ADHD Symptoms in Girls vs. Boys
Research suggests that ADHD often presents differently in girls and boys. While boys with ADHD are more likely to have hyperactive/impulsive or combined-type presentations, girls are more likely to have inattentive ADHD.
Boys are also more likely to exhibit externalizing symptoms associated with ADHD such as acting out and being aggressive. They may also have hyperactive or impulsive symptoms such as constantly moving, interrupting others, and engaging in physical actions at inappropriate times.
Conversely, girls with ADHD are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms such as not paying attention, not listening, being easily distracted, and losing focus. Other symptoms of ADHD in girls can include being withdrawn, disorganized, unmotivated, shy, and getting easily upset.
Because boys’ symptoms tend to be more disruptive, they are often diagnosed with the condition more frequently than girls. Girls’ symptoms such as shyness and daydreaming are often seen as personality characteristics, so they are often missed, making them less likely to get help.
If left untreated, ADHD can create issues later in life. For instance, one study found that when childhood ADHD persisted over time, females were more likely to engage in self-harm and faced impairments both socially and in their work.
