Get Help Now

ADHD Among Adult Women

Today's newsflash: Men and women are different.

OK, that previous tidbit may not necessarily fall into the "stunning revelation" category. But when it comes to mental health issues and behavioral disorders, the differences between men and women are important (albeit often overlooked) factors in progression, diagnosis and treatment.

Such is the case with adult women and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Obstacles to Diagnosis

First, the necessary disclaimers. Though the majority of ADHD diagnoses involve adolescent and teen boys, the disorder is not just a childhood problem, nor does it only affect boys or men.

Experts estimate that between 30 and 80 percent of children with ADHD will bring their disorder with them into adulthood. Considering that about 5 percent of adolescent girls show symptoms of ADHD, this translates into millions of adult women who may be affected by this disorder.

ADHD is notoriously underdiagnosed in all adults, but certain factors may make it even less likely that an adult woman with ADHD is correctly identified as needing treatment for this condition.

In a March 16, 2005, WebMD article, writer Dulce Zamora addressed the role that gender-based misunderstandings can play in preventing adult women with ADHD from getting the treatment they need:
There are many theories as to why fewer females are diagnosed and treated with ADHD. [Patricia Quinn, MD, director of the National Center for Gender Issues and ADHD] points to the history of the disorder itself. "We've studied the disorder in males -- usually elementary school-aged males -- and that's how we've defined the disorder," she says, noting that boys with ADHD have traditionally been known for their hyperactivity and disruptive behavior. Teachers and parents, who refer kids to the doctor, notice these symptoms.
Instead of being disruptive, girls with ADHD tend to show their symptoms in more socially appropriate ways, says Patricia A. Pape, PsyD, a psychologist in private practice in Wellington, Fla. She says it's not uncommon for girls with ADHD to become social butterflies. When they feel the need to move around, they usually meet their need by acting as a teacher's helper or monitor.
Girls with ADHD also learn to cover up their symptoms because they are ashamed of them and generally want to please people, says Quinn. "If [girls with ADHD] forget to bring a project into school, they're embarrassed and humiliated by that, so they work hard, or even develop anxiety and worry so that it won't happen again."

ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women

In adolescents and teens, ADHD often manifests itself in hyperactivity or an inability to sit still and remained focused. While inattention is a hallmark of the adult version of the disorder, men and women with ADHD are more likely to appear bored or "scatterbrained" than hyped up or fidgety.

Among the more prevalent signs of adult ADHD are impairments in the brain's ability to process executive functions such as remaining aware of time and deadlines, prioritizing work assignments and managing ongoing aspects of daily life (such as paying bills and cleaning the house). 

As Zamora's WebMD article indicated, adult women who have ADHD may appear to be dreamy or disorganized. Perhaps most frustrating of all, there's a good chance that these women may be working diligently to overcome the effects of a disorder that they don't even know they have.

"I can remember sitting in my apartment for days at a time in the dark, because once I fell behind, I didn't know how to catch back up," adult ADHD sufferer Evelyn Polk Green said in a May 9, 2007, article by Caitlin A. Johnson of CBS News. "I didn't know what to do to fix it."

In that same article, Green recalled having no idea that her problems might be related to ADHD until a therapist diagnosed her son with the condition.

Listening to the therapist describe the effects of ADHD was a moment of great insight and empowerment, Green said, as she finally understood the root cause of her continued struggles. "It was a sense of relief," she said. "I'm not lazy, crazy, stupid. There was a reason that all that stuff was going on."

'Overwhelmed and Exhausted'

In addition to impacting one's ability to overcome many of the more mundane challenges of adult life, adult ADHD can also make it more difficult for men and women to form and maintain healthy and productive relationships. Adult women who have ADHD are also at increased risk for suffering from anxiety and depression.

Given these potentially dire circumstances (depression, anxiety and experiencing significant relationship stress -- in addition to struggling to keep up with daily duties and responsibilities), it's little surprise that many women with ADHD are also at increased risk for substance abuse.

As the National Resource Center on AD/HD describes the experience, "Whether a woman's life [with ADHD] is clearly in chaos or whether she is able to hide her struggles, she often describes herself as feeling overwhelmed and exhausted."

Treating ADHD in Adult Women

The most effective treatment plans for women with ADHD involve a multi-faceted approach that addresses both the disorder itself and any co-occurring issues (such as the aforementioned depression, anxiety and substance abuse).

As with almost any mental health problem, recovery depends upon a number of factors that are specific to the individual patient. But, in general, adult women with ADHD appear to respond best to a treatment program that includes medication, therapy and education.

Drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin -- which have widespread success suppressing symptoms in young ADHD patients -- have also been found to be effective in adults with the disorder. But because women with ADHD are also likely to have had trouble with such important matters as jobs, relationships and families, therapy (both individual and group) and instruction (in matters such as time management and stress reduction) may also be called for.

ADHD can make life very difficult for adult women -- but the disorder can be treated, and a more satisfying and less stressful future is a very real possibility.