Attention Deficit Disorder in women: an overlooked diagnosis

Attention Deficit Disorder in Women

It is not uncommon for attention deficit disorder to go undiagnosed in women. Women, particularly in childhood, tend to have less socially disruptive symptoms than males do. Therefore, the concerns are often not noticed until adulthood when a woman is often trying to manage a complex family schedule, daily tasks at home, a social life, and a career. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls (13% vs. 6%). However, research suggests that this disparity is not because boys are more susceptible but instead because girls are consistently underdiagnosed. This gap narrows in adulthood, but still, women tend to be older than men when symptoms are recognized and diagnosed.

Women are more likely to display inattentive ADHD.

ADHD comes in three types: inattentive, hyperactive, and combined type. Whereas men often display hyperactivity, women are more likely to demonstrate lack of focus, trouble with organization, losing items, lack of attention to detail, trouble listening, and procrastination. They may report difficulty with decision making and feeling overwhelmed with decision making. Many women have developed systems in adulthood to combat these struggles, such as a carry-all bag that goes with them everywhere, a planner that they “live and die” by and grocery delivery services.

Coexisting anxiety and depression are prominent in female patients with ADHD.

These co-morbidities often result in missed or misdiagnosis. It makes sense that a female would feel anxious when each day she is presented with a series of obligations that feel overwhelming. Similarly, depressed emotions occur when low self-esteem develops as she feels that she is failing at tasks or family and co-workers become overly critical about unfinished tasks and lack of organization. If a practitioner does not take the time to listen carefully to the patient’s story, anxiety may appear to be the prominent diagnosis and lack of concentration and focus could be easily attributed to the anxiety. The treatments for anxiety may help but are often underwhelming since the root cause of the anxiety has not been addressed.

Treatment of ADHD.

Just having clarity in a diagnosis can be helpful in feeling validated. This diagnosis comes with its challenges, but it also comes with some beautiful strengths such as high energy, creativity, ability to hyperfocus on enjoyable tasks, and a spontaneous fun-loving personality. Treatment with pharmacotherapy can be very helpful, but there is an art in finding a treatment that is beneficial but still allows the patient to experience these unique strengths that have been formative in her development. Medications include stimulant type medications as well as non-stimulants that work with various neurotransmitters.

Exploring this diagnosis and other mood disorders takes time. Long visit times are a key feature of the patient experience that we offer at LBMD & Associates. Schedule a complimentary meet and greet to learn more about primary care treatment options available to women, men, and adolescents.

Sources:

https://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/neurodevelopmental/adhd/review-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-women/