ADHD in Men: Prevalence, Risk & Key Differences

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? Adults: ~4.99% pooled persistent ADHD
Is it more common among men? Higher than girls in childhood; adult prevalence much closer to women
Are men at higher risk? Higher childhood prevalence
How much higher is the risk? Youth boys roughly 2× girls
How often can it be missed? Moderate
Does it show up differently among men? Yes
How might it look different? More overt hyperactivity/impulsivity and externalising behaviours, especially in childhood
What commonly occurs alongside it? Substance-use disorders; conduct/externalising disorders; depression/anxiety
What can it be confused with? Bipolar disorder; substance use; conduct problems; sleep disorders
Common screening tool ASRS v1.1 / ASRS-5
Separate screening tool for men None
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