Why is ADHD often misdiagnosed in women?

Not only boys, many girls and adult women also suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but it is often overlooked or diagnosed late.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention or hyperactivity, impulsivity that begins in childhood, persists over time, and significantly impairs learning, work, and social relationships in two or more contexts. Core symptoms include difficulty maintaining concentration, distractibility, poor organization, forgetfulness, and hyperactivity, talkativeness, impulsiveness, and difficulty controlling behavior.

According to Dr. Ngo Thi Kim Oanh, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Campus 3, many previous studies have shown that the rate of boys with ADHD is almost twice as high as that of girls, unintentionally causing many people to mistakenly believe that this is a disorder that only occurs in boys. In fact, the rate of ADHD detection in both sexes in adulthood is equal, but women are often diagnosed late or wrongly due to many reasons.

In women, ADHD is often accompanied by anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or eating disorders.

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Causes of ADHD Misdiagnosis in Women

Dr. Ngo Thi Kim Oanh, MD, PhD, said that the main reason for misdiagnosis of ADHD in women is that the symptoms in women are often different from the familiar image of society. Instead of being hyperactive and impulsive, many girls are often absent-minded, slow to complete work, and have difficulty maintaining concentration when doing boring tasks. Because they do not make much noise, these signs are easily considered as personality traits or laziness.

“Social expectations placed on women also contribute to masking the problem. Many women try to compensate by over-planning, working long hours, asking family members to remind them, using note-taking apps and calendars. These efforts make people around them think everything is fine, thereby delaying the recommendation to see a doctor,” Dr. Kim Oanh explained.

In women, ADHD is often accompanied by anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or eating disorders. When patients present for fatigue, insomnia, or sadness, they may be treated for these problems without a full assessment of their attention, emotional control, and organization. By focusing only on the comorbidities, the underlying ADHD may be overlooked.

Hormones are also a factor to consider. Many women report that their symptoms are worse at certain times of their menstrual cycle, after giving birth, or during perimenopause. “Understanding these fluctuations will help patients better monitor their condition and help doctors choose the appropriate intervention plan for each stage,” says Dr. Kim Oanh.

Significant improvement with proper treatment

According to Dr. Kim Oanh, delayed diagnosis not only reduces academic performance and work performance but also erodes women’s self-esteem. Many women only realize they have ADHD when they are adults, after years of blaming themselves for not trying hard enough. In fact, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a biological mechanism. Patients need to be evaluated thoroughly and can improve significantly with proper treatment.

“If you suspect that you or your child has ADHD, start by recording common situations such as forgetting appointments, leaving work unfinished, taking too much time for simple tasks, easily getting overwhelmed when having to do many things at the same time. You should talk to teachers or colleagues to get more comments on the learning and working environment. Then, bring these notes to the doctor's appointment so that he or she can have a more complete view,” Dr. Kim Oanh suggested.

If you have been treated for anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders and still have difficulty paying attention and organizing your work, feel free to discuss the possibility of ADHD with your doctor for a comprehensive evaluation.

ADHD treatment is individualized. In addition to appropriate medication, nonpharmacological interventions such as training in organizational skills, time management, sleep habits, and physical activity can be helpful.

Dr. Kim Oanh shared: “ADHD is not a fixed sentence for anyone. Early identification, correct understanding and proper companionship will help girls and adult women develop their strengths. When the community understands that ADHD in women has different manifestations than commonly imagined, we will be less likely to blame them for being lazy or not trying hard, and will know how to encourage them to seek timely professional support.”

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tai-sao-hoi-chung-adhd-o-nu-gioi-thuong-bi-chan-doan-sai-185251011184517243.htm