Many women have felt overlooked in their own healthcare; research shows that doctors tend to dismiss complaints of pain from women and are more likely to assume psychological causes of physical symptoms reported by women.
In addition, much medical and psychological research in the past was conducted with only men, which means that our understanding of some diagnoses and treatments are based on studies of only half of the population. This can result in women being misdiagnosed or overlooked because they present with “atypical” symptoms…actually, those symptoms may be very typical for women, but women weren’t included in the studies! In the case of ADHD, the “traditional” symptoms that get the most recognition tend to show up more in boys, so girls and women with ADHD face unique challenges throughout life.
ADHD in Girls
ADHD is neurodevelopmental (symptoms usually begin in childhood), and often looks different in girls vs. boys. There are two main types of ADHD symptoms, with some examples:
Inattention
Poor attention to detail
Seeming not to listen when spoken to
Failure to follow through on tasks
Difficulty organizing activities
Losing things
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
Fidgeting
Difficulty staying seated
Running or climbing when inappropriate
Unable to take part quietly in leisure activities
Talking excessively/interrupting
If you suspect you have ADHD, you might recognize some of these behaviors in yourself.
Girls and women with ADHD tend to have inattentive symptoms more often, and boys and men tend to have hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. (These are general patterns, not necessarily true for every individual).
Because hyperactive and impulsive symptoms tend to be more “external” and disruptive, boys are more often noticed and diagnosed with ADHD. Inattention symptoms in girls with ADHD often go unnoticed and they may quietly miss out on the support they need to learn and succeed in mainstream settings.
Without a diagnosis, more girls go untreated for ADHD. Treatment can involve medications, but it can also involve therapy to help build organization skills as well as coping skills to help protect against the emotional wear and tear that can come with having a neurodivergent brain in a neurotypical world. If a child is undiagnosed, their ADHD-related behaviors are often viewed as purposeful, which can lead to painful and confusing experiences of being disciplined, ridiculed, or labeled for things they don’t understand.
Effects Into Adulthood: Women with ADHD
Because many girls with ADHD don’t have the support to build organizational skills over time during childhood and adolescence, adult women with undiagnosed ADHD often feel like they are falling short, or missed some class everyone else took.
Brain function is impacted by the natural hormonal shifts that happen across a woman’s lifespan, and in a brain with ADHD, times of hormonal change like adolescence and menopause can cause symptoms to get worse. For women with undiagnosed/untreated ADHD at any age, aspects of adult life feel impossible. Things like:
Maintaining a schedule
Meeting work deadlines
Being on time
Finishing projects
Managing household tasks
Saving and financial planning
The Value of Neuropsych Testing for ADHD in Women
If this resonates with you, a neuropsychological evaluation for ADHD may help. A neuropsych assessment for ADHD involves an interview to gather information about your history and symptoms, as well as paper-and-pencil or computer testing to measure brain function in several areas (like executive function, memory, attention, processing speed, and visual-spatial function). This is for a few reasons:
To reach an accurate diagnosis
To rule out other problems or explanations for your symptoms
To make sure we don’t miss anything
Sometimes people ask why ADHD testing is so comprehensive when we already “know” what’s going on. ADHD can come with other problems that cause or worsen symptoms, like learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, or OCD. A thorough evaluation ensures we’re addressing everything that contributes to your symptoms because we make recommendations based on the test results. Recommendations inform you about the best treatment options for you, and if we don’t do thorough testing, we might miss something that impacts your treatment success.
For women in particular, I’ve found that neuropsych testing for ADHD can be powerful and healing.
Because women with ADHD are often misunderstood, testing can provide a new view of themselves and their experiences. It is healing to know that your struggles are not personal failings, but simply signs of a brain that is functioning differently. It is healing to know that there are things you can do to support your brain and strategies you can use to succeed in environments that thrive on deadlines and projects if that is what you want. It is also, hopefully, a very compelling reason to offer yourself compassion and grace as you navigate a new understanding of yourself.
Begin Adult ADHD Testing in Redondo Beach, CA
ADHD testing can help you better understand your symptoms and how your unique brain operates. As a Los Angeles Psychologist, I would be honored to help provide the insight to help you better understand yourself. You can learn more about what you can expect from neuropsychological testing with Dr. Reger by doing the following:
Reach out for a free consultation.
Schedule neuropsychological testing with Dr. Reger.
Start the ADHD testing process!
Other Therapy and Testing Services Offered in Los Angeles, CA
I understand you may need more support in addition to neuropsychological testing. This is why I’m happy to offer several types of assessments and services around Southern California. I also offer psychological evaluations for workers’ comp, preoperative assessments, individual therapy and therapy for older adults. Visit my blog for more helpful information today!