Girls and boys currently are diagnosed with ADHD at a ratio of about 1 to 3. This doesn't mean that fewer girls have ADHD; it means more girls are going undiagnosed. When left undiagnosed, ADHD can take a toll on a female’s emotional health and general well-being, leaving them with low self-confidence and psychological

ADHD girls are often overlooked because they exhibit hyperactivity differently. For example, in a classroom setting, a boy might blurt out answers or repeatedly tap his foot, whereas a girl might demonstrate hyperactivity by talking incessantly. A girl who talks all the time is often viewed by the teacher as chatty, not hyper or problematic — and thus is less likely to be recommended for an ADHD evaluation.

Another reason why ADHD girls fly under the radar is that they’re more likely than boys to suffer from inattentive ADHD. The symptoms of this sub-type (which include poor attention to detail, limited attention span, forgetfulness, and distractibility) tend to be less disruptive and obvious than those of hyperactive ADHD. Put simply, a (hyperactive) boy who repeatedly bangs on his desk gets noticed, and helped, before the (inattentive) girl who twirls her hair while staring out the window.

The self-esteem of girls with ADHD also appears to be more impaired than that of boys with ADHD. It’s not surprising, then, that the condition can take a toll on a female’s emotional health and general well-being. Girls with ADHD tend to have more mood disorders, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem problems than non-ADHD girls. Girls with ADHD are at a greater risk for problems ranging from low academic achievement to drug and alcohol abuse, and even suicide attempts.