ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women

Women with undiagnosed ADHD might have difficulties at work or in relationships. It is crucial to recognize the symptoms and seek out treatment that works for you.

Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. Being diagnosed with the right diagnosis can help you improve your life by managing your symptoms and focusing on the things that matter most.

1. Trouble paying attention

Women may be struggling with their inability to pay attention to the smallest details or remember deadlines and appointments or underestimate how long it takes to complete their tasks. They might also have difficulties keeping track of their responsibilities at work or in relationships, get distracted easily and fail to keep their word on their promises. They may also be impulsive, struggle with controlling their emotions, and may blurt out ideas without taking the time to think them through.

The inability to pay attention experienced by ADHD symptoms in women who are older can lead to problems with friendships and relationships that's why it's important to recognize the signs and seek treatment. Women may have difficulty to make new friends, or may have difficulty in their current relationships with constant fights, missed opportunities for fun activities and being neglected. Women can also find it difficult to balance the demands of home, work and childcare.

Many people who have ADHD don't meet the diagnostic criteria, and it could be difficult for health care providers or therapists to identify the disorder. This doesn't mean it's not real, or that a person has to be more focused. Diagnoses are based on symptoms and the way they affect daily functioning in various areas.

Women are more likely to suffer from inattentional symptoms than hyperactive or impulsive ones which is why they're not diagnosed. Many women with ADHD are also embarrassed of their symptoms since they don't fit stereotypes of ADHD. This can make it even more difficult to reach out for assistance or get treatment.

In some cases, women with ADHD are not diagnosed for a long time because they're trying to cope and hide their symptoms. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbidities, such as depression or anxiety which may mask the symptoms of ADHD. They are more likely to have hormonal fluctuations that could cause their symptoms flare up or disappear. This is especially relevant during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopause.

2. Problems with Organization

Inattention, forgetfulness, disorganization, and emotional dysregulation are all common ADHD symptoms for women. These symptoms can cause them to be unable to keep up with everyday tasks, fulfill their obligations, or maintain relationships. They may also experience a low self-esteem and struggle with anxiety. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD might feel they're not meeting society's expectations. They may also struggle with anxiety and low self-esteem.

ADHD in women can manifest as procrastination, hyperfocus, or forgetfulness. These issues can cause women to skip appointments, fail to pay bills on time and feel overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can result in a loss of focus on other crucial tasks, as well as a lack of understanding of time. This can make it difficult to shift from one task to another. Procrastination may also lead to stress, anxiety and a constant feeling of being in a lag.

Another symptom that is often associated with ADHD is trouble communicating verbally and nonverbally. This could include talking too much, interrupting others, or saying inappropriate things. This could include the inability to wait or a difficulty understanding social boundaries. It is important to keep in mind that these behaviors don't necessarily indicate a lack in intelligence or ability.

Many women with ADHD develop strategies to disguise their symptoms. This can have positive and negative effects. Some of these strategies could be healthy, such as using a daily schedule or establishing reminders for events. Some of these coping strategies could be healthy, such as making reminders for events or using alcohol and drugs to disguise symptoms. It is crucial that women who suspect they may have ADHD seek help from a professional.

Women suffering from ADHD can benefit from medication and lifestyle changes, therapy, and a myriad of other treatment options. Some of these include cognitive therapy to deal with negative beliefs and thoughts, mindfulness and relaxation techniques as well as exercise as well as a balanced diet and adequate sleep. A health care provider can also recommend accommodations to help make work or school more manageable.

3. Disruptive Behaviors

Women with ADHD might struggle with emotional dysregulation. In the end, they can become frustrated and discouraged when their problems aren't resolved. This can make it difficult for them to keep relationships with friends, romantic partners as well as coworkers. For example, forgetfulness or impulses can cause the frustration or confusion in relationships with loved ones and can cause feelings of abandonment, loneliness or depression. A tendency to seek thrills on a whim may be taken to mean an absence of interest or indifference.

These are the reasons ADHD symptoms for girls and women are often missed or underdiagnosed. It is possible that they are not able to recognize their problems due to ADHD due to stereotypes and social norms regarding gender and sexuality.

Girls and women with ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms to avoid causing embarrassment. This may result in being referred to less frequently for diagnosis than boys and men with the same symptoms. This discrepancy may also be due to gender bias in the research that determines diagnostic criteria. In a recent study Hartung and Widiger discovered that women and girls are more likely to be under-identified and undiagnosed than men and boys who have similar ADHD symptoms. This could be due to the fact that clinicians are taught to see hyperactive and hyperactive and ADHD symptoms as more common to boys and men, which can make them easier to identify and referred for assessment.

iampsychiatry can manifest themselves as irritability and difficulty in calming down. These are typical ADHD symptoms however they can affect an adult's life. People with ADHD may feel agitated and find it difficult to sit still, particularly if they're anxious or stressed. They tend to fidget and are often overly active. They often interrupt or complete other people's sentences without even realizing they're causing offence.

If you suspect you may have ADHD Your doctor or registered psychologist may refer you to psychiatrists to conduct an assessment. You can also self-refer. This content was reviewed by Madeline Dykes (clinical psychologist) as well as members of the Thriving Madly network in Christchurch in October 2024, and updated in November 2022.

4. Social Skills Problems

Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble communicating effectively or to manage their emotions in the workplace. This can create problems that can hinder personal relationships and professional goals. They may have trouble recognizing and responding appropriately to feedback. This can result in frustration or even disappointment. They might also have difficulty trying to keep a healthy diet and sleep habits, which can increase feelings of anxiety. In some cases, women with ADHD develop unhealthy coping strategies in order to deal with these issues. This includes eating disorders, substance abuse and non-suicidal harming of oneself (NSSI) such as cutting, burning or scratching.

As adults, women with ADHD are more likely to seek treatment than men, as they tend to mask their symptoms. They frequently come up with strategies to cope in order to fit in and meet the expectations of society, which can make their ADHD symptoms harder for others to detect. These coping mechanisms could be as simple and straightforward as setting reminders and creating lists, or they can be more complex, such as learning how to control their emotions or implementing mindful strategies.

However, these coping methods could backfire and make symptoms worse. These coping methods can also make it difficult to get a good night's sleep which is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. Women with ADHD are also prone to feeling overwhelmed by the demands of daily life, which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms.

While it's true that more boys are diagnosed with ADHD than girls, the gap is less as they grow older. This is due to the fact that it's normal for women to experience a range of symptoms throughout their lives, which may result in being diagnosed at different dates.

Changes in hormone levels can impact ADHD symptoms in women. If they have a higher estrogen level during pregnancy, for example, their symptoms may improve. Higher levels of estrogen help regulate brain chemicals that affect attention. If their estrogen levels decrease due to perimenopausal or aging, ADHD symptoms may worsen.


Adults suffering from ADHD can receive an accurate diagnosis, and they can get effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychotherapy, which can assist people with ADHD build the necessary skills to improve their everyday functioning. They can also attend support group meetings for ADHD to share their experience with others who are on the same journey and gain valuable insight from their peers.