"Mild ADHD" in Females
- Jamie Sorenson
- May 15
- 3 min read
Recently the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published an article on the management of ADHD during pregnancy and postpartum. They brought up that mild cases of ADHD should be managed with lifestyle interventions and therapy. I do agree with this, but more importantly I don’t think we have the finesse and expertise in diagnosing ADHD in women yet to catch mild cases. Most of the women with mild cases are probably told that they don’t have ADHD at all, there’s not enough data to support a diagnosis, or it’s “borderline” ADHD. This situation is particularly concerning because it highlights a significant gap in our understanding and diagnostic capabilities when it comes to recognizing ADHD in women. The nuances of how ADHD manifests in females can be quite different from the more commonly recognized symptoms seen in males, leading to a misdiagnosis or even a complete lack of diagnosis for many women who are struggling with the disorder.
I’ve had a number of very high functioning women that screened positive for ADHD, I think there’s data to support an ADHD diagnosis on my exam, but when I send them for psychological testing, it returns as negative for ADHD. This discrepancy raises questions about the validity and comprehensiveness of the testing methods currently in use. For some of these women, I’ve used super low dose stimulants and gotten their anxiety under much better control than with antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications (similar to what you see with ADHD). This suggests that the symptoms they exhibit may indeed be related to ADHD, even if the formal testing does not capture it. The interplay between ADHD and anxiety is particularly complex, and it’s essential to consider that many women may experience overlapping symptoms that can cloud the diagnostic process.
There’s some great articles about ADHD being a spectrum with some people having subclinical symptoms. This concept of ADHD as a spectrum disorder opens up a broader understanding of how the condition presents itself across different individuals. I bet women are more likely to fall into the subclinical categories than male counterparts. This could be attributed to various factors, including societal expectations, gender roles, and the ways in which symptoms manifest differently in women. So is it ADHD, or subclinical ADHD? I’m going to say if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably ADHD. This analogy underscores the importance of recognizing and validating the experiences of women who may not fit the traditional mold of ADHD but still exhibit significant challenges that warrant attention and treatment. It is crucial that we expand our diagnostic criteria and practices to ensure that all individuals, regardless of gender, receive the support they need to thrive.
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Disclaimer: Posts are for education and entertainment only. No medical advice given. This information is for general knowledge and not meant to diagnose or treat any conditions.
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