10 Best Books On ADHD Symptoms For Women ADHD Symptoms For Women

Women with ADHD frequently experience symptoms of emotional volatility and sensitivity to rejection. They might also experience insomnia and poor sleep quality which can make symptoms worse.

Girls and women are typically better at concealing their ADHD symptoms and coping mechanisms to comply with social expectations and norms. This can lead to a misdiagnosis as well as a delay in treatment.

1. adhd symptoms in women test Focusing

For many women suffering from ADHD focus is the most difficult thing to do. This neurodevelopmental disorder makes it difficult to concentrate at school in meetings at work, or when reading and listening to other people talk. It can also be challenging to manage everyday tasks, such as keeping track of appointments or remembering to take your medication.

Difficulty focusing is one of the most common adhd symptoms for girls and women, regardless of their gender identity or whether they have hyperactive/impulsive or inattentive ADHD. According to CHADD, women with the inattentive type of the condition can struggle to organize their home and desk. They might be unable to prioritize tasks. These difficulties can lead to them missing appointments, showing up at the wrong time or at the wrong place, or failing to complete their work duties. They can make them feel embarrassed and blame themselves for their troubles, thinking they're lazy or forgetful.

Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can also make it hard to keep track of obligations, resulting in poor work or school performance and an accumulation of debt. They can be caused by stress or other mental health issues like anxiety and depression that often co-occur with ADHD in women, according to CHADD.

Teachers and parents might be biased against males and females, which can cause women and girls to be misdiagnosed. They may not be able to express their ADHD symptoms as well, especially the hyperactive/impulsive ones, and may have difficulty finding treatment that works for them.

Hormonal changes can also cause symptoms in adult women with ADHD. For example, they can be more evident during menstrual cycles or during perimenopause, which is the time before menopausal changes. This is when estrogen levels drop and can cause emotional issues such as mood swings and irritability.

Stimulant medication can increase the concentration of adults suffering from ADHD however it doesn't treat the condition. Other strategies, like lifestyle changes, mindfulness training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can aid in focusing and organization. Some workplaces and schools have facilities that can assist with these issues, as well.

2. Forgetting Things

The habit of forgetting can make managing daily tasks and responsibilities challenging. It may be difficult to keep track of important details especially when they take place in a noisy area. You might also find yourself not remembering appointments or being late to school or work. Women with ADHD tend to forget to pay bills or responding to emails, which could cause financial stress and a sense of urgency. You may have difficulty working in a noisy or busy office, and may zone out during conversations. This could cause the other person to feel ignored or misunderstood.

Many girls and women with ADHD are also having a difficult time maintaining friendships and are at risk of being forced into unwanted sexual activity or being victims of violence from intimate partners. They are more likely than other people to be overwhelmed because they struggle to control their emotions. They may also have issues with self-esteem and could be more likely to view their difficulties as "personal imperfections" rather than recognizing that their behavior is related to their ADHD symptoms.

Due to gender biases Due to gender bias, girls and women suffering from ADHD are underdiagnosed as their symptoms are less obvious than those of men and boys. They are more likely to camouflage their symptoms as mood disorders or anxiety which could lead to being misdiagnosed or incorrectly treated.

ADHD symptoms can be different based on hormone fluctuations. This is especially the case during puberty when hormone levels drop and progesterone levels increase. This can lead to a wider range of symptoms, which makes it more difficult to diagnose and manage ADHD.

Finding a doctor and getting treatment can help you learn life skills to manage your ADHD symptoms. You can also make lifestyle changes, like eating a well-balanced diet and limiting sugar, caffeine, and other stimulants that might cause symptoms to become worse. You can also try mindfulness and meditation techniques to calm your mind, decrease impulsiveness and restlessness and improve your emotional regulation. Talking with a mental health professional could be beneficial, since they can discuss possible accommodations at school or at work to assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms better.

3. Disruptive Behavior

Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be more inattentive than hyperactive or the symptoms of impulsivity. This could be because girls and women have different brains than males and females. Or it could be due to the volume of brain activity areas that regulate impulsive behavior.

As a result, it can be harder for a doctor to recognize and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women devise strategies to mask their symptoms. Some of these are healthy, however others are unsustainable and can cause other health problems. Some women, for example, turn to excessive alcohol and other drugs to deal with their problems. They may also become depressed or have other mental health conditions like anxiety. These unhealthy coping strategies can make it difficult for people to recognize mental health issues and delay a proper diagnosis.

Disruptive behavior is a common adhd symptom for women that can impact school or work performance and relationships. They can be a problem when they are incapable of staying focused on a specific task, or forgetting important tasks or events, and being easily distracted by the environment or their thoughts. They may fidget, tap their feet or hands or squirm. They can also yell or speak loudly, and may interrupt.


Women who suffer from the primarily inattentive subtype of adhd can struggle to concentrate on their lectures or conversations and juggling writing, reading or schoolwork; adhering to instructions at school or at work; and juggling daily tasks. They can be disorganized and messy and have a difficult time follow through on commitments or tasks. They are more likely to lose or misplace things such as keys, wallets and eyeglasses.

Having the predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type of adhd can disrupt work or school, cause social problems, and create relationship challenges. This type of adhd can cause issues at work, at home or in school. It can also lead to feelings of boredom, restlessness and frustration. They have a difficult waiting for their turn at school, home or in the workplace and they frequently interrupt others. They are prone to be reckless and aren't able to manage their behavior.

4. Anxiety

Women and girls who have ADHD may find it harder to manage their issues. This is due in part to the social expectations that demand women and mothers to be the primary caregivers for their children and household. If a woman suffering from ADHD struggles to keep up with her obligations, she may experience heightened feelings of anxiety that lead to low self-esteem. This in turn makes it more difficult to seek out treatment for her ADHD.

Women who suffer from ADHD are typically not diagnosed as easily as boys or men because their symptoms don't appear as obvious. They may present with primarily inattentive symptoms, which do not have the same outward appearance as hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms, making them less likely to receive a referral for treatment from teachers and parents. In addition, they are more likely to develop coping strategies that mask their ADHD symptoms, including excessive fidgeting and forgetfulness which can be mistaken for symptoms of anxiety disorders.

The symptoms of ADHD can change over the woman's life. For example, during periods of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycles or pregnancy, a woman may find her ADHD symptoms to become more intense. This could result in being viewed as an overly emotional woman, which adds to her sense of frustration.

This article is based on research into how ADHD affects different individuals based on their gender. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is a reference to biology, including chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy; while gender is a subjective sense of being a woman, man, or nonbinary person. This distinction is crucial as it enables a better understanding of how and why the ways in which ADHD manifests can differ between genders. This is why throughout this article we refer to both men and those assigned male at birth (AMAB) as men and boys as well as women and people assigned to female at birth (AFAB) as girls and women. This terminology is used in a variety of research studies. To find out more, check out Verywell Health's guide on gender and sexuality.