ADHD Looks Different For Everyone
Signs of ADHD are different for all ages and genders.
Initially, our first thoughts of ADHD may be a young child who constantly moves and can't focus on anything. When in reality, adults with ADHD are experiencing life differently than children. So don't expect the same symptoms as an 11-year-old boy to be the same as yours.
The difference between Boys and Girls
First things first, it's important to know that ADHD is different in boys than girls. Everyone with ADHD does experience inattention, It's simply shown differently.
Boys display their symptoms externally by fidgeting, can't to sit still, and always needing to move around. In other words, hyperactivity is more common.
Girls display their symptoms internally, for example, daydreaming, restlessness, and disorganization. Women and girls with attention issues can get overlooked because they don't usually have hyperactive signs like boys. Because of this, boys are twice more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls.
This display of internal signs can lead to negative self-talk and being hard on yourself. Which then can cause anxiety, depression, and self-harm. Dr. Ellen Littman, a clinical psychologist who has specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodiverse disorders, says that "Anxiety and depression turn into low self-esteem, self-loathing, and risk for self-harm and suicide attempts is four times higher for girls with ADHD than girls without."
Adult ADHD
For adults who may think they have ADHD, it can show in ways like
Having difficulty controlling emotions
Hyper-focus
Impulsive shopping and overspending
Struggling with time management
Very high functioning but is disorganized
Highly self-critical
Having trouble remembering dates, appointments, birthdays, etc.
Many adults who get diagnosed had no idea that they had ADHD, but because they did, it changed their life!
"In a 2020 study, researchers compared 444 adults with diagnosed ADHD with 1,055 adults who exhibited symptoms but had no formal diagnosis. After matching for age and gender, those with a diagnosis reported a higher quality of life, which included metrics for work productivity, self-esteem, and functional performance." (More on an ADHD diagnosis)
Getting diagnosed is critical for the mental health of those you love, and maybe even for you!