ADHD in Women. Understanding the Quiet Struggles Often Missed
ADHD through the years:
When most of us think about ADHD, we picture a hyperactive young boy bouncing around, unable to focus or sit still. While ADHD is commonly associated with boys, girls and women experience it too, often with symptoms that are more internal or subtle. Research now shows that ADHD affects both men and women at similar rates.
Why its often missed:
Symptoms can be subtle
Girls are statistically more likely to show inattentive ADHD, particularly in older years. These behaviors are quieter and often dismissed.Behavior expectations play a role
Teachers and clinicians often look for disruption in the classroom or impulsive behavior. Girls who are quietly struggling can be labeled “shy,” “anxious,” or “lazy” instead of being assessed for ADHD.Other diagnoses can overshadow ADHD
Many women receive diagnoses for anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions, which may coexist with ADHD. These conditions can sometimes result from years of overcompensating, executive functioning challenges and lowered self-esteem as a result. This can delay the correct diagnosis and the support they need.
What are the ADHD symptoms in females?
Females can present with the symptoms outlined in the DSM-5, although these often present differently than in males. Common patterns include:
Difficulty paying close attention to details or making careless mistakes
Trouble sustaining attention or appearing not to listen
Challenges following through on instructions and organising tasks
Avoidance of or dislike for tasks requiring sustained mental effort, frequently losing things
Being easily distracted or forgetful in daily activities
Many report experiencing “internal” hyperactivity and other symptoms that may go unrecognised, often being culturally misattributed to the behaviour of highly social females. These can include:
Talking excessively
Fidgeting or needing to move around frequently
Acting impulsively or speaking before thinking
Appearing to daydream, while internally experiencing racing thoughts and difficulty focusing
May initiate social interactions readily but have difficulty sustaining peer relationships over time
May engage in self-injurious behaviors or exhibit extreme, rigid self-control in response to internal or external demands.
Often relies on compensatory strategies, expending significantly more effort than peers to achieve comparable outcomes.
May show heightened sensitivity to social rejection, leading to clinginess, dependency on others, or persistence in maladaptive relationships.
How do we bridge the gap?
See the Whole Picture
Understanding ADHD in women often requires looking beyond standard checklists. Listening to women’s experiences, gathering observations from partners, friends, or family, and considering real-life examples of daily struggles can give a much fuller and more accurate picture.Notice Executive Function Challenges
Many women with ADHD face difficulties with organisation, time management, planning, and working memory. These challenges may not appear on traditional ADHD tests, but they are essential clues to how ADHD affects day-to-day life.Question Assumptions
ADHD isn’t always loud, impulsive, or visibly disruptive. By being aware of common biases, clinicians, educators, and even family members can better recognise the more subtle or internalized symptoms that often appear in women.Support and Understanding Matter
A comprehensive approach allows women to receive the recognition, support, and strategies they need, helping them thrive rather than simply cope.
Benefits of helping woman understand their ADHD symptoms?
An ADHD diagnosis can bring both relief and reflection. Women often find themselves reinterpreting past challenges with compassion, seeing their younger selves in a new light. It can bring a sense of grief but ultimately a sense of clarity, and a way to find the support and strategies to help them navigate their differences in a strength-based way.
ADHD doesn't have to be about limits, it can be about unlocking possibility.
Available resources:
Additional Information: ADHD in Women: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Readings: Women with Attention Deficit Disorder 2nd (second) edition Text Only: Sari Solden: 9780978590925