (outward) behavior and have comorbid (co-occurring) conditions. These can include:
Female children can have impulsive and hyperactive type ADHD, but more often they show symptoms of inattentive type.
Inattentive symptoms include:
Female children and adults tend to have internalized symptoms, such as:
Late or Missed Diagnosis
When an ADHD diagnosis is late or is missed in females, and support is not given, they repeatedly have experiences of perceived failure, alienation, and inadequacy, which they frequently interpret as personal flaws rather than ADHD. This increases the risk of developing comorbid conditions such as:
Many females are only diagnosed with ADHD as adults when they learn more about ADHD in general and how it presents in females. Some describe it as a light bulb moment, or as if they are checking off a list when looking at common tendencies of females with ADHD.
When looking back, most females who are diagnosed with ADHD as adults can identify experiences and behaviors in their childhoods that are examples of ADHD, though the condition wasn’t recognized at the time.
ADHD Across All GendersWhile researchers are becoming more aware of and interested in differences between cisgender males andcisgenderfemales when it comes to ADHD, there is a lack of studies in people with ADHD who do not fit this gender binary.More research needs to be done to understand how ADHD affects all genders, not just cisgender people.
ADHD Across All Genders
While researchers are becoming more aware of and interested in differences between cisgender males andcisgenderfemales when it comes to ADHD, there is a lack of studies in people with ADHD who do not fit this gender binary.More research needs to be done to understand how ADHD affects all genders, not just cisgender people.
While researchers are becoming more aware of and interested in differences between cisgender males andcisgenderfemales when it comes to ADHD, there is a lack of studies in people with ADHD who do not fit this gender binary.
More research needs to be done to understand how ADHD affects all genders, not just cisgender people.
What Are the Signs of ADHD in Adults?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
With support, ADHD can be managed. Getting an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment as early as possible can go a long way in terms of helping kids with ADHD function well both as children and into adulthood.
If you or your child’s teachers notice signs of any type of ADHD, regardless of their gender, see their healthcare provider to discuss next steps.
Watching for SymptomsIt can sometimes be difficult to notice ADHD symptoms, particularly inattentive type. Even if you have a child with ADHD or have ADHD yourself, you could have another child with ADHD who presents differently.Knowing the symptoms of the different types of ADHD can give you an idea of what to look for.
Watching for Symptoms
It can sometimes be difficult to notice ADHD symptoms, particularly inattentive type. Even if you have a child with ADHD or have ADHD yourself, you could have another child with ADHD who presents differently.Knowing the symptoms of the different types of ADHD can give you an idea of what to look for.
It can sometimes be difficult to notice ADHD symptoms, particularly inattentive type. Even if you have a child with ADHD or have ADHD yourself, you could have another child with ADHD who presents differently.
Knowing the symptoms of the different types of ADHD can give you an idea of what to look for.
Summary
ADHD is diagnosed more often in males, but research suggests that females may be under-diagnosed. That’s because ADHD can manifest differently in males than in females. Males tend to have impulsive, hyperactive, and externalized traits. Females tend to have inattentive, internalized traits.
Because of these and other factors, females are generally diagnosed at older ages than males, often in adulthood. Females are also less likely than males to be sent for referrals for support or treatment. Research is needed on the effects of ADHD on people who are not cisgender.
10 Sources
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics about ADHD.
American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?
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Slobodin O, Davidovitch M.Gender differences in objective and subjective measures of adhd among clinic-referred children.Front Hum Neurosci. 2019;13:441. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2019.00441
Mowlem F, Agnew-Blais J, Taylor E, Asherson P.Do different factors influence whether girls versus boys meet ADHD diagnostic criteria? Sex differences among children with high ADHD symptoms.Psychiatry Res. 2019;272:765-773. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.128
Child Mind Institute.How girls with ADHD are different.
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