The Full Guide To ADHD Symptoms For Women ADHD Symptoms For Women

Women who suffer from ADHD have reported emotional instability and sensitivity to rejection. They may also experience insomnia or poor quality sleep, which may cause symptoms to get worse.

Women and girls often mask their ADHD symptoms better than males, using coping strategies to meet the social expectations and norms. This can lead to misdiagnosis or delay in treatment.

1. Trouble focusing

For a lot of women suffering from ADHD concentration is the most difficult thing to do. The symptoms of this neurodevelopmental disorder can make it difficult to stay on task at school, in meetings at work, or even when listening to others talk. adult female adhd symptoms can also be difficult to complete daily tasks, like keeping track of appointments or making sure to take medications.

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. Women suffering from the inattentive type of the condition may struggle to organize their house or desks and may struggle to prioritize tasks according to CHADD. These problems can cause them to miss appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the right time or not follow through on their tasks. These problems can make them feel embarrassed about themselves and they may blame themselves for their problems.

Inattention ADHD symptoms can also make it difficult to keep track of the demands of life, resulting in poor school or work performance and an accumulation of debt. They can be caused by stress or other mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, which often co-occur with ADHD in women, according to CHADD.

Teachers and parents could be biased towards boys and men, causing women and girls to be overlooked. 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 increase symptoms in adult women with ADHD. They can be more noticeable during perimenopausal or menstrual cycle, the run-up to the menopausal phase of a woman as estrogen levels drop and can cause emotional issues like mood swings or irritation.

Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from stimulant medication to improve their concentration but it won't cure the condition. Other strategies, like lifestyle changes, mindfulness training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help with focus and organization. Certain schools and workplaces have accommodations to help with these issues.

2. Forgetting Things

Inattention can make it difficult to keep track of your daily tasks or manage responsibilities. It can be difficult to remember important information about people or events particularly when they occur in a noisy or crowded environment. You may also find that you frequently forget appointments or get late for work and school. Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to forgetting to pay bills or reply to emails, which could lead to financial stress and a sense of urgency. You may experience difficulties working in a crowded or noisy office. You may also get lost in conversations, causing the other person to feel ignored or misunderstood.

Many girls and women who have ADHD also struggle to maintain friendships. They also run the risk of being pushed into inappropriate sexual behaviour or becoming victims of intimate partner violence. They are more likely than others to feel overwhelmed because they are unable to manage their emotions. They might also have a problem with their self-esteem and may view their problems as an "personal fault" instead of realizing that their behavior may be linked to their ADHD symptoms.

Due to gender biases, women and girls with ADHD are not diagnosed because their symptoms are less obvious than those of males and boys. They could disguise symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders, which can result in a misdiagnosis or improper treatment.

ADHD symptoms can vary depending on the fluctuation in hormone levels. This is particularly the case during puberty when hormone levels decrease and progesterone levels rise. This can result in more frequent change in symptoms from day to day which makes it difficult to identify and treat ADHD properly.

Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment can help you gain how to manage your ADHD symptoms. You can also make lifestyle changes, like eating a balanced diet and avoiding sugar, caffeine and other stimulants that might cause symptoms to become worse. It is also possible to practice mindfulness techniques and meditation to help calm your mind, decrease impulsiveness and restlessness and improve your emotional control. A mental health professional may be able to help you by discussing possible accommodations that may assist you in managing ADHD symptoms at work or at school.

3. Disruptive Behavior

In most cases, women who suffer from ADHD have more irritable symptoms than those who are hyperactive or impulsive. It could be because the female and female brains differ from those of males and females, or it could have to do with how much activity is taking place in the regions of the brain responsible for managing disruptive and 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 are healthy, but others aren't long-lasting and could lead to other health problems. For instance women may turn to drinking or using drugs to cope with their symptoms. They might also develop depression or suffer from other mental health problems like anxiety. These unhealthy coping mechanisms can make it difficult for people to recognize they have a problem and may delay a correct diagnosis.

Disruptive behavior is among the most common symptom of adhd in women. It can impact their work or school performance, as well as their relationships. They usually involve not staying focused on a particular task, not remembering important events or tasks, and becoming easily distracted by other things in the surroundings or in their thoughts. They might fumble or tap their feet or hands or squirm in their seats. They may also talk loud or yell, and they may be disruptive.

Women who suffer from the primarily inattentive subtype of adhd can have trouble concentrating on lectures or conversations; keeping up with reading, writing or schoolwork; adhering to instructions at school or at work; and juggling daily tasks. They may be unorganized and messy and find it difficult to follow through on commitments or tasks. They are more likely to lose or misplace items such as glasses, wallets, keys and even wallets.

Having the predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type of adhd can disrupt work or school, cause social problems, and create relationship challenges. This type of disorder can cause problems at work, home, or school. It can also cause feelings of irritability, boredom and anger. They are not able to wait for their turn whether at school, at work, or home. They are also known to interrupt others frequently. They have a tendency to act recklessly and are not able to manage their behavior.

4. Anxiety

Women and girls who have ADHD may have a harder time to manage their symptoms. This is due to the social expectations that demand women and mothers to be the primary caregivers for their children and household. If a woman with ADHD is unable to keep up with her responsibilities, she can feel anxious and stressed which can lead to low self-esteem. This in turn makes it more difficult to seek out treatment for her ADHD.

In addition, women with ADHD often have difficulty getting diagnosed since their symptoms are not as prominent as the men and boys. 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 strategies for coping that mask their ADHD symptoms, like frequent fidgeting and forgetfulness that could be mistaken for symptoms of anxiety disorders.


Symptoms of ADHD for women can differ at different times during the woman's life. For instance, during times of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycles or pregnancy, a woman could notice her ADHD symptoms to be exacerbated. This could result in her being misunderstood or dismissed as an overly emotional woman, which adds to her feelings of frustration.

This article is based on research into how ADHD affects different people based on their gender. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. whereas gender is a subjective sense of being a woman, man, or nonbinary person. This distinction is important because it helps us to better know the reasons behind why ADHD can manifest differently in men and women. In this article, we refer to males and those who were assigned males at birth as boys and men. We also refer to females and those who were assigned female at conception as females and girls. This terminology is used in many research studies. For more information, read the guide on sex and gender by Verywell Health.