For decades, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has primarily been viewed as a childhood disorder affecting boys, and they were the focus of most research. ADHD often presents differently in girls, which can make symptoms easier to overlook. Girls frequently receive diagnoses much later than boys, often not until adulthood. Many women spend years questioning their struggles and receiving treatment for anxiety or depression without addressing the root cause. Here's what research now knows about how ADHD affects women, and the risks of going untreated:
👩 Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to face abuse from romantic partners and teen pregnancy than their male counterparts, says Julia Schechter, a clinical psychologist.
👩 Women with ADHD see a higher incidence of obesity, eating disorders, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease compared to their peers without the condition.
👩 One survey of more than 3,000 women with ADHD found that the vast majority were diagnosed for the first time during their menopausal years. Emerging evidence suggests that fluctuating estrogen levels can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
👩 Medication is only one part of the treatment puzzle. Dr. Patricia Quinn says hormone replacement therapy can also help women with ADHD who are in perimenopause. Because many women have dealt with demoralization and shame for years, cognitive behavioral therapy can also help. | 
