ADHD in women: why the diagnosis often comes late

ADHD occurs not only in children, but also in adults. Yet adult women often receive the correct diagnosis late. How is that possible and how do you know if you have ADHD yourself?

ADHD in women

More and more adult women are being diagnosed with ADHD. ADHD is originally a diagnosis that is mainly based on research in boys, so that it was previously often not recognized in girls and women.

Recognizing ADHD in women is also more difficult, because women with ADHD do not always display the same behavior as men with ADHD. Men with ADHD often show busy behavior, while women with ADHD often withdraw and become anxious or sad.

Many women with ADHD go on and on and don’t realize that they are exhausting themselves as a result. This can lead to overwork and even heart problems. That is why it is important that ADHD in women is recognized earlier.

When ADHD may be playing a role in your life, it’s important not to be turned away by health care providers. Get a good diagnosis. If ADHD runs in your family, you are more likely to have it too. It is therefore advisable to know the symptoms of ADHD and to discuss them with a health care professional. This way you can get the correct diagnosis in time and receive the necessary treatment.

Fortunately, more and more research is being done on ADHD in women and there are experts who focus specifically on this group. If you were not seen as someone who could have ADHD at a young age, you may still run into this later in life. Recent research shows that menopausal women often have to deal with this, because they then experience more hormonal mood swings.

Before you get to that point, it’s important to know what the symptoms are and to discuss this with a healthcare provider. Fortunately, more and more attention is being paid to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in women, which can mean a huge improvement for the quality of life.

How do you know if you have ADHD?

Do you recognize one or more symptoms? Then you might consider finding out whether you have ADHD:

• Difficulty concentrating on tasks or activities that take a long time.
• Often distracted and find it difficult to focus on one thing.
• Having trouble planning, organizing, and completing tasks.
• Difficulty following instructions and agreements.
• Being easily distracted by external stimuli and easily distracted from tasks.
• Often making impulsive decisions without thinking it through.
• Being restless and having a hard time sitting still.
• Talking more than normal and frequently interrupting others during a conversation.

It is important to know that these symptoms do not always directly indicate ADHD. Only a healthcare provider can make a correct diagnosis. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself and they affect your daily life, it may be advisable to find out whether you have ADHD.

Editor’s note

“Have you taken your pill yet?” people often wonder when they meet Francien Regelink for the first time. Not entirely unfounded, because Francien has AD(H)D and can be quite busy. But AD(H)D is more than All Days Very Busy. In Busy Francien explains exactly what AD(H)D is and gives them an unfiltered look into her life. From why shopping is a challenge and which medication she (sometimes not) takes, to how AD(H)D works between the sheets and why she works under the fire escape at the office.

Also read: Tisha was finally diagnosed with ADHD: ‘Finally I knew what I had’

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Foto: Getty Images
Bron: nu.nl