ADD and Women

Woman holding her head in frustration while working on a computer surrounded by digital data graphicsIs a woman doctor the best doctor for ADHD in women?

Not necessarily — but it is important to have a doctor who understands the different ways ADHD shows up in women compared to men. Women are often diagnosed later in life, frequently as adults, because their symptoms are less obvious and more internalized.

In childhood, just over 9% of children are diagnosed with ADHD, with a boy-to-girl ratio of a little more than 2:1. By adulthood, the overall prevalence of ADHD drops to around 6%, and the male-to-female gap narrows — with men only about 50% more likely to be diagnosed than women.

Women with ADHD tend to exhibit less obvious symptoms. They often present with more subtle traits, particularly inattentiveness, which manifests as internal hyperactivity — such as mental restlessness, disorganization, and a tendency toward distraction.

Women also experience a higher rate of associated conditions: depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation are more common. Many become adept at masking these symptoms early on, which can delay diagnosis into adulthood and contribute to increased relational and personal difficulties.

Woman standing in front of a chalkboard filled with math equations

Men, by contrast, are typically diagnosed much earlier. Their symptoms tend to be more external and disruptive: impulsivity, physical hyperactivity, and a greater tendency toward risk-taking or rule-breaking behaviors.

Because women’s symptoms are often missed until adolescence or adulthood, a targeted, gender-aware approach is warranted. Emotional challenges tend to be more intense in women, while their symptoms remain more internalized compared to the more outward behaviors often seen in men.

Although the severity of ADHD is similar in both genders, the way it presents can differ significantly. Individualizing care with this understanding in mind can lead to better outcomes and an improved quality of life.

— Angela E. O’Neil, M.D.

Gender matters — and so does experience.

At Next Level Concierge, we understand the unique ways ADHD presents in women. From late diagnoses to emotional masking, our team is trained to recognize what others often miss.

👉 Learn more about our customized ADHD care for women and families — including advanced diagnostics, integrative options, and a deeper understanding of how to help you thrive.

 

The Unfamiliar Truths About Heart Disease and Women

Heart Disease and Women

Doctors are unprepared, and women can’t believe it!

Did you know heart disease kills more women than any other disease in the world! According to a shocking survey published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology, you are more familiar with this topic than 45% of women and even some cardiologists. The craziest part? Only 39% of the surveyed doctors thought that heart disease should be a top health concern in women. Most doctors claimed they felt unprepared and were not trained to test women for cardiovascular disease. However, if you catch early signs of any cardiovascular disorder and with great care, you can protect yourself from experiencing cardiovascular episodes, such as a heart attack. Yet with early detection and optimal care, cardiovascular (CV) events are preventable. Dr.Angela can provide you guidance in preventing, stopping, and even overturning heart disease. These are the unfamiliar truths about heart disease and what women need to know to care for their hearts properly.

True: Heart disease strikes more women than men.

Most people believe that heart disease is mostly an issue for men, but they are incorrect. Cardiovascular disease takes the lives of about 400,000 women in America every single year. Did you know that’s ten times the amount of deaths that breast cancer causes? Many women and doctors are unaware of these facts and are unaware of the high risk of heart disease in women, which results in a lack of cardiovascular specific therapy. Although the mortality rate continues to decrease in America, there is more of a decrease in men than women and an increase in the number of cases in women under the age of fifty-five.

Dr.Angela’s takeaway: Every single woman is at risk for heart disease. Heart disease usually shows no symptoms until it triggers a cardiac episode, which could cost your life.

Truth: More than half of the women surveyed never received a heart health assessment.

Most women believe that signs of cardiovascular disease would show in an annual physical or check-up, but they are wrong! Even though most of the people surveyed had either recently had or routinely has a wellness exam, but only approximately forty percent received an assessment on their heart. Even more shocking, only 71% of the females tested have never been asked or checked for cardiovascular disease. Most women rely on their doctors to inform them about proper times to get tested. The study also mentioned that minimal primary care providers followed the female-specific guidelines for heart disease evaluations in females. Risk calculators commonly used by doctors, mainly show evidence of studies done on men and not women.

Dr.Angela’s takeaway: There has been so much evidence that risk calculators do not work, but yet most doctors use them. It is essential to get checked and make sure you carefully watch risk factors involved in heart disease.

True: Most women who are at risk have not been told by their doctor.

Over 70 percent of the women surveyed had one or more heart disease risk factors like high cholesterol or blood pressure or smoke. However, only 16 percent were told by their doctor. Many women believe they should do more to keep their hearts young and healthy, but yet the survey found over 60 percent of women put off going to their doctors.

Dr. Angela’s takeaway: Never delay being screened for CVD. Even if you have no apparent signs of risk, plaque buildup in the arteries is common also. Be sure you are taking care of your heart and are aware of ALL risk factors involved in cardiovascular disease.