ADHD in Men Versus Women: Who Are More Prone to Engage in Risky Behaviors? Study reveals shocking details | Health

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorderalso called ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to learn, concentrate, and behave. The most common symptoms of ADHD are short attention span, restlessness, hyperactivity, aggression, anxiety, and repetition of words. It can affect at any age. Read also | Can Massage Help Manage ADHD in Teenagers? Here’s what the study says

However, a recent study published in BMC Psychiatry indicates that women with ADHD are more likely than men to engage in risky behaviors. The study is a wake-up call about gender-specific treatment options that should be available to effectively treat the disease.

Study results:

The study included 29 adults with ADHD (16 men and 13 women) and 33 healthy people (14 men and 19 women), all aged 18 to 60 years. They were asked to perform a modified version of the analog balloon risk test. Task where they were asked to visualize a balloon on the screen which was automatically inflating. The bigger the balloon became, it meant more monetary gains, but at the cost of the balloon exploding and financial loss. Read also | ADHD: Factors that influence symptoms; the therapist explains

During the task, researchers observed participants’ skin conductance responses to understand their psychological changes related to emotional arousal. Participants also underwent an assessment of their emotional competence, risk perception, and sensitivity to feedback.

ADHD: women versus men

Study results revealed that during the analog ball risk task, females with ADHD demonstrated a greater tendency to engage in risky behaviors. However, no sex-specific differences were observed in psychological changes measured by skin conductance responses. Read also | Alia Bhatt opens up about her ADHD diagnosis: What is it? 6 Symptoms of Common Neurodevelopmental Disorder

Even during self-report questionnaires, it was observed that women with ADHD demonstrated less sensitivity to their own risky behaviors, hinting at the danger of not being aware of their perception and tendencies. Read also | Breaking ADHD: 6 Symptoms and Their Reasons

The study aims to raise awareness about gender-specific treatment options that should be made available to effectively treat the disease for both men and women.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have regarding a health problem.