What are common signs of ADHD in adult women?

This is a great topic that can be helpful to learn about if you’re a woman living with Attentive Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or suspect that you may have ADHD. This may be especially true if you don’t have what might be considered “traditional” symptoms. Women often have different symptoms or more muted symptoms than men which can cause them to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. For example, women tend to display symptoms of inattention instead of hyperactivity.  

In addition to this, some women are not diagnosed until later in life compared to men because they have learned to ignore symptoms/not complain or assume that what they are feeling is standard. Unfortunately, it is also the case that women’s concerns may be diminished in medical settings, so it is important to speak up and advocate for yourself. 

While this list isn’t exhaustive, below are some symptoms of ADHD that women may experience:

1. Emotional Dysregulation

• Women with ADHD often struggle with feeling quickly overwhelmed by daily life and the tasks associated with managing various areas of their life at home, work, and in their personal life.

• This can lead to anxiety, depression, mood swings, strong emotional responses, and anger which may not typically be associated with ADHD.

2. Distracted and Inattentive

• While we all can get distracted at times and struggle to pay attention, frequent forgetfulness, struggling to complete tasks, losing items or forgetting important people, items, or appointments may be associated with ADHD

• Focusing on tasks may be a challenge. This can include daydreaming or engaging in other activities to avoid doing the task that is bringing you stress.

3. Disorganization 

• Because women often take on many important roles, they can struggle to feel like they are managing all aspects of life well. However, if you are missing important meetings and struggling to prioritize important tasks, that could be a symptom of ADHD.

4. Low Self Esteem 

• Symptoms may include comparing yourself to others, not feeling good enough, setting unrealistic goals, and overcompensating to hide feeling unworthy.

5. Relationship Difficulties

• Women with ADHD may struggle to maintain romantic relationships as well as friendships. This may be due to frequent conflicts or being unable to manage social interactions.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above or have questions about whether your symptoms might meet criteria for ADHD, it may be helpful to reach out to a licensed mental health professional. There are many options available to help diagnose and treat ADHD.