It’s thought 5% of children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with boys more likely to receive a diagnosis than girls. 

Yet when girls remain undiagnosed, it can harm their mental health and self-esteem. 

Girls with undiagnosed ADHD are “more likely to blame themselves, turning their anger and pain inward”, according to the Child Mind Institute, which noted they’re also more likely to experience depression, anxiety and eating disorders than those without ADHD.

Dr Chris Abbott, chief medical officer at Care ADHD, told HuffPost UK his team regularly witnesses how early recognition can be “utterly life-changing” for girls who have ADHD, as “it reduces shame, helps girls understand how their brain works, and unlocks the right support so they can thrive”.

He noted that population research and reviews suggest ADHD is identified more often in boys in childhood at a ratio of 3:1 (males to females), while the ratio appears to even out in adulthood at 1:1, “which is consistent with the notion that many women are diagnosed later in life”.

So, why are girls more likely to fly under the radar in terms of diagnosis? 

There are a few key factors coming into play here, which we’ll break down with the help of experts. 

1. There is a gender divide in how ADHD symptoms are expressed

A key piece of the puzzle is that many people still associate ADHD with visibly hyperactive children – perhaps they picture someone who is impulsive or disruptive in class, usually a boy.

Dr Mukesh Kripalani, a consultant psychiatrist for The........

© HuffPost