Why Are Males More Prone to Being Diagnosed With ADHD?

ADD and ADHD are mental health conditions that can affect males differently than females. In fact, according to the CDC, males (13%) are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than females (6%). An ADD ADHD doctor can help diagnose this condition. Let’s look at a few reasons why males are more prone to being diagnosed with ADD or ADHD than females.

Gender and Diagnosis

ADD and ADHD appear to be diagnosed at a higher rate among males than females. However, there is a discrepancy in these numbers because ADHD often presents much differently in girls than in boys. The parameters used to diagnose ADHD are limited and have not evolved to include other presentations. Many of the studies that have been done on ADHD include few females in the studies, which creates a bias in the data.

Symptoms

As more research is conducted, it’s becoming apparent that there isn’t a question of which gender has more instances of ADHD but rather which symptoms are common to each gender. One such difference in presentation would be the fact that females have more instances of inattention while males present with higher rates of impulsivity and hyperactivity, per the National Library of Medicine.

Comorbidity

There are also significant differences in the comorbidity of other conditions. This refers to other coinciding conditions along with ADHD. MedicalNewsToday states that males tend to have issues with substance misuse, conduct disorders, and antisocial personality disorders along with ADHD. On the other hand, females tend to have anxiety, depression, somatic symptom disorders, and bulimia. Hormones can also make symptoms of ADHD more prominent among females, which can sometimes delay a proper diagnosis, per MedicalNewsToday.

Diagnosis

Many of the symptoms that males present with are often considered disruptive, so there will be early intervention and quick diagnosis, states MedicalNewsToday. Females, however, are often presenting symptoms that are more internalized and aren’t bothersome to others. Therefore, they can often go undetected for long periods. It’s common for females to mask or control their symptoms in most environments whereas males cannot. This can lead to extremely delayed diagnosis or no diagnosis at all.

This information should help you better understand the differences between males and females with ADHD. If you or a loved one is suffering from the symptoms described above and need an ADD ADHD doctor, please contact us today. Our team at Peace Medical is happy to help you navigate these questions.