When you ask women and men about their lived experiences with ADHD, you are likely to find some striking differences.
See also: Men with ADHD
Unique factors make girls’ experience with ADHD different: including psychological risks, eating disorders, and general inattentiveness.
Sleep disorders are common in ADHD and may be more frequent in women. Poor sleep worsens ADHD symptoms, and ADHD can negatively impact sleep.
Women with ADHD often show more inattentiveness than hyperactivity, leading to issues like distraction and tardiness, increasing risk of anxiety and self-harm.
Research has found that the symptoms of ADHD in males and females are more alike than different. But when you ask men and women about their lived experiences with ADHD, you are likely to find some striking differences.
ADHD symptoms are sometimes uncovered when women reach their mid-40s and older. Dr. Brown talks about the role changing hormones play in executive function.
Many parents, and aunts and uncles, will begin to look at their own life’s history when their child has been diagnosed with ADHD. They recognize the symptoms of ADHD have been present in their own lives and may be the cause of some of their experiences and struggles. It’s common for parents and family members to seek their own evaluation when a child is first diagnosed with ADHD. J. Faye Dixon, PhD gives some pointers.
