The most ignored signs of ADHD in girls and women explained by the psychologist

The NHS has been given approval to start using a new digital test to speed up the diagnosis of ADHD in children and young people. The assessment focuses on the three key characteristics of ADHD: distractibility, impulsivity, and restlessness.

Around 1-9% of UK school-aged children are diagnosed with ADHD. However, symptoms often go unrecognized in girls.

As a result, many women often go undiagnosed for decades. This was the case for actor Sheridan Smith and singer Lily Allen, who were diagnosed later in life.

Dr Elena Touroni, consultant psychologist and co-founder of the Chelsea Psychology Clinic, highlighted the most commonly missed signs of ADHD in girls and women. She also provided insight into the challenges of identifying ADHD in women compared to men, and how a delayed diagnosis can affect careers and mental well-being.

What are the most? treated superficially signs of adhd in girls?

People with ADD and ADHD may experience difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and acting on impulse. These obstacles usually start during childhood, although some may not be diagnosed until they are adults.

ADHD in girls can look like this:

• dreaming quietly in class
• feeling anxious or sad
• showing stupidity or apparent giddiness
• acting shy or inattentive
• trouble maintaining friendships
• tightening of cuticles or skin
• being a perfectionist

ADHD in women can look like this:

• failure to pay close attention to detail or careless mistakes in activities
• trouble maintaining attention on tasks
• not following instructions and failing to complete tasks (such as: loss of concentration, deviance)
• problems in organizing tasks and activities
• easily distracted
• forgetfulness in daily activities
• internalizing symptoms, including mood and anxiety

In general, ADHD symptoms may include struggling with attention to detail, difficulty completing school or work tasks, disorganization, restlessness, agitation or hyperactivity, excessive talking, impatience, and impulsivity. ADHD can cause problems with impulse control, emotional regulation, anger management, substance abuse, eating problems, and sleep disturbances.

ADHD can affect an individual’s schooling, work, daily tasks, social connections, and overall well-being. ADHD or ADD is estimated to be found in approximately 4-5% of adults, with women often not being adequately recognized for the condition.

You are more likely to have ADHD if:

• A close family member has been diagnosed with ADHD
• You have epilepsy
• You have a neurodevelopmental disorder eg autism, tic disorder, learning difficulties/difficulties
• You have another mental condition
• You have a history of substance abuse or eating disorders

If you often struggle to stay focused or experience any of the symptoms listed above, it may be beneficial to seek help. Before receiving a diagnosis, it is important to consult with a professional to determine if ADHD is a factor.

Why is ADHD harder to detect in girls and women?

Dr Touroni says: “Research has shown that boys are much more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. When there is a hyperactive child or a child with behavioral problems, there is a bias in identifying ADHD in boys compared to girls. .

“ADHD is not harder to spot in women than in men – it is much more about the assumptions we make about women and how we understand female behaviour.

“With girls, there might be a different interpretation of their particular symptoms, such as inattention and hyperactivity, because it tends to be seen as part of their personality and might not necessarily be associated with ADHD. It’s very much about perception.

“We saw this across a whole range of psychiatric diagnoses where something might be diagnosed more frequently in men than in women. This is not because the symptoms each gender displays are different, but because of a social bias in how we understand the behavior of the different. genres”.

The health expert says it can come down to parents as well as teachers and educational institutions being more likely to miss it in girls or having to be much more severe in presenting it for it to be identified in young girls.

She added: “Young girls may also be better at masking it and developing coping strategies and workarounds so that they are better at conforming to social norms and better able to compensate for their inattention. This may mean that ADHD is more likely to have been missed.

“The threshold for diagnosing ADHD appears to be much higher in women than in men because of the different social assumptions we make about male and female behavior.”

What is the new NHS test?

The new test from QbTest is used to help assess ADHD and evaluate different treatments for people with the condition when combined with a standard clinician assessment. The results are compared with those of age-matched non-ADHD patients.

The QbTest usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. QbTest costs £23 to £96 per assessment (excluding VAT).

What effect can a late diagnosis have?

The impact of not having a diagnosis is quite significant, says Dr. Touroni. She explains that this is because there are likely to be many implications for education if someone is underperforming due to inattention, hyperactivity, or both.

“It also contributes to the development of low self-esteem if you perceive your disability as something that is intrinsic and characteristic of your personality, rather than a biological condition,” she said.

“There are a lot of educational and mental health consequences of not getting a diagnosis. ADHD in women is associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety, as well as self-harm.

“There are also career consequences, as educational performance will shape one’s ability to believe in oneself and can have many implications for career progression.

“One caveat is that some people with ADHD can experience it almost as a superpower because they are able to be very busy and active and juggle multiple responsibilities in a way that is almost very difficult for people who are neurotypical.

“So some women, if they’ve been able to find a career that fits their ADHD characteristics, can really thrive because the way their brains work is actually a huge asset.”

Dr. Touroni concludes by saying that ADHD isn’t just about deficits—it can come with extraordinary strengths. But being aware of it at a diagnostic level can be extremely helpful as you understand how your mind works and how to use those strengths and abilities and find a career fit.