ADHD’s Severity in Women & Girls Is Often Overlooked

Women are often seen as talkative by nature, but the reality is, sometimes it can be more than that. Unfortunately, because of this stereotype, many people,  doctors included, assume women don’t suffer as much from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as men. Furthermore, new findings suggest the medical community doesn’t appreciate the frequency and severity of ADHD in women and girls at all, says Stephen Hinshaw, a professor of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley and co-author of the new study.

“Boys and girls are similarly afflicted and impaired by the symptoms of the disorder,” Hinshaw says. “Girls appear to be as affected as boys, if not more so in some instances.”

ADHD affects an estimated 3 percent to 5 percent of American children, possibly as many as 2 million kids. Three boys are diagnosed with the disorder for every 1 girl.

However, several researchers have argued that many affected adult women, as girls have been left behind, largely because they are less likely to be hyperactive and more likely to

Women are often seen as talkative by nature, but the reality is, sometimes it can be more than that. Unfortunately, because of this stereotype, many people,  doctors included, assume women don’t suffer as much from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as men. Furthermore, new findings suggest the medical community doesn’t appreciate the frequency and severity of ADHD in women and girls at all, says Stephen Hinshaw, a professor of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley and co-author of the new study.

“Boys and girls are similarly afflicted and impaired by the symptoms of the disorder,” Hinshaw says. “Girls appear to be as affected as boys, if not more so in some instances.”

ADHD affects an estimated 3 percent to 5 percent of American children, possibly as many as 2 million kids. Three boys are diagnosed with the disorder for every 1 girl.

However, several researchers have argued that many affected adult women, as girls have been left behind, largely because they are less likely to be hyperactive and more likely to