title: Perceptions of girls and ADHD: results from a national survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this survey is to explore perceived gender differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Online Harris Interactive interviews were conducted with 1797 adults (general public), 541 parents of children with ADHD, 550 teachers, and 346 children aged 12 to 17 years with ADHD. Responses were examined to determine perceptions of ADHD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the general public (58%) and teachers (82%) think ADHD is more prevalent in boys. The general public and teachers think boys with ADHD are more likely than girls to have behavioral problems (public: 52% vs 26%; teachers: 36% vs 18%, respectively), while girls with ADHD are thought to have less noticeable problems than boys, such as being inattentive (public: 19% vs 11%; teachers: 29% vs 10%, respectively) or feeling depressed (public: 16% vs 1%; teachers: 12% vs 0.0%, respectively). Four out of 10 teachers report more difficulty in recognizing ADHD symptoms in girls. An overwhelming majority of teachers (85%) and more than half of the public (57%) and parents (54%) think girls with ADHD are more likely to remain undiagnosed. ADHD was reported to have a negative effect on self-esteem, more so in girls. Girls who were taking medication for their ADHD were nearly 3 times more likely to report antidepressant treatment prior to their ADHD diagnosis. Girls were more likely to feel it was "very difficult" to focus on schoolwork and get along with parents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Survey responses suggest that gender has important implications in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Responses by ADHD patients demonstrate gender-specific differences in the personal experience of the condition. Future prospective clinical trials are warranted to clarify the unique needs and characteristics of girls with ADHD.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Gender Issues and ADHD, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. pquinn@ncgiadd.org
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wigal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents; D010465:Perception; D011639:Public Opinion; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires