Signs And Symptoms Of ADHD in Women

When many women hear the term ‘ADHD,’ a certain image might come to mind: an animated young child, talking excessively and perhaps lacking the mental focus or impulse control to pay attention in class or heed their parents’ instructions. 

However, there is a full range of experiences and symptoms that can be associated with ADHD that can differ from this presentation. Greater awareness of this condition can mean more effective treatment options and a greater degree of therapeutic intervention, particularly for women with ADHD. 

Read on to learn more about the range of different ADHD symptoms in women and learn more about supportive strategies that can help people living with these conditions learn coping strategies, improve daily functioning, and attain a higher quality of life.

What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder that can affect people of all ages and genders. Typical assumed signs of ADHD can include patterns of hyperactive symptoms, impulsivity symptoms, inattention symptoms, defiant behavior, and lack of focus. 

Though the symptoms typically overlap, there may be gender differences in ADHD symptoms. Women with ADHD can exhibit their symptoms differently from men, whereby they develop methods of coping that can mask the true nature of their condition. To better understand this disorder, especially the ADHD symptoms in women, it can help to take a brief look back at its history.

The history of ADHD

Before the 1960s, little was explicitly known about ADHD, as it was originally called hyperkinetic impulse disorder and believed to affect children, primarily. British pediatrician, Sir George Still, reportedly noticed certain children were unable to control their behavior in a typical fashion, even though they did not lack intelligence when tested.

Over the next half-century, clinical research and treatments of the disorder were thought to increase until the American Psychiatric Association (APA) formally recognized attention deficit disorder (ADD) as a neurodevelopmental disorder. Doctors and mental health practitioners began noting potential causes and obvious risk factors that led to more accurate diagnosis of the condition. Advances in clinical psychiatry also made various new treatments for ADHD available to patients.

At that time, many believed that boys were more prone to exhibit hyperactivity than girls. Thus, a majority of the recorded focus turned to treatment and research with males, possibly leading to undiagnosed ADHD in women and limiting useful treatment options.

As research continued into the 1990s, many believe that they had a greater degree of benefit. Having more clearly defined symptoms generally meant parents, teachers, and caregivers were reporting cases more often. Doctors were also able to more effectively diagnose their own patients with the disorder. The understanding of a chronic or neurodivergent presentation also became more widespread, having lasting positive impact.

ADHD symptoms

People with ADHD tend show signs of hyperactive behavior, difficulty focusing, time management challenges, and loss of focus when attempting to complete tasks.  

Additionally, girls with ADHD may be described as being energetic and talkative when they display hyperactive traits. Conversely, they may seem disinterested, shy, or in a daydream when they show inattentive-subtype related traits.

For example: A girl living with symptoms of inattentiveness may not be likely to disrupt class with aberrant behavior. Some girls tend to sit silently, facing the teacher, appearing to listen and learn—when, in reality, their mind might be elsewhere. 

ADHD symptoms in women

Common signs and symptoms of ADHD in women can include:

• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• Forgetfulness and distractibility
• Difficulty sitting still and fidgetiness
• Erratic or impulsive behavior
• Disorganization
• Careless mistakes
• Overwhelming feelings
• Feelings of social ineptness

Additionally, ADHD in adult women can appear similar to other mental health conditions like anxiety disorders, obsessiveness, or depression—possibly making it harder for women to identify their own symptoms as ADHD and seek effective treatment.

The prevalence of ADHD in women

Women tend to report ADHD-aligned symptoms of inattentiveness, mood swings, or impulsive feelings that might have begun during their childhood. Some women might also carry feelings of low self-esteem or a negative self-image into adulthood.

An unfortunate aspect of reviewing the quantitative impact of ADHD is that a much larger number of women who live with ADHD may not be adequately treated for their condition. One finding estimates that 4.4% of adults in the U.S. have ADHD—however, the number of adult women with ADHD who go undiagnosed could be as high as 75%.

Additionally, according to one study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (Vol. 56, No. 6) when women with ADHD sought professional care for their condition, some found that their treatments sometimes had only a minor positive effect—and in certain cases, some experienced an adverse impact on their overall health. This manifested in different ways depending on the patient in question, sometimes resulting in a deepening of their depression, an increase in substance use disorder or eating disorders.

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

Many researchers believe that there may be a family link to the prevalence of ADHD in female populations. Research has been done in this area of study to confirm the possible correlation. A set of twin studies conducted in 2005 suggests that there’s a 76% chance of ADHD being a heritable condition, which could support the early intervention and support of children living with ADHD. 

Seeking help for ADHD

Many might wonder: What do you do if you think you have ADHD? 

ADHD treatment can vary on a person-to-person basis. Only a certified mental health provider or physician can evaluate patients and provide an ADHD diagnosis. If you believe you’re experiencing challenges or symptoms that could be related to ADHD, you might consider speaking with your primary care provider. They may refer to you a mental health practitioner, possibly allowing them to better address your situation and recommend a plan of action. This might include medication, individual therapy, support groups, or a combination thereof.

How can online therapy help women? ADHD treatment options

More women are turning to online therapy for help with managing their ADHD, generally enjoying the ability to schedule support from the comfort of their own home or office. Session participants may feel more empowered to move around the room or wear more comfortable clothing, possibly facilitating a feeling of reception—whereas traditional in-person counseling settings may feel restrictive or distracting. Therapy can help women develop coping mechanisms and learn life management skills that support disease control.

An additional benefit of online therapy for women living with ADHD is that they can also schedule therapy sessions on their own time. For example: If they know when they tend to function best during the day, they can schedule appointments during that window – in-person therapy settings cannot always accommodate this kind of request.

Not only is online therapy convenient for women who might be experiencing challenges with ADHD, it is also clinically suggested to be proven useful and effective for various universal mental illnesses—including ADHD.