From the library of

Frank Barnhill M.D.
 

Caution: It can be very hard to make a diagnosis of ADHD in a female!

A lot of the signs and symptoms of ADHD in females present themselves only in very subtle ways. See my article: “Girls can be ADHD, too!”

Here is a checklist for you to use in deciding if your wife or girlfriend is ADHD:

• For impulsivity or hyperactivity

  Fidgets a lot, bites nails or twirls hair
  Gets very bored if sits still for long periods
  Impatient waiting in lines or taking turns
  Seems flighty or running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off
  Talks too much and will interrupt others to finish sentences
  Has to have the last word in just about every conversation
  Answers questions before they’re finished being asked
  Offers opinions about everything
  Has a hard time relaxing or doing leisure activities or group games

  For Inattention

  Starts projects such as crafts, housework, or job duties and fails to finish them
  Runs late a lot or misses even important appointments
  Forgets things easily or seems air headed
  Can’t organize work, home or leisure activities (the house is always a mess)
  Makes careless mistakes because not paying attention to details
  Can’t concentrate on a task or specific job for long periods
  Doesn’t seem to pay attention when you speak directly to her or appears to be daydreaming a lot
  Avoids doing things that require a lot of effort or concentration
  Misplaces things needed for work or home life (loses car keys)
  Is distracted easily. If she sees or hears something that stimulates her, she may completely lose concentration in the middle of talking about something or completing a task. (Burns supper because the phone or doorbell rang)
   

If you checked fewer than 4 of these ADHD traits: It’s probably not ADHD

If you checked 4 to 6 of these ADHD traits: Your wife or girlfriend needs to be professionally evaluated for an “incomplete type of the disorder” and may benefit from treatment.

If six or more of these traits show up on your checklist: Your wife or girlfriend may very well be ADHD. The diagnosis should first exclude diseases that can mimic ADHD and then include the following:

Symptoms should have been present since age 7

The traits or symptoms should have been persistently present for at least 6 months

You should find the symptoms occur in a least two different interactive environments, such as home and work, home and school, work and play, work and church or other social events.

For more information and an explanation of ADHD traits, please read the related article “Is my wife or girlfriend ADHD?”

Good luck in your quest to help a loved one!

Dr. Frank