Female Symptoms of ADHD

Adolescent and female girls with ADHD typically exhibit inattentional symptoms, instead of the hyperactivity and impulsivity more often observed in men and boys. This makes them more susceptible to being misdiagnosed and overlooked.

Stereotypes about gender can contribute to this as caregivers may believe that girls who are quiet or dreamy are just "being girls." Also, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle and during perimenopausal cycles can trigger ADHD symptoms to become more severe.

1. Hyperactivity

When it is about ADHD the first impression many people have is of the hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls of class. This is a type of ADHD that affects women and girls. ADHD symptoms for women and young girls are more difficult to detect than in boys, so the condition is often misdiagnosed or untreated.

In some cases women with ADHD exhibit impulsive behavior that make it difficult to pause and think about their actions before committing. They might not be able listen well when others are talking, and they may have difficulty following instructions or working through tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and miscommunications in relationships with family members, romantic partners, friends and coworkers.

Many women with ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection, which is a heightened emotional response to actual or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for a woman who suffers from ADHD to cope, particularly when she is self-conscious or is struggling with peer relationships.

ADHD symptoms in women can manifest at different times, including during pregnancy, menstruation and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger irritation, mood swings and problems with concentration.

Exercise, diet and sleep habits can help women and girls with ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It can also help to reduce anxiety and stress that are common among women with ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks can help ADHD symptoms. Using tools like planners, checklists, and post-it notes to keep track of tasks can be beneficial for many people with ADHD. In certain instances healthcare professionals can prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.

2. Attention

Girls and women who have inattention ADHD are often not diagnosed, even when symptoms are severe. They can't keep up in school, their homes are messy and they struggle with relationships and their work performance. They might try to make up for it by hiding their symptoms or by convincing themselves that they're not affected them.

Gender bias also can play a role in misdiagnosis or omissions. For instance, if males exhibit symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity and signs, they are more likely to get referred for diagnosis and treatment. Girls who display inattention are often dismissed as ditzy, dreamy or space cases.

Inattention can manifest in many ways. You may miss appointments, fail to follow through with promises or find it difficult to stay focused during classroom lectures. You aren't able to wait for your turn and you constantly interrupt other people when you are talking. You have a poor memory and frequently lose things or forget where they are. You are unable to follow simple instructions and are prone to avoid tasks that require concentration, such as chores or homework.

Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can also worsen when hormonal changes occur such as menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopausal. It is difficult to pay attention to work or home and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or meet life goals.

Getting plenty of exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals like dopamine, which can improve your mood and focus. Additionally, regular exercise can help you burn off extra energy and can ease anxiety or depression symptoms that are common among women suffering from ADHD.

3. Anxiety

Women and adolescents who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety and mood issues than impulsivity or hyperactivity. Girls are often reluctant to acknowledge that they have issues due to gender roles. They often cover up ADHD symptoms by concealing other behaviors. This could result in misdiagnosis or under-reporting in girls and women. They may also be more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms, which don't show up as obvious as the impulsive/hyperactive ones that boys and men display.


Anxiety is a natural reaction to danger and stress. It can be debilitating and overwhelming but it's a good thing. It keeps you alert to danger and allows you to react quickly if something is wrong. Unfortunately, anxiety can also cause a variety of physical symptoms including sweating, jitteriness, and an increased heart rate (palpitations). People who experience frequent, severe, or disabling anxiety may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder may include panic disorder (where you have recurring, unplanned panic attacks), fears (where you are incredibly scared of certain objects or events) and obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thought and repetitive behavior) and separation anxiety disorder.

Women with ADHD frequently struggle with "time blindness". They may forget important dates and appointments, show up at an incorrect time or location or be so distracted by their tasks that they fail to notice social interactions. This can make them appear aloof, unfocused or uncaring to other people. Good sleeping habits can ensure that you don't suffer from time blindness. Therefore, try to keep a regular bedtime, and do something relaxing like reading, listening music, or meditating before you go to sleep.

4. Disorganization

Women who suffer from ADHD are often struggling to stay organized. signs of adhd in adults Links to an external site. may have difficulty to keep the track of their schedules, appointments, and belongings. Their home, office, and car may be cluttered, and their handbags may be full of receipts, 17 chapsticks or a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their inattention and lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain relationships at work and in their personal lives.

Women can also have difficulty speaking their thoughts in social situations. They may be impulsive and impatient and can cause them to interrupt others or shout things out before considering the consequences. These struggles with filtering their thoughts can lead to confusion and hurt feelings.

The signs of ADHD in women may vary between days due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are lowest around ovulation, and during menstrual cycle, which can exacerbate ADHD. These symptoms could be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed and treated.

There is a bias against diagnosing females with ADHD in addition to the differences in the biology between men and women in terms of the brain's structure and chemical. This bias is linked to the fact that ADHD research and educational programs primarily focus on boys and men/people AMAB, so it's more likely that healthcare providers and educators will see hyperactive/impulsive-type symptoms in those groups and overlook symptoms of inattentive ADHD in women.

Women with ADHD can manage their symptoms using medication and other treatment methods. They can achieve success in school, work and in their private lives with the right support. Medical treatment can give them a huge boost in concentration and help better handle everyday challenges, while special smartphone apps are additional tools to help them stay on top of their game.

5. Impulsivity

Women with ADHD frequently have issues with impulse control. This is because the part of their brain that makes decisions and thinks about consequences doesn't work as well. This results in a tendency to say or do things without considering the potential consequences, which can have negative effects. For example, impulsive behavior might lead to financial problems or cause damage to relationships. It can cause sexually risky behaviors.

A person with ADHD might develop a range of coping strategies to assist them in overcoming their difficulties with controlling their impulses. Self-medicating using alcohol or drugs, or calming yourself by eating foods are all possible. A poor diet or lack of sleep can also lead to issues.

Girls and women with ADHD may also struggle to acknowledge that they have a problem with their behavior. They might struggle to explain their symptoms to their parents or teachers, so they try to hide their struggles. This can make it difficult for people to spot their problems and may delay a diagnosis.

Additionally women and girls with ADHD tend to present their symptoms differently than boys or men. They might be less attentive and may suffer from depression or anxiety like depression. These factors may be the reason for girls and women with ADHD being misdiagnosed more often than males or females.

While awareness of ADHD has increased however, it's still a condition that affects millions of people. It's particularly prevalent in the adolescent and early adulthood, when a lot of people are trying to meet the demands of their careers or school. Parents and teachers must be aware that their child or granddaughter might be suffering from ADHD to ensure that they receive the assistance she needs.