ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women

Many women aren't diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. Early signs can be missed, and coping mechanisms learned as children may not function as well as adults.

Treatment options include stimulant medication and other treatments like cognitive therapy for behavior. Support groups and coaching are also offered.

1. Inattentiveness

Women with inattentive ADHD struggle to stay on track whether at school or at work. They might forget basic tasks or make a few mistakes that cause frustration. They may also have trouble working on long-term or complex projects, which can cause them to fall behind in their commitments. The symptoms of inattention ADHD tend to persist into adulthood, though the level of impulsivity and hyperactivity tends to decrease.

Inattentive ADHD symptoms can be hard to spot for children and girls who don't show the same obvious signs of impulsivity and hyperactivity as boys and children who are assigned male at birth (AMAB). This means that the condition is undiagnosed during the early years, with girls often being misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety.


It can be a huge relief for women of adulthood who have battled these symptoms throughout their lives to finally receive a proper diagnosis. This will help to explain the challenges they have faced and can validate their experiences and provide a path to effective treatment.

Distractibility, which persists into adulthood, is yet another aspect that is often caused by inattention ADHD. People suffering from the condition may be easily pulled into diverting pursuits like video games or social media and have difficulty keeping their attention on the task at their disposal. They may also struggle to complete multi-step tasks, such as writing reports or paying bills.

Attention-deficit ADHD can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy which provides strategies for managing distractions, creating and using schedules and prioritizing tasks. Learning about the condition, locating support groups, and making environmental adjustments can be beneficial. A medical professional can suggest medications and other treatments to improve the quality-of-life for women with inattentive ADHD. Getting guidance from an experienced professional can assist women to manage their symptoms, improve their daily functioning, and reach their goals.

2. Hyperactivity

Women with ADHD may experience difficulties with hyperactivity. The inability to sit still or play games and difficulties completing tasks are all signs. They may speak or act before they have finished their sentences, and they may have an "thousand-yard stare". These symptoms can affect work, school, relationships and families. Getting diagnosed with ADHD takes time, but treatment, including psychotherapy and medication, can improve relationships, prepare you for success at work or school and help you comprehend yourself.

Despite being more prevalent than boys, little research has examined the effects of ADHD in adult, cisgender females. This is partly because the rating scales of ADHD symptoms tend to favor male behavior, and internalized feelings are difficult to quantify.

adhd signs in adults who suffer from ADHD can also struggle with the impulsivity of others, and could have trouble following through with commitments. Early sex initiation without planning, and an impulsive nature can make it easy for people with ADHD to engage in risky sexual activity. They are also more likely to develop sexually transmitted diseases or have unplanned pregnancy. They can also struggle with rejection sensitivity, an intense emotional response to real or perceived rejection.

Controlling ADHD symptoms can be a challenge at any age. add symptoms who suffer from ADHD have a variety of tools to help them manage their symptoms. These include medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications. Many adults with ADHD benefit by joining a support group to connect with other people who have similar challenges. They can also engage a coach to assist them with organization and executive functioning abilities, and also learn healthy coping strategies like exercising. Adults who suffer from ADHD might also want to consider participating in clinical trials to evaluate new treatments or medications. Visit the NIMH Clinical Trials page for more details.

3. Impulsivity

Girls and women with ADHD have trouble controlling their behavior. This can lead to low self-esteem and strained relationships. Their impulsive nature can expose them to being forced into unwanted sexual activity, or becoming an intimate partner's victim violence.

While impulsiveness can be part of all types of ADHD however, it is more prevalent in the inattentive subtype, which is what the majority of people who suffer from ADHD get diagnosed with. Inattentive ADHD is characterized by racing or distracted thoughts that lead to forgetting appointments or details, and easily distracted.

Inattentional ADHD can affect children and adults. It's less common in the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes, which is why many girls and women with this condition go undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis, even into adulthood.

Another reason women and girls might be more likely to conceal their ADHD symptoms is because of gender stereotypes. It's accepted for boys to act impulsively or disorganized, making it difficult for parents and teachers to spot girls' behavior problems.

Women suffering from ADHD are susceptible to a variety of other symptoms, such as mood swings and difficulties in social interaction. Their symptoms can vary from day to day depending on their fluctuating hormones. They can be exacerbated by, for example, a drop of estrogen after ovulation, or near menstrual cycle. Also, an unbalanced, processed and sugary diet can exacerbate symptoms. These women may be affected during the course of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and changes in hormones during menopausal.

4. Disorganization

Women suffering from ADHD often suffer from disordered thinking, a sign that can be mild or severe. For example, you may have to search for your keys often or spend hours looking for them at home. Your messy desk or bedroom make it difficult to find a suitable place to work. You might also have difficulty keeping track of your appointments or paying your bills.

Disorders can also affect your mental health. It is possible that you struggle to regulate your mood, leading to low self-esteem or feelings of inadequate. You could also be susceptible to impulsive behavior that could result in relationship issues. You might put off or delay tasks that require many details.

You may delay things that require effort due to the fact that you're not organized. This could lead to a build-up of unfinished projects which can cause stress. In addition, it can cause you to lose or forget important things, like medications or your wallet. It's easy to blame your disorganization on stress or a busy life, but these issues could be signs of ADHD.

Disorders that cause disorganization can also be a result of problems in your social and personal life. You might not know what to say to someone else's suggestion or you may interrupt them in an inappropriate manner. You might also be struggling to keep your emotions in check, which can lead to disputes or feelings of rejection.

Being diagnosed will help you gain knowledge about the symptoms you experience and how to manage them. You might be relieved to know that you are not the only person struggling with ADHD symptoms. You may be able seek treatment from your doctor or other health care provider like an ADHD coach or psychotherapy. You might also be able to take part in trials. Clinical trials are research studies that examine new ways to detect, prevent or treat diseases. Learn more about clinical trials on the NIMH Clinical Trials page.

5. Indecisiveness

Indecisive people may have difficulty making even the tiniest choices, like what to wear or where they want to take a bite. Indecisiveness can also impact larger decisions, such as choosing a career or buying the home of your dreams. People who are indecisive often feel trapped in an uncharted territory. This can lead to anxiety and stress.

Indecisive people may constantly weigh pros and cons or ask for advice, but they're unable to make a decision. Some people who are indecisive also have a difficult time accepting the consequences of their decisions. These behaviors can have a profound impact on their health and wellbeing.

People who aren't sure about their choices might avoid making any decision which could affect their relationships and lives. For instance, they might not apply for a job or begin dating because they fear the decision could be wrong. They may not even be able to buy a home or car as they are unable to make the right choice.

Indecisiveness can have a significant impact on work productivity and productivity. Indecisive leaders have been found to reduce motivation and decrease the morale of their teams. This can impact on employees who are in the same position, which can be passed on to the organization as a whole.

There are a variety of methods to help those who are having difficulty making decisions overcome their uncertainty. For example, they can be mindful by focusing on the present moment. They can also learn to trust their intuition. They can also seek out guidance from mental health professionals to recognize the thoughts and behaviors that prevent them from being able to make decisions.