ADHD is Different in Women and Girls
ADHD in women and girls often looks different from the classic male stereotype. Symptoms are more internalised, with greater struggles in attention, organisation, and emotional regulation, while hyperactivity may appear as mental restlessness, leading many females to be overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder, or ADHD, is a condition that many girls and women have, but so often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. This leads to many women and girls being left with untreated ADHD, which can lead to many negative outcomes.
Women and girls being misdiagnosed or not diagnosed with ADHD are in part because the condition is traditionally thought to mostly affect men, but also because there is a tendency for women to generally display symptoms that are less obvious or socially disruptive than men.
Women with the disorder tend to be less hyperactive and impulsive, more disorganized, scattered, forgetful, and introverted and this makes ADHD harder to detect and diagnose.
Research also suggests that by adulthood, the diagnosis gap between men and women significantly decreases, as many women only recognize their ADHD after years of struggling with work, relationships, and daily responsibilities.
Symptoms of ADHD in women and how they differ from men
ADHD presents in three different ways: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and some combination of the two.
According to the 5th edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, ADHD symptoms may fall into three subtypes: Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD Type, Inattentive ADHD Type, or Combined ADHD Type, a combination of both Hyperactive/Impulsive Type and Inattentive Type. When boys and men have ADHD, they tend to have the Hyperactive/Impulsive type or Combine Type. Inattentive Type ADHD is more common in girls and women.
Many clinicians still rely on diagnostic tools that were originally designed around male ADHD presentations, which increases the risk of missed or incorrect diagnoses in women and girls.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms are still largely misunderstood and misdiagnosed by medical professionals who mistake them for mood disorders, anxiety, or other related conditions.
Symptoms of Inattentive Type ADHD look like being:
Fidgety or restless
Disruptive or talkative
Impulsive
Impatient
In constant need to do something/be on the go
(Having) mood swings
Girls and women tend to have the inattentive type of ADHD, where they find it difficult to:
Pay attention to details
Focus
Stay organized
Listen
Remember things
Some of the characteristics of this type of ADHD, like being shy or impulsive, can be mistaken for personality traits rather than symptoms.
Many women also develop sophisticated coping or “masking” strategies to hide these struggles, which can lead to chronic stress, burnout, and emotional exhaustion over time.
Why are women so often misdiagnosed?
Adolescent girls generally have fewer coping strategies and less self-efficacy than boys do, coupled with fewer external symptoms (like aggression) than boys, but greater levels of depression and anxiety.
Because their difficulties are more internalized, girls are often described as “anxious,” “sensitive,” or “overthinkers,” rather than being evaluated for ADHD.
More often than boys, young girls are labeled as spacey, daydreamer, chatty, or forgetful, and their symptoms are effectively dismissed. Later in life as a woman, these same girls might reach out for help for their ADHD, and be given a depression or anxiety diagnosis.
Hormonal changes throughout a woman’s life — including puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause — may also worsen ADHD symptoms and make them more noticeable during certain life stages.
Why is not being diagnosed with ADHD a problem?
Social, daily, academic, and work life can be complicated when women don’t understand why they can’t perform like others can. When women or girls are unaware that they have ADHD they can feel inadequate because they just can’t seem to do the things that society expects them to do, like show up to an event on time, remember birthdays, etc.
Confused and ashamed by their struggles, girls and women can internalize this ability to not meet social expectations. Common symptoms of ADHD like trouble prioritizing, organizing, coordinating, and paying attention are seen as personal character flaws and not characteristics of a common disorder.
Over time, this can contribute to low self-esteem, chronic stress, relationship difficulties, and higher vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and burnout.
With more awareness about ADHD and how women express ADHD, many more women and girls will be able to realize they do not have character flaws and seek out an ADHD evaluation.
Obtaining a diagnosis of ADHD can offer validation, insight, and self-acceptance and may also guide you to the appropriate ADHD treatment.
Overcompensation, Perfectionism, and Emotional Burnout
Many women with ADHD develop a pattern of overcompensation early in life. In an effort to meet expectations, they may become extreme perfectionists, over-prepare constantly, or push themselves far beyond healthy limits to appear “on top of everything.”
While this can sometimes lead to external success, it often comes at a high emotional cost. Chronic exhaustion, self-doubt, and feelings of inadequacy are common, especially when their internal world feels chaotic despite outward achievements.
This cycle of overcompensation can mask ADHD symptoms even further, making it harder for both individuals and professionals to recognise the underlying condition. Over time, this disconnect between internal struggle and external performance can contribute to burnout, anxiety, and a deep sense of frustration.
There is Hope For You
Getting an official ADHD diagnosis and treatment isn't just about managing symptoms; it's about gaining a deeper understanding of yourself, unlocking your potential, and finding acceptance and support within a community that shares your experiences. It's a powerful first step towards building a life that feels manageable, fulfilling, and uniquely yours.
Many women report that receiving a diagnosis later in life helps them reframe decades of self-blame, replacing shame with self-compassion and clarity.
Here at the Thriving Wellness Center, we specialize in ADHD Evaluations and ADHD Treatment. We have locations in New York and New Jersey and perform thorough and professional ADHD testing and therapy in-person and online.
If you are newly diagnosed with ADHD or interested in getting a diagnosis in New York, New Jersey, or virtually please contact us to see how we can help you improve your life.
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