How ADHD Affect Girls and Boys Differently

If you picture ADHD, you might think of a little boy who can’t sit still. But ADHD doesn’t always look the same, and girls often fly under the radar. Here’s the breakdown of how ADHD affects girls vs. boys and when to seek intervention.

About 12% of children and teenagers in the United States have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But symptoms often vary from child to child and sometimes show up differently in girls vs. boys.

See Evan Donin, PMHNP-BC, at Sunshine Mental Wellness Associates Inc. in Palm Harbor, Florida, or Melville, New York, for a mental health evaluation if you or your child has ADHD symptoms that interfere with grades, work, and/or social interactions.

Here’s how ADHD might affect girls vs. boys, and why recognizing those differences is helpful.

ADHD symptoms

Here are symptoms that may indicate your son or daughter has ADHD:

Difficulty sitting still
Squirming or fidgeting in their seat
Restlessness
Excessive talking
Blurting out answers at school
Interrupting others
Not taking turns
Always being on-the-go
Running around at inappropriate times
Being distracted easily
Daydreaming
Forgetting things frequently
Losing or misplacing items often
Trouble following instructions
Difficulty staying organized
Making careless mistakes
Trouble staying on track during prolonged activities
Difficulty remaining focused
Impulsive behaviors

You as a parent or your child’s teacher may notice ADHD symptoms that warrant an evaluation at Sunshine Mental Wellness Associates Inc., especially if the symptoms negatively affect quality of life and/or interpersonal relationships.

ADHD diagnosis prevalence among girls vs. boys

ADHD is a common condition, though girls are less likely than boys to receive an ADHD diagnosis. In the United States, 15.6% of boys have been diagnosed with ADHD, while just 8.2% of girls have been diagnosed with the same condition.

How ADHD may affect girls vs. boys

Many of the same symptoms exist in girls vs. boys who have ADHD, but the condition could affect them in different ways.

Girls may be more likely than boys to experience symptoms related to inattention (difficulty paying attention), while boys might develop hyperactive or impulsive behaviors more often. However, boys and girls can both have any of the ADHD symptoms listed above.

Boys

Boys with ADHD may be more likely to:

Squirm in their seats
Be visibly disruptive at school
Have aggressive behavior patterns
Always be on-the-go

However, some boys with ADHD are quiet and inattentive, rather than loud and hyperactive.

Girls

Girls with ADHD might:

Have low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety
Be a perfectionist
Pick at their skin
Twirl their hair
Get poor grades
Daydream
Make hurtful comments
Be emotional
Have a pushy personality

Girls’ ADHD symptoms might be more noticeable during the middle school or high school years.

However, differences in perceived ADHD symptoms among girls vs. boys could stem from stereotypes regarding behavioral expectations, potentially causing girls to be underdiagnosed.

When and how to seek treatment

ADHD affects each child, teenager, and adult differently, often regardless of their gender. If you suspect your child struggles with ADHD, consider booking an evaluation at Sunshine Mental Wellness Associates Inc. to receive a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan.

Common ADHD treatments include lifestyle changes, medication management, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and other forms of therapy. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is available too.

Encourage your child or teen to exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, eat a balanced diet, manage stress, and maintain a steady routine. Consider making to-do lists and keeping a calendar or daily planner to stay organized.

Sunshine Mental Wellness Associates Inc. also offers treatment for bipolar disorder, personality disorder, depression, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and numerous other mental health conditions.

If you or your child has ADHD, get zoned in by contacting us at Sunshine Mental Wellness Associates by phone or booking an appointment online today.