Doctors should use AI a lot more because it keeps on revealing more and more, except in my case since i'm more like my mother I'm the shy, internalizing one...

 

The differences in ADHD symptom presentation between males and females generally include the following:

• Boys and men with ADHD often exhibit more externalized symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, physical restlessness, disruptive behavior, aggressiveness, and high-risk behaviors like substance misuse and speeding. These symptoms are usually more noticeable and lead to earlier diagnosis.healthline+2

• Girls and women with ADHD typically show more internalized symptoms including inattentiveness, disorganization, forgetfulness, daydreaming, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and tendency to internalize frustrations. They are less likely to display overt hyperactivity or disruptive behaviors and may instead seem shy, socially anxious or emotionally sensitive. Due to these subtler symptoms, ADHD in girls is often underdiagnosed or missed.berkeleypsychiatrists+2

• Girls and women with ADHD may experience additional challenges like greater mental health issues (depression, anxiety, eating disorders), hormonal influences exacerbating symptoms (e.g., during menstrual cycles or menopause), and higher rates of co-occurring conditions. They may also have perfectionism and body-focused repetitive behaviors.adhdcentre+2

• While core ADHD symptoms (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity) occur in both genders, societal expectations and diagnostic biases contribute to differences in recognition and treatment. ADHD was initially defined based on hyperactive boys, leading to female symptoms often being under-recognized.frontiersin+1

In sum, males usually show more visible, external ADHD symptoms while females tend to have subtler, internal symptoms that affect mood and self-esteem. This difference affects diagnosis rates and treatment approaches.healthline+2

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adhd-symptoms-in-girls-and-boys
2. https://www.berkeleypsychiatrists.co.uk/blog/what-are-the-differences-between-female-and-male-adhd
3. https://www.adhdcentre.co.uk/female-vs-male-adhd/
4. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/global-womens-health/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1549028/full
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20385342/
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7561166/
7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876201822002039
8. https://chadd.org/adhd-news/adhd-news-educators/gender-myths-adhd/

My family didn't notice the symptoms in my nephew and they were the most noticeable of anyone since my grandmother can't even remember what her own girls were like as kids.  Typical grandiose narcissist, pfft.