Attention Deficit Disorder Hits Women Harder

ATLANTA, May 27-When women have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it often hits hard.

Their symptoms tend to be more severe, and they live with more emotional impairment than do male patients, according to Fred W. Reimherr, M.D., of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, and colleagues who presented their findings at American Psychiatric Association meeting here this week.

"When women are being treated for anxiety or depression and have continued symptoms that don't fully fit those diagnoses, physicians may want to consider whether they have ADHD," said Dr. Reimherr in an interview. "These patients might be more emotionally labile and irritable than is typically seen in mood disorders."

Read More: APA: Attention Deficit Disorder Hits Women Harder - CME Teaching Brief - MedPage Today.