What are the Signs of ADHD in Women?

Women are often expected to be organised, empathetic, and compliant. For those with ADHD, these traits may not come naturally, which can make it difficult to feel understood or accepted—especially if you experience impulsivity, distractibility, or disorganisation. Many women with ADHD go to great lengths to mask their symptoms, worrying about judgment for not meeting society’s expectations.

In this article, you’ll explore:

• Why ADHD often presents differently in women and can go undiagnosed
• How to recognise ADHD in yourself or a loved one
• Ways to access care and treatment that fit your needs

Understanding these differences can help you make sense of your experiences and learn strategies to manage your symptoms effectively.

Note: The term “women” in this article includes those assigned female at birth, such as trans men and some non-binary people.

Signs & Symptoms of ADHD in Women

ADHD often presents differently in women than in men. Women are more likely to show inattentive symptoms, which can be subtle and sometimes delay a diagnosis.

Common inattentive ADHD symptoms in women may include:

• Difficulty paying attention to details, often leading to small mistakes
• Trouble maintaining focus on tasks, conversations, or activities
• Struggling to complete tasks or follow instructions, frequently getting distracted or sidetracked
• Challenges with organising tasks at work, home, or in daily life
• Being easily distracted by your surroundings
• Forgetting appointments, deadlines, or everyday responsibilities

Recognising these patterns can help women understand their experiences and seek the support or strategies they need.

ADHD in Women: Common Symptoms Checklist

Research shows that adult women with ADHD may experience a unique set of challenges. Some common signs include:

• Daydreaming: Frequently getting lost in thought, making it hard to stay present.
• Forgetfulness: Struggling to remember important things, such as appointments, deadlines, or daily tasks.
• Low self-esteem: Feeling self-doubt or inadequacy due to difficulties managing symptoms.
• Relationship challenges: Experiencing misunderstandings or emotional ups and downs that make maintaining relationships harder.
• Emotional regulation difficulties: Intense emotions or feeling overwhelmed by your reactions.
• Being perceived as “oversensitive”: Others may see you as overly emotional, which can feel invalidating.
• High stress levels: Everyday pressures can feel amplified when coping with ADHD symptoms.
• Feeling inadequate: Worrying that you’re not meeting expectations at work, home, or in personal relationships.
• Sense of missed opportunities: Feeling like ADHD has held you back from reaching your full potential.
• Fear of losing control: Concern that emotions or impulses might take over in certain situations.
• Anger and irritability: Experiencing frustration or irritability more intensely or frequently than others.

This checklist can help you identify patterns in your own experiences or better understand the challenges someone you care about may be facing.

ADHD in Women vs. Men

For decades, ADHD was often thought to primarily affect boys, which meant many women and girls went undiagnosed and struggled quietly. ADHD can present differently depending on gender and cultural expectations. For instance, boys with ADHD are more likely to display hyperactivity and impulsivity, while girls may appear more inattentive—often daydreaming, forgetful, or quietly struggling in ways that are less noticeable.

ADHD in Girls vs. Boys

ADHD can present differently in young girls and teenagers compared to boys, which often leads to their symptoms being overlooked or misdiagnosed. Subtle traits—like being quietly inattentive or frequently daydreaming—may not raise concerns in the classroom or at home and can be mistaken for anxiety, shyness, or simply being “scatterbrained.”

Girls with ADHD may also face higher risks of social challenges, including bullying—whether physical, social, or online. As they grow older, some may turn to coping strategies such as alcohol or cannabis use, which can further impact emotional well-being.

Early recognition and support are crucial. By understanding these patterns, caregivers and educators can help girls develop healthier strategies for managing ADHD, improving both emotional health and daily functioning.

Hormones and ADHD

Hormonal changes throughout a woman’s life can significantly influence ADHD symptoms. Fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, for example, can make attention, focus, and emotional regulation more challenging—especially during teenage years or menopause. These shifts are often misinterpreted as moodiness, emotional instability, or depression, which can lead to misdiagnosis and delayed support. Understanding the role of hormones in ADHD is key to providing the right care at the right time.

During pregnancy, many women notice an improvement in ADHD symptoms due to higher oestrogen levels, which help regulate brain chemicals. However, as women approach menopause, declining oestrogen can make attention and focus more difficult, often intensifying ADHD challenges.

While research on hormones and ADHD is ongoing, it is clear that these changes can meaningfully affect women’s experiences. A better understanding of hormonal influences may eventually lead to more effective treatment strategies tailored to each stage of life.

ADHD in Mothers

Society often places a large share of household and parenting responsibilities on women, which can feel especially overwhelming for mothers with ADHD. Balancing these demands may increase stress, anxiety, and self-doubt. Many women with ADHD also struggle with low self-esteem, and the pressures of motherhood can intensify feelings of guilt or inadequacy, leaving some feeling as though they’re not living up to expectations.

Recognising ADHD can be a transformative moment for mothers and their families. Understanding how ADHD affects daily life allows women to develop strategies for managing symptoms, while helping the whole family provide the support needed to navigate parenting and household responsibilities more effectively.

ADHD Symptom Masking in Women

Many women with ADHD become highly skilled at “masking” their symptoms, using strategies to appear organised, attentive, or in control. While these coping mechanisms can help them navigate daily life, they often conceal the real challenges they face, making it harder for others—and even themselves—to recognise the impact of ADHD.

Not all coping strategies are beneficial. Some women may avoid certain situations or people, spend excessive time online to escape stress, or hesitate to ask for help even when it’s needed. Although these behaviours can provide temporary relief, they can complicate long-term management of ADHD. Recognising these patterns is an important first step toward accessing the right support and regaining a sense of control.

High-Functioning ADHD in Women

Many girls with ADHD grow into women who achieve remarkable success in careers like law, medicine, entrepreneurship, and the arts. Yet, without proper assessment or support, they may continue to struggle quietly. Daily demands can feel overwhelming, particularly when routines and structures aren’t in place.

You might notice some of these patterns in yourself:

• Feeling like an “imposter” despite managing a heavy workload
• Relying on takeout because meal planning feels too complicated
• Forgetting bills or appointments due to constant distractions

From the outside, it may appear that everything is under control. However, living with undiagnosed ADHD while maintaining high performance can be exhausting and isolating. Burnout is common, as the ongoing effort to keep up takes a significant emotional and mental toll.

How Is ADHD Diagnosed in Women?

ADHD is diagnosed in women using the same clinical assessment process as in men, involving a thorough evaluation of symptoms, history, and daily functioning. However, women often face unique challenges in obtaining an accurate diagnosis, such as:

• Long waiting lists for assessments
• Diagnostic criteria that may not fully reflect how ADHD presents in women
• Symptoms that are masked or compensated for to meet societal expectations
• Misdiagnoses, such as anxiety, depression, or borderline personality disorder
• Deteriorating mental health due to lack of support
• Internalised self-criticism or feelings of inadequacy

Because ADHD can look different in women, it’s crucial for clinicians to consider gender-related factors during assessment. Detailed interviews can help uncover symptoms that may have been hidden or minimised, ensuring that women receive the accurate diagnosis and support they need.

Why Is ADHD Less Frequently Diagnosed in Women?

ADHD has long been perceived as a condition that primarily affects boys. Consequently, diagnostic criteria were developed based on male behaviours, making it easier to identify ADHD in boys while leaving many girls and women underdiagnosed.

Because of this gender bias, some women end up self-diagnosing, recognising their own symptoms before seeking professional confirmation. Many feel they must “prove” their experiences to be taken seriously, as ADHD is often overlooked or misunderstood in women.

Without a diagnosis, women may go through life feeling “different,” “lazy,” or “stupid,” blaming themselves for challenges beyond their control. Receiving a formal ADHD diagnosis can be transformative—a moment of clarity that finally explains long-standing struggles. For many, it brings relief and a renewed sense of self-acceptance.

After diagnosis, women often feel more empowered and in control of their symptoms. Rather than seeing themselves as the problem, they begin to understand their difficulties as manageable challenges, giving them the tools and confidence to make positive changes in daily life.

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 notice these challenges and suspect ADHD, seeking an assessment or therapy can be invaluable.

Emotional symptoms—such as mood swings or feeling easily upset—are often linked to ADHD but can be mistaken for depression. If your mood shifts are episodic and tied to ADHD patterns, addressing ADHD may improve your overall mental health. Persistent low mood, however, could stem from the stress ADHD creates.

Working with a therapist who understands ADHD can make a big difference. They can help you develop practical strategies for managing stress, relationships, and emotional regulation in ways that align with your unique brain.

Tip 2 – Consider Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations can intensify ADHD symptoms, particularly during puberty, the menstrual cycle, postpartum, and menopause. Be gentle with yourself during these times and seek support from a healthcare professional who understands both ADHD and hormonal impacts.

Early evidence suggests ADHD medications may affect women differently depending on where they are in their menstrual cycle. While cycle-based medication adjustments aren’t yet standard practice, some adult women find tweaking doses helpful for symptom management. Tracking your symptoms during hormonal changes can help you and your doctor identify patterns and adjust treatment as needed.

Tip 3 – Embrace Your Identity
Many women with ADHD struggle with confidence, especially when balancing work, home, and family responsibilities. Focusing on your strengths, resilience, and unique talents is crucial—ADHD doesn’t define you.

Support from a therapist or ADHD coach can help you understand how ADHD has shaped your self-image and guide you in building a more empowering identity. Embracing ADHD as part of who you are allows you to leverage your strengths and navigate challenges with greater confidence.

Tip 4 – Seek Workplace Support
ADHD can create challenges at work, such as forgetfulness, disorganisation, trouble focusing, or difficulty navigating workplace relationships. These challenges may be compounded by anxiety or depression.

Finding the right support at work can make a major difference. Some women benefit from group interventions, while others prefer one-on-one coaching tailored to their needs. Focusing on stress management, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills—like assertiveness, negotiation, and conflict resolution—can improve both performance and workplace relationships.

In the UK, consider the Access to Work scheme, which can help cover the cost of workplace adjustments. You don’t need a formal ADHD diagnosis to apply, making it a practical option for support.