Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that can persist from childhood into older adulthood. It impacts individuals from all ethnic groups and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Current estimates suggest that one of every 21 people in Canada has the disorder. This number is likely to rise as our understanding of varied presentations and subtypes continues to improve.

While current research indicates that ADHD symptoms start at a similar age in both males and females, women are often misdiagnosed or diagnosed later in life due to differences in presentation.

A recent study suggests that women tend to be diagnosed five years later than men. This gap is significant as a delayed diagnosis leads to more severe and consequential symptoms. In other words, “women can lose on average five years of treatment, five years of a better life.”

Read more: Not just boys: The overlooked story of ADHD in women and girls

We now know that women are more likely to present with predominantly inattentive symptoms such as........

© The Conversation