What are common adhd symptoms in women?

That’s a great and important question. ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It’s a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to focus, manage tasks, stay organized, and regulate impulses or activity levels. While it’s often diagnosed in childhood, many people don’t realize they have ADHD until adulthood, especially women and girls, whose symptoms can be more subtle.

There are three main types of ADHD - Predominantly Inattentive Type, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, and Combined Type. ADHD often shows up a little differently in women and girls than it does in men, which means it’s sometimes overlooked or misdiagnosed.

To answer your specific question, below are some common ADHD symptoms in women.

1. Difficulty with Focus and Attention

• Trouble concentrating, especially on tasks that aren’t interesting
• Getting easily distracted by thoughts, sounds, or surroundings
• Frequently losing things (keys, phone, papers)

2. Forgetfulness and Disorganization

• Forgetting appointments, deadlines, or daily tasks
• Struggling to keep spaces organized (desk, home, calendar)
• Starting projects but having a hard time finishing them

3. Emotional Sensitivity

• Feeling easily overwhelmed or frustrated
• Strong emotional reactions, mood swings, or sensitivity to criticism
• Sometimes being labeled as “overly emotional”

4. Restlessness or Internal Hyperactivity

• Feeling mentally restless, even if not physically “hyperactive”
• Racing thoughts or constantly thinking of many things at once
• Difficulty relaxing or “turning off” the mind

5. Perfectionism or People-Pleasing 

• Working extra hard to “keep up” with responsibilities
• Overcommitting or saying “yes” to avoid disappointing others

6. Challenges with Time Management

• Procrastination
• Difficulty estimating how long tasks will take
• Running late or feeling constantly behind

7. Anxiety or Depression 

• Many women with ADHD also experience anxiety or depression, often related to feeling overwhelmed by daily demands.
  Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to show inattentive symptoms (difficulty focusing, forgetfulness) rather than the more visible hyperactivity that’s often seen in boys. Many women also develop coping strategies that hide their struggles until adulthood, when responsibilities grow.

With the right diagnosis and treatment plan, many people are able to find relief from symptoms, develop effective strategies, and experience improved health and overall well-being. ADHD is common and treatable, and with support like therapy, coaching, and sometimes medication, many people find ways to work with their brains—not against them.  I hope this information is useful to you.  Thank you again for bringing up this thoughtful question.