Treatment for ADHD in Fresno, CA

What are the Symptoms?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) presents with a range of symptoms that can differ based on age, gender, and individual brain function. The condition is broadly categorized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, but how these symptoms manifest can vary significantly. Many individuals—especially girls and women—go undiagnosed due to differences in symptom presentation and societal expectations. ADHD symptoms are divided into two categories:

Inattention Symptoms

• Difficulty sustaining focus on tasks or conversations
• Forgetfulness in daily life, missing deadlines, or misplacing items
• Trouble following instructions and completing tasks
• Frequently losing important belongings (keys, phone, homework)
• Difficulty with organization and time management
• Easily distracted by external stimuli or unrelated thoughts

Hyperactivity-Impulsivity Symptoms

• Fidgeting, squirming, or an inability to sit still
• Frequent interrupting or talking over others in conversations
• Feeling restless or needing to move constantly
• Difficulty waiting for turns in conversations or activities
• Engaging in impulsive decision-making without thinking about consequences

How ADHD Symptoms Differ in Boys vs. Girls

ADHD often looks different in boys and girls, leading to underdiagnosis in girls. While boys tend to show hyperactive and impulsive behaviors, girls are more likely to experience inattentiveness, daydreaming, and emotional sensitivity. Because these symptoms are less disruptive, ADHD in girls is often misdiagnosed or overlooked.

• Boys with ADHD often display externalized behaviors such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disruptive actions, making them more likely to be referred for diagnosis and treatment.
• Girls with ADHD frequently experience inattentiveness, daydreaming, and emotional dysregulation, which can be mistaken for anxiety or mood disorders rather than ADHD.
• Because girls may develop coping mechanisms to mask symptoms, their ADHD often goes undiagnosed until adolescence or adulthood, when struggles with organization, time management, and emotional regulation become more apparent.

How ADHD Symptoms Differ in Men vs. Women

ADHD doesn’t disappear with age, but its symptoms often shift in adulthood. While some challenges from childhood persist, adults develop coping mechanisms that can mask or alter how ADHD presents, leading to differences in how men and women experience the disorder.

• Men with ADHD may experience persistent impulsivity, forgetfulness, difficulty maintaining employment, and struggles with time management.
• They are also at higher risk for substance abuse due to impulsivity and dopamine-seeking behaviors.
• Women with ADHD are more likely to experience chronic overwhelm, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.
• They may struggle with maintaining household responsibilities, relationships, and self-esteem, often blaming themselves for their difficulties rather than recognizing ADHD as the root cause.