Yahoo News Twelve most common and easy to miss signs of ADHD in females
A psychiatrist has explained there is one subtype of ADHD that is most commonly found in females, but warns it can go undiagnosed for a long time. Health expert Dr Ali Ajaz recently detailed several different symptoms of this particular subtype of ADHD in a video online.
Dr Ajaz is a consultant psychiatrist based in Canary Wharf, London, where he runs his own private practice. He specialises in a number of areas, including general adult psychiatry, substance misuse, forensic mental health, older adults, as well as autism and ADHD.
In a video uploaded to his TikTok account, Dr Ajaz discussed the most common ADHD signs women with the condition typically display. He explained that the inattentive subtype of ADHD is most common in women, but says that it is most often overlooked or missed.
Dr Ajaz claims a number of people with inattentive ADHD “go under the radar” because they appear quiet and distracted. Below is his list of symptoms in full.
12 most common signs of female inattentive ADHD
Being easily distracted
Difficulty sustaining attention span for most tasks either at home, school or work - Dr Ajaz explained that it usually presents in all three scenarios
Trouble listening whilst others are talking
Difficulty in following through tasks or instructions, in other words procrastination
Trouble with time keeping, such as being late all the time; things taking way longer than expected to complete, or leaving important things until the last minute
Having a tendency to lose or mislay everyday items, such as a watch, keys or mobile phone
Making careless mistakes or poor attention to detail
Being forgetful about names, past events, future events, or what you’re supposed to be doing right now
Daydreaming excessively
Often complaining about being bored
Appearing unmotivated and apathetic to others
Being tired, sluggish or slow
Dr Ajaz said: “If you have most of these signs most of the time, there’s a good chance you may have ADHD.” In the comment section, Dottie said: “All of these almost all of the time. People think I am uncaring, lazy or incapable. I am neither.”
Lyndsay wrote: “I’m so glad I'm diagnosed or I'd be right on the phone to the dr.” NikkiM commented: “I was diagnosed with combination adhd. my hyper is my brain I do subtle fidgeting so didn't even realise that was hyper as my son is different with hyper he's like trigger and I have all of these.”
It is important to note that only a clinician can accurately diagnose ADHD.
What is ADHD?
The NHS says attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.
Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child's circumstances change, such as when they start school. Most cases are diagnosed when children are under 12 years old, but sometimes it's diagnosed later in childhood.
Modern research shows ADHD is not gender biased, despite its original definition based on observations in young boys. Although research shows males are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD in practice, in reality, women experience the same type, number, and severity of symptoms as men with the condition, according to the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Experts say women are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms more than the hyperactive and/or impulsive symptoms, which are more often seen in men and boys. Inattentive ADHD means you’re more likely to have difficulties with concentration, organisation, and memory.
