[Symptoms, diagnostic process and outcome in girls and women with ADHD]

ADHD in girls is usually an impairing disorder that persists into adulthood in most cases. The negative consequences include school failure, psychiatric problems, substance abuse, self-harm, suicide attempts, increased risk of being physically and sexually maltreated, and unplanned/unwanted pregnancies. Chronic pain, overweight and sleep problems/disorders are also common. The symptom presentation is one with fewer obvious hyperactive and impulsive behaviours as compared with boys. Attention deficits, emotional dysregulation and verbal aggression are more common. Many more girls are now being diagnosed with ADHD than 20 years ago, but ADHD symptoms in girls are still quite often overlooked, and underdiagnosis is more common than in boys. Girls with ADHD are less often receiving pharmacological treatment for equally impairing symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity. There is a need for more studies of ADHD in girls and women, awareness among professionals and the general public needs to be increased, focused support in schools needs to be implemented and better intervention methods need to be developed.