Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD is often misdiagnosed in girls since it manifests differently than boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
They also develop unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse, which mask ADHD symptoms and delay the diagnosis. Other conditions that coexist, like depression and anxiety, are also common in these people.
Inattention
Women who aren't attentive ADHD may have difficulty to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork or jobs. They might miss appointments or leave things around the house unattended. They struggle to organize personal finances, record-keeping, and household chores. It is also common for women with this condition to have issues with memory and forgetfulness, making it difficult for them to remember names or dates. They also have difficulty being still for long periods and aren't able to concentrate or follow instructions.
While hyperactivity and impulsivity are more often found in males and females but the subtype of inattention ADHD is equally prevalent in women and girls. In fact, it's believed that as high as 80 percent of ADHD sufferers aren't attentive. You must show five symptoms of inattention that last for more than six month to qualify for a diagnoses.
The inattention-related symptoms of ADHD are often harder to spot than other types of ADHD because many people don't consider them as a part of a disorder or have different expectations about how a girl should behave. Parents and teachers are less likely to suggest ADHD testing for girls than boys.
Women's ADHD symptoms can also change in time due to hormonal changes. Women's symptoms may worsen during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.
These symptoms can have a negative impact on the self-esteem of women and their satisfaction with life. They can cause feelings of shame and low self-worth because they make it hard to manage relationships, work and household tasks. Women who are not treated for ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. They could also engage in sexual behaviors which can increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and other health issues. They may also be afflicted by the sensitivity to rejection since they have a hard time accepting negative responses from others. They might avoid social situations or isolate themselves because of it.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity

In many cases the two are the first symptoms of ADHD in women and girls. They might be more procrastinative than usual, lose items or have difficulty concentrating. They may also be overwhelmed by the busy environment. They might also have a hard time sleeping or relaxing and are more prone to mood fluctuation and anxiety. These symptoms can lead to difficulties at school, at home and in their relationships.
Girls and women are often not considered for diagnosis of ADHD because the symptoms are more prevalent among boys and men. Health professionals and teachers don't suggest ADHD assessments as often for female students as they do for male students. This can lead both to an incorrect diagnosis as well as an inability to treat.
This, in conjunction with the tendency to hide their problems, could result in adults with ADHD suffer more than is typically reported. They may not be able to admit that they are having trouble concentrating at work or feel overwhelmed by household tasks. They may have difficulty making decisions when they go to the grocery shop or struggle to sleep or relax.
This can negatively impact their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root problem, they could develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that may include substance abuse or poor eating habits. This can cause more problems over time, and prevent the woman from receiving the assistance she needs.
It is also possible that ADHD-related behavior is more acceptable in the social context of males and girls however, they could be repressed or concealed by girls and women who are worried about being judged. For example, a girl who suffers from ADHD might display excessive and impulsive behavior in order to avoid being judged for not conforming to the social norms of her neighborhood or school.
These factors can ultimately create a cycle of confusion and frustration for women suffering from ADHD. It is crucial for family members, friends and educators to notice these struggles in girls and women, since they may be a sign of an undiagnosed disorder that requires treatment with medication management and therapy.
Emotional Problems
Women who suffer from ADHD often have a harder time than men to control their emotions. The moods of women with ADHD are more likely to fluctuate due to hormonal changes throughout the day, which can increase symptoms such as anger and feelings of feeling inadequate. Women with ADHD are also more likely to experience depression and anxiety. These emotional difficulties may have a significant impact on careers and relationships.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a slog for parents as well as children however, it is particularly challenging for women. Women are often shy or embarrassed about their ADHD and this may hinder them from seeking help. Women may attempt to cover up their symptoms by using strategies to cope, such as excessive drinking or substance abuse, but this can cause more harm. Masking can make it more difficult for employers and teachers to notice ADHD symptoms for women, and it can lead to a delay in diagnosing.
A woman suffering from ADHD might be able to manage to hide her symptoms throughout her adolescence and youth, but it's more challenging when she's an adult. Stress from everyday life and societal pressures to be successful in both relationships and work can intensify ADHD symptoms. These challenges can result in women with ADHD feeling like failures and low self-esteem. They can also cause ongoing stress. adhd signs in adults of ADHD may be a life-changing moment for certain women. It can help them understand the cause of their issues and allow them to feel more comfortable with themselves.
Many women with ADHD find it difficult to receive support at work or school. They may feel uncomfortable in telling a supervisor or professor and worry that their choice is seen as a sign of weakness or incompetence. The majority of teachers and supervisors are willing to make small adjustments to help those with ADHD succeed in their jobs.
In addition to finding people who can be supportive, women suffering from ADHD can benefit from joining online support groups for adults who suffer from ADHD. These groups can provide an opportunity to share stories and discuss the particular challenges of being a woman with ADHD as a woman.
Co-Occurring conditions
As women and girls become teenagers, they develop coping strategies that cover their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for others to detect. A girl may dress and act as her peers in order to avoid being criticized or bullied by other people. She could try to compensate for her impulsive, unorganized behavior by putting more effort into school or at work or using productivity apps to complete her tasks. These and other coping mechanisms can disguise the presence of ADHD in women and delay the diagnosis until she is an adult.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often diagnosed with anxiety or depression before they receive an official diagnosis. add symptoms could conceal the presence and signs of ADHD. They may also complicate treatment.
Women and girls with ADHD are also more likely to be afflicted by low self-esteem, as well as coexisting mood disorders. They are often misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable or temperamental, which increases their feelings of frustration.
ADHD symptoms can cause women to have difficulties in their relationships. They are more likely than men to miss birthdays and to make mistakes with minor details. This can lead to miscommunication and conflict. They may also struggle to manage household chores, personal finances and everyday responsibilities. add symptoms can make them feel exhausted and overwhelmed and can lead to a dysfunctional internal landscape of their beliefs about their worth.
Gender bias in clinical settings also influences the rate that women and girls are recommended to receive an ADHD evaluation. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked parents and teachers to read vignettes that described children with ADHD symptoms and evaluated their likelihood to recommend or seek services for the child depicted. They found that the participants were more likely to recommend services for boys than girls.
Like other conditions, ADHD can vary in severity for individual patients and may worsen at various times. For instance, symptoms can be more evident during a woman’s menstrual period or during pregnancy or the menopausal cycle. These changes can lead to issues with social functioning, relationships and academic performance, and contribute to feelings of frustration and failure.