Signs of ADHD in Women

Women are often expected to be organised, empathetic, and obedient. But for those with ADHD, these traits may not come naturally. This can make it hard to feel understood or accepted, especially if you experience impulsivity or disorganisation. Many women with ADHD try hard to hide their symptoms, fearing judgment for not fitting into society’s expectations.

In this article, you’ll learn:

Why ADHD looks different in women and why it often goes undiagnosed
How to recognise ADHD in yourself or a loved one
How to get the care and treatment that’s right for you

By understanding these differences, you can begin to make sense of your experiences and learn how to better manage your symptoms.

We use the term "women" to include those assigned female at birth, such as trans men and some non-binary people.

Signs & Symptoms of ADHD In Women

ADHD in women often looks different than it does in men. Women are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms, which can be harder to spot and may delay a diagnosis.

Inattentive ADHD symptoms include:

Difficulty paying attention to details, often making simple mistakes.
Finding it hard to stay focused on tasks or conversations.
Struggling to finish tasks or follow through on instructions, getting distracted or side-tracked.
Trouble organising tasks, whether at work, home, or in daily life.
Getting easily distracted by things around you.
Forgetting appointments, deadlines, or even daily tasks.

ADHD In Women Checklist

Some common symptoms of ADHD in adult women, according to recent research, include:

Daydreaming: You might often find yourself lost in thought, making it difficult to stay present.
Forgetfulness: It can be hard to remember even important things, like appointments or deadlines.
Low self-esteem: Struggling with ADHD symptoms may lead to feelings of self-doubt or inadequacy.
Relationship difficulties: You might find it challenging to maintain relationships due to misunderstandings or emotional ups and downs.
Emotional regulation challenges: Managing your emotions can feel overwhelming at times, leading to intense reactions.
Being labelled as "oversensitive": Others may perceive you as overly emotional, which can feel invalidating.
High stress levels: The daily pressures of life can feel even more intense when you're managing ADHD symptoms.
Feeling inadequate: It’s common to feel like you're not living up to expectations, whether at work, home, or in relationships.
A sense of missed opportunities: You may look back and feel like you‘re held back from reaching your full potential.
Fear of losing control: There may be moments when you worry that your emotions or actions could get the better of you.
Anger and irritability: Feeling frustrated or irritable more than others do.

Source: Miss. Diagnosis: A Systematic Review of ADHD in Adult Women published in the Journal of Attention Disorders (2023).

ADHD Women vs Men

For many years, ADHD was thought to mainly affect boys, leaving many women and girls undiagnosed and struggling in silence. However, ADHD can show up differently based on gender and cultural background. For example, boys with ADHD are often seen as hyperactive and impulsive, while girls might seem more like daydreamers or be viewed as forgetful.

As Dr Amol Vaze, one of our ADHD specialists, explains:
"In my work, I've seen that women with ADHD are just as likely to be hyperactive as men. The difference is in how they show these symptoms. Knowing this helps me provide more personalised care for women with ADHD."

ADHD in Girls vs Boys

Young girls and teenagers with ADHD often show different symptoms compared to boys. This can lead to their condition being overlooked or misdiagnosed. These subtle traits are less likely to cause concern in classroom settings or at home, so they often go unnoticed or are mistaken for other issues, like anxiety or being “scatterbrained.”

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As Dr Kenneth Lee, one of our specialists in child ADHD, explains:
‍"When girls come in for an assessment, we usually find they've had attention difficulties from early childhood. These problems become more noticeable as they get older, especially when they hit secondary school, where the academic and social demands increase."

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Girls with ADHD can also be more vulnerable to bullying—whether it’s physical, social, or even online. As they grow older, some girls may use harmful strategies like drinking alcohol or smoking cannabis to cope with feelings of rejection or isolation. These behaviours can further affect their emotional well-being. Recognising these patterns early and offering support can make a big difference in helping girls develop healthier ways to manage their ADHD.

Hormones and ADHD

Hormonal changes throughout a woman’s life can greatly affect ADHD symptoms. Fluctuations in hormones during the menstrual cycle can intensify symptoms, making them harder to manage. This is especially noticeable during the teenage years or menopause. For many girls and women, these shifts in mood and behaviour are often mistaken for emotional instability or depression. Sadly, this can lead to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Understanding how hormones influence ADHD can help ensure women receive the right support at the right time.

During pregnancy, many women notice an improvement in their ADHD symptoms due to the rise in oestrogen, which helps to balance brain chemicals. As women age and enter menopause, symptoms often worsen. This is because the natural decline in oestrogen levels can lead to increased challenges with attention and focus.

While there is still much to learn about how hormones affect ADHD, it’s clear that these changes can have a meaningful impact on women’s experiences. More research is needed to fully understand how hormonal fluctuations influence ADHD, which could lead to better treatment options for women at different stages of life.

Source: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the menstrual cycle: Theory and evidence in Hormones and Behaviour (2024)

ADHD in Mothers

Society often places the majority of household and parenting responsibilities on women. These expectations can feel especially overwhelming for mothers with ADHD. Juggling demands can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and feelings of self-doubt. Many women with ADHD experience low self-esteem, and when combined with the pressures of motherhood. This can lead to feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and the belief that they’re failing.

As Dr Amol Vaze explains: "It's common for women to discover they have ADHD when their child is diagnosed."

Recognising ADHD can be a turning point for mothers and their children. It allows the whole family to understand their challenges and support them in managing symptoms and the demands of daily life.

ADHD Symptom Masking in Women

Many women with ADHD become experts at hiding their struggles (called “masking”). They develop compensating strategies to stay focused or seem organised, often leading others to miss the real challenges they face. These strategies can help them get through the day, but they can also make it harder for people to see the difficulties underneath.

Not all coping mechanisms are helpful, though. Some women might avoid certain events or people, or spend too much time online to escape the stress. Others might not ask for help, even when they really need it. While these behaviours might offer short-term relief, they can often make it harder to manage ADHD in the long run. Understanding these patterns is the first step towards getting the right support and feeling more in control.

High Functioning ADHD In Women

As girls with ADHD grow into women, many go on to achieve success. They can excel in fields like law, medicine, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries. However, without proper assessment or support, they may continue to struggle silently. For some, the daily demands of life can feel overwhelming, especially when routines or structures aren’t in place.

You might recognise this in yourself:

Struggling to manage a heavy workload and feeling like an ‘imposter’
Relying on takeaways because planning meals feels overwhelming
Missing bill payments because distractions keep piling up

On the outside, it may seem like you have it all together, but managing undiagnosed ADHD while performing at a high level can be both painful and isolating. Burnout is common, as the constant effort to keep up becomes exhausting over time.

How Is ADHD Diagnosed In Women?

ADHD is diagnosed the same way in women as it is in men and involves a comprehensive clinical assessment. Although the process is the same, women face significant challenges when seeking an ADHD diagnosis, including:

Long waiting lists
Diagnostic criteria that may not fully consider how ADHD presents in women
Lack of recognition for ‘masked’ symptoms
Misdiagnoses for other conditions like anxiety, depression, or borderline personality disorder
Poor mental health due to lack of support
Internalised negative beliefs about themselves

Due to these difficulties, it's essential for clinicians to recognise that ADHD often shows up differently in people due to gender norms. Many women may have masked or hidden their symptoms to fit societal expectations. A detailed interview during the assessment can help reveal these signs that might have been missed.

If you think you may have ADHD, our team of ADHD experts understand the unique ways it can show up in women. Visit our ADHD Assessment page to learn more about how we can help. Getting a diagnosis can be an empowering step towards understanding yourself and receiving the support you need.

Why is ADHD less diagnosed in women?

Historically, ADHD has been seen as a condition that mostly affects boys. As a result, the diagnostic criteria were developed based on male behaviours, making it easier to identify ADHD in boys. This gender bias can lead to ADHD being overlooked in girls and women.

As a result, some women self-diagnose, recognising the symptoms in themselves before seeking formal confirmation. In many cases, women feel they need to "prove" their symptoms to be taken seriously by a doctor, as ADHD is often seen as something they have to fight to get recognised and treated.

Without a diagnosis, many women go through life feeling “different,” “stupid,” or “lazy,” often blaming themselves for not achieving what they feel they should. Receiving a diagnosis can be life-changing—it’s like a lightbulb moment that finally explains their struggles. For many women, it brings a sense of relief, allowing them to accept themselves and view their challenges in a new light.

After diagnosis, many women report feeling more in control of their symptoms. They no longer see themselves as the problem but instead realise that their difficulties are manageable and that they have the power to make positive changes in their lives.

ADHD In Adult Women Test

There isn’t a validated test specifically for adult women with ADHD, which is why having an assessment with an experienced clinician is essential. Many of the tests used are based on data from predominantly male or mixed-gender groups, which can sometimes miss subtle symptoms that are more common in women.

While online tests can give you an initial indication, they aren't a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Our free ADHD test on the website can help you recognise potential signs of ADHD, but if you score high, it’s important to follow up with a specialist for a full evaluation to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

ADHD Tips For Women

Tip 1 - Prioritise your mental health

Women with ADHD are more likely than men to experience anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. If you're struggling with any of these and think you might have ADHD, it could be helpful to explore an assessment or therapy.

Emotional symptoms, like mood swings or feeling easily upset, are often linked to ADHD but can sometimes be mistaken for depression. If your mood issues seem connected to ADHD rather than being constant, treating ADHD first may improve your overall mental health. On the other hand, if you experience a persistent low mood, it could be due to the challenges ADHD brings.

Getting support from a therapist who truly understands the challenges of ADHD can be incredibly beneficial. They can help you develop practical strategies that work with your unique brain, making it easier to manage stress, relationships, and emotional regulation.

Tip 2 - Consider hormonal changes

Hormonal fluctuations can often make ADHD symptoms worse. If you’re going through hormonal changes, be kind to yourself and seek the support of a healthcare practitioner who understands the impact of both ADHD and hormone shifts. Make sure to give your body time to rest and recover, and don’t hesitate to talk to friends or family for support.

There is early evidence suggesting that ADHD medications may affect women differently depending on where they are in their menstrual cycle. While routine medication adjustments based on the cycle aren’t yet widely recommended, some women find that adjusting their medication helps. This approach may be easier for adult women, who can take more control of their dosing, compared to younger girls who benefit from a consistent routine.

As hormonal changes occur during puberty, postpartum, and menopause, many women notice shifts in their ADHD symptoms. Tracking your symptoms during these times can help identify patterns, making it easier for your doctor to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Tip 3 - Be proud of your identity

Many women with ADHD struggle with confidence and self-esteem, especially when juggling the demands of work, home, and family. It’s important to focus on your strengths and positive qualities rather than getting caught up in perceived weaknesses or failures. ADHD doesn’t define you—your talents, resilience, and unique perspective do.

Support from a therapist or coach who understands ADHD can be key to helping you unpack how ADHD has shaped your self-image. Therapy can help you recognise how ADHD has affected your life and guide you in building a more empowering self-concept. Embracing your ADHD as part of your identity, rather than something to hide, allows you to see how it contributes to your strengths and helps you manage challenges with greater confidence.

Tip 4 - Ask for workplace support

Women with ADHD may face challenges in the workplace, such as disorganisation, forgetfulness, trouble focusing, or difficulties managing relationships with colleagues. These challenges can become even more complex if other conditions, like anxiety or depression, are also present.

Getting the right support at work can make a big difference. Some women benefit from group interventions, which can be helpful and cost-effective, while others may prefer one-on-one support based on their individual needs. In either case, focusing on managing stress, regulating emotions, and improving interpersonal skills—such as assertiveness, negotiation, and conflict resolution—can improve both job performance and workplace relationships.

If you’re in the UK, consider looking into the Access to Work scheme. You don’t need a diagnosis to apply, and the government can help cover the cost of workplace adjustments.

Autism and ADHD in Women

Research shows a strong connection between ADHD and autism. Between 40-70% of autistic people also have ADHD, and 20-50% of people with ADHD are autistic. When both conditions are diagnosed together, it's sometimes called AuDHD.

Gender biases and stereotypes mean that autism is more frequently recognised in men, leading to many women’s symptoms being overlooked. Similar to ADHD, many autistic women go undiagnosed. Despite this connection, there isn’t much research focused on women with both ADHD and autism.

The late diagnosis of autism and ADHD in women is a growing public health issue. We understand that late diagnoses affect a woman’s mental health and the support they receive from healthcare. Many women spend years feeling misunderstood, without knowing why they are struggling.

Our clinicians are trained to identify both ADHD and autism in women, even when symptoms have been masked or overlooked in the past. We provide thorough assessments to ensure an accurate diagnosis and offer tailored follow-up care to help you manage both conditions effectively.

ADHD Support For Women

At the London Psychiatry Clinic, we understand the unique challenges women with ADHD face. We provide thorough assessments tailored to the female experience, ensuring that your symptoms are fully understood and that you receive the most appropriate support.

Our comprehensive approach includes personalised treatment plans, whether through therapy, medication, or lifestyle strategies, all aimed at helping you manage your ADHD and thrive in daily life. To make it even easier, we offer online consultations, giving you the flexibility and privacy to seek support from the comfort of your own home.

If you’re ready to take the next step, try our free online ADHD screening test or explore our specialists offering ADHD assessments.

Conclusion

Women with ADHD often experience different symptoms and challenges than men, but with the right understanding and support, they can manage their condition and lead fulfilling lives.

Understanding these differences is the first step toward making sense of your experiences and finding effective ways to manage ADHD. If you’re ready to take the next step and get the support you deserve, simply call us today to speak with our friendly team.

Article Sources

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How Does ADHD Present In Women?