The one problem with studies on ADHD is that they primarily study how the disorder affects males. This causes ADHD in girls to be overlooked very easily. "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, boys are three times more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis than girls." (Kinman, 2016). Since the studies are focused on males, the diagnosis of this disorder only shows half of what it truly is. The symptoms of ADHD in males are more outward and can be seen physically. Females, on the other hand, have more "internalized symptoms" (Kinman, 2016) that work more in the brain. This leads to the assumption that ADHD is a disorder that makes children act very energetic, impulsive and, in more severe cases, aggressive.
The real truth is that ADHD also affects the parts of the brain that control emotions, self-consciousness, concentration, and the ability to use motor skills (the ability to do activities that require you using muscles in your body). Females with ADHD are more doubtful of themselves because they feel self-conscious. They tend to be more emotional and have trouble either expressing or controlling their emotions, which could possibly be mistaken for symptoms of other disorders such as borderline personality disorder, social anxiety, or depression.
Not all females are like this, though. It is still possible for girls to have the hyperactive symptoms of ADHD, just as it is possible for males to have the mental symptoms. Hopefully future ADHD studies will notice this and begin to show the other side of the ADHD scale and change the way that people think about this disorder.
The real truth is that ADHD also affects the parts of the brain that control emotions, self-consciousness, concentration, and the ability to use motor skills (the ability to do activities that require you using muscles in your body). Females with ADHD are more doubtful of themselves because they feel self-conscious. They tend to be more emotional and have trouble either expressing or controlling their emotions, which could possibly be mistaken for symptoms of other disorders such as borderline personality disorder, social anxiety, or depression.
Not all females are like this, though. It is still possible for girls to have the hyperactive symptoms of ADHD, just as it is possible for males to have the mental symptoms. Hopefully future ADHD studies will notice this and begin to show the other side of the ADHD scale and change the way that people think about this disorder.