Hidden ADHD in Girls: Why Diagnosis Lags and What It Costs
ADHD is often undiagnosed in girls because symptoms tend to be inattentive and masked by social expectations, and research has historically focused on male presentations; co-occurring anxiety and depression further complicate diagnosis, leading to higher risks of bullying, relationship problems, eating disorders, self-harm, and even premature mortality; improving outcomes requires more female-inclusive research, better diagnostic tools, increased awareness, and gender-tailored treatment approaches.
