Many people might thing that only boys and men have ADHD/ADD. Most may simply associate ADHD hyperactivity, which is more commonly seen in boys with the disorder. However, girls and women are just as likely to have ADHD as boys and men are.
Yes, women and girls do have ADHD/ADD. I should know, as I am woman with ADHD/ADD, who was diagnosed at age 12. And I know I’m not the only woman and girl, who has and struggles with ADHD/ADD. There are many of us out there.
There is something that we have to keep in mind, though. Hyperactivity isn’t the only symptom of ADHD/ADD. Girls and women generally tend to have the inattentive type. There are a few, who do have hyperactivity, but most tend to fall in the inattentive category. I am one of those who fall in the inattentive category. This is sometimes why girls and women, and even boys/men, who have the inattentive ADHD/ADD, fall under the radar a bit.
Whether someone has the inattentive or hyperactive type, ADHD/ADD presents itself differently in boys/men and girls/women. We may all have the same disorder, but the symptoms affects us differently. We don’t all have the same symptoms. Even those with the hyperactive type, girls may react differently than their male counterparts.
And although girls/women tend to fall more in the inattentive category, this doesn’t mean that boys/men don’t fall in this same category. They don’t always have the hyperactive type and sometimes do have the inattentive type. Generally, it’s women/girls who have the inattentive type.
This is the interesting about ADHD/ADD. It isn’t a “one-size fits all” kind of thing. Even if we look at women/girls, who have the inattentive type. My symptoms and my ADHD may different from another woman with the same type of ADHD. Just because we both have the inattentive type of ADHD, it might affect us slightly differently.
However, here are some of the things that women/girls with ADHD may be more likely to struggle with:
- Disorganization
- Forgetful
- Introvert
- Sensitive to criticism
These are just a few examples of some things that women/girls with ADHD/ADD may struggle with. This may not apply to all, but it may apply to many.
Whatever type of ADHD/ADD you may have, or whether you’re male or female, having ADHD/ADD can be a struggle and does affect us differently.
If you are interested in reading a few more articles, here are a few.
totallyadd.com/blog/common-adhd-symptoms-in-women/
www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/add-adhd/adhd-in-girls
www.additudemag.com/adhd-in-women-recognizing-symptoms-in-adulthood/
www.additudemag.com/adhd-symptoms-in-women/
Picture credit: Pixabay
