Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Does ADHD Look Different in Women?Why Symptoms OverlookedWhat Does Untreated ADHD Look Like in Women?Common SignsCo-Occurring ConditionsTreatment for ADHD in Women
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Does ADHD Look Different in Women?
Why Symptoms Overlooked
What Does Untreated ADHD Look Like in Women?
Common Signs
Co-Occurring Conditions
Treatment for ADHD in Women
Close
Women with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often live undiagnosed. This diagnosis gap happens partly because it’s a condition that was traditionally thought to affect mostly men, but also because women tend to have less obvious or socially disruptive symptoms than men.
This article discusses how ADHD symptoms may differ in women and why these symptoms are often overlooked. It also covers the ways that these symptoms might impact daily life.
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One of the reasons why ADHD frequently goes undiagnosed in women andgirlsis that their symptoms may present differently from those of men and boys. ADHD comes in three presentations: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or a combination of the two.
Men and boys tend to have hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, which may cause them to be fidgety, always on the go, disruptive, restless, talkative, impulsive, impatient, and have mood swings.
On the other hand, women tend to exhibit inattentive ADHD, making it hard to focus, pay attention to details, stay organized, listen, and remember things.
Gender bias may also play a pivotal role in the misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis of ADHD in women and girls. Some of the characteristics of inattentive ADHD, such as being shy or impulsive, are often viewed as personality traits rather than symptoms when they occur in girls and women.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls (12.9% vs. 5.6%).However, research suggests that this disparity is not because boys are more susceptible but instead because girls are consistently underdiagnosed.
Studies generally show that while men and women with ADHD are more alike than different, there are a few small differences. During adolescence, girls tend to have fewer coping strategies and worseself-efficacythan boys. Girls and women also have fewerexternalizing symptomssuch as aggression than men, but higher levels of depression and anxiety.
ADHD in WomenLess likely to be diagnosedLow self-esteem and anxietyMore symptoms of inattentionVerbal aggressionADHD in MenMore likely to be diagnosedDisruptive behaviors and acting outMore hyperactivity and impulsivenessPhysical aggression
ADHD in WomenLess likely to be diagnosedLow self-esteem and anxietyMore symptoms of inattentionVerbal aggression
Less likely to be diagnosed
Low self-esteem and anxiety
More symptoms of inattention
Verbal aggression
ADHD in MenMore likely to be diagnosedDisruptive behaviors and acting outMore hyperactivity and impulsivenessPhysical aggression
More likely to be diagnosed
Disruptive behaviors and acting out
More hyperactivity and impulsiveness
Physical aggression
Why ADHD in Women Is Often Misdiagnosed
ADHD symptoms in girls are often viewed as character traits rather than symptoms of a condition. For example, a girl might be described as spacey,forgetful, or chatty. Later in life, a woman might reach out for help for her symptoms, only to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety instead.
The good news is that there is an increasing awareness aboutADHD symptomsin women, which means more women are able to get the help they need.
Women with ADHDface the same feelings of being overwhelmed and exhausted as men with ADHD commonly feel.
Psychological distress, feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and chronic stress are common. Often, women with ADHD feel that their lives are out of control or in chaos, and daily tasks may seem impossibly huge.
Our culture commonly expects women to fill the caretaker role. When things feel out of control and it’s difficult to organize and plan because of ADHD, taking care of others can feel nearly impossible. This societal pressure also may greatly increase a woman’s feelings of inadequacy.
What Are the Signs of ADHD in Women?
You may notice signs of ADHD in many different areas of your life. Some of these symptoms may be worse or more noticeable in certain contexts, such as at work or school. You may find that you spend a lot of time and effort to appear “normal.”
Relationships
You may wish you were able to be a better friend, partner, or mom, and that you could do the things that other people do. For example, you may wish you could remember birthdays, bake cookies, and arrive on time for a date.
Because you’re not able to do the things that society expects women to do, people may think you don’t care.
Social Life
Growing up, you may have been described as a tomboy because you had so much energy and liked to be busy. As an adult, friendships can be difficult to navigate because social rules seem complicated. People may say that you talk more than anyone else they know.
While you may be talkative, you may dislike going to parties and other social gatherings because they make you feel overwhelmed and shy. Your mind drifts during conversations unless you’re the one talking or it’s a topic you find very interesting.
Work
Being at the office feels difficult. The noise and people make it hard to get work done. You may choose to stay late or come in early because the only time you can work effectively is when everyone else has left and it’s quiet.
Your desk at work is piled high with papers. Even when you make a big effort to tidy it, it only stays clear for a day or two.
School
In school,ADHD symptoms in girlsmay get overlooked because women are more likely to have inattentive ADHD, which doesn’t have the visible behavior problems that hyperactive/impulsive ADHD usually does.Girls with ADHD may alsohyperfocuson things that interest them, leading teachers and parents to overlook the possibility of ADHD.
Daily Life
With ADHD, it may feel like each day is spent responding to requests and limiting disasters rather than moving forward with your goals. You may feel crushing sadness and frustration that you haven’t met your potential. Other daily struggles may include:
Relaxing is often difficult for people with ADHD. Little things can push you over the top and you may become emotional.
Many women are relieved to learn that behaviors they have been struggling with for as long as they can remember are because of ADHD.
If you have symptoms affecting your life, it’s normal to wonder if you might have ADHD or another condition such as anxiety. Other conditions can also be present along with ADHD. When you have more than one condition, they are called comorbid or coexisting conditions. Here are some conditions that women often have in addition to their ADHD:
It’s good to be aware of these coexisting conditions because they can cause symptoms that look similar to ADHD. This, in turn, can makediagnosing ADHDmore complex. However, an experienced clinician will be aware of this challenge.
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Effective treatment for ADHD in women often involves several different approaches. Recommended treatments depend on various factors, including the nature,severity, and impact of ADHD symptoms.
ADHD treatments may include medication,therapy, lifestyle changes, and accommodations in school, work, and home.
Once you know that you have ADHD, you can feel more empowered to take steps to get help and make changes in your life that will help you to better manage the symptoms of the condition. It can also help you better appreciatesome of your strengths, such as high energy levels and creativity, that you can leverage when coping with the challenges you face.
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4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: Uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord.2014;16(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596Skogli EW, Teicher MH, Andersen PN, Hovik KT, Øie M.ADHD in girls and boys – Gender differences in co-existing symptoms and executive function measures.BMC Psychiatry. 2013;13(1):298. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-13-298Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Reviewed November 16, 2020.Rucklidge JJ.Gender differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(2):357-73. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.01.006
4 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: Uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord.2014;16(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596Skogli EW, Teicher MH, Andersen PN, Hovik KT, Øie M.ADHD in girls and boys – Gender differences in co-existing symptoms and executive function measures.BMC Psychiatry. 2013;13(1):298. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-13-298Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Reviewed November 16, 2020.Rucklidge JJ.Gender differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(2):357-73. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.01.006
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: Uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord.2014;16(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596Skogli EW, Teicher MH, Andersen PN, Hovik KT, Øie M.ADHD in girls and boys – Gender differences in co-existing symptoms and executive function measures.BMC Psychiatry. 2013;13(1):298. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-13-298Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Reviewed November 16, 2020.Rucklidge JJ.Gender differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(2):357-73. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.01.006
Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: Uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord.2014;16(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596
Skogli EW, Teicher MH, Andersen PN, Hovik KT, Øie M.ADHD in girls and boys – Gender differences in co-existing symptoms and executive function measures.BMC Psychiatry. 2013;13(1):298. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-13-298
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Reviewed November 16, 2020.
Rucklidge JJ.Gender differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010;33(2):357-73. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2010.01.006
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