Diagnostic Differences

Unfortunately, one single test to diagnose ADHD does not yet exist, at least I do not know of one. The symptoms of hyperactivity that males with ADHD exhibit tend to be more bothersome and disruptive to parents and teachers. Hence, males tend to be referred for testing at a younger age and receive a diagnosis earlier than do females. Females tend to present with less overt symptoms. They may be inattentive but display it less prominently, so adults may miss the condition. Inattention symptoms in females with ADHD are more likely to occur in structured educational environments, such as high school and college, which may delay the diagnosis. Females may also develop better coping strategies to compensate for their ADHD-related difficulties. Female inattention may also be exhibited as anxiety and/or depression. Combined, this means that females are more likely to be diagnosed with a personality or other internalizing disorder, further delaying diagnosis and treatment of the underlying issue of ADHD.