ADHD Adult Female Symptoms

ADHD can affect men and women, but it's more difficult for women to diagnose. That's because females often don't show the same hyperactivity and impulsivity as men, so they may be missed or incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in managing your symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. The use of stimulant medication is a typical treatment for adults with ADHD however there are also other options.

1. Trouble focusing

Women suffering from ADHD can be distracted by a myriad of things, but they're also having a harder time focusing on conversations and tasks especially when they are suffering from sensory or emotional overload. These problems can become worse during menstrual periods.

Women with inattention ADHD also have problems with their working memory, making it hard to remember simple things like appointments or forthcoming events. They may often forget where they left their car keys or the name of the woman who took them to home from spin class or even important deadlines and dates.

Procrastination and the inability to stick with plans are other signs of ADHD in females who are adults. symptoms of ADHD in adult women are more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media, making it difficult to complete their assignments and projects. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and a lack of performance at school or at work.

Due to the societal perceptions of gender, many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed. This means that they are embarrassed and mislabel their struggles as "bad habits" or "character imperfections." They also frequently feel like they are an imposter. A diagnosis could be a "lightbulb" moment for them, since it gives them an external explanation for their issues and helps them accept themselves more fully.

Girls and women with untreated ADHD can experience a wide range of negative consequences such as academic issues and behavioral issues, bad relationships with family members as well as co-occurring mental health issues. A correct diagnosis and treatment plan will enhance the lives of those who suffer from ADHD at any time in their lives. Treatment options include stimulant medications and therapy. *

2. Difficulty Finishing Projects

Women with ADHD struggle to complete tasks or responsibilities. They may lose important information, have difficulty switching between tasks and responsibilities and find it difficult to meet deadlines. They may also be more susceptible to making careless mistakes or have difficulty organizing and managing their time well and underestimate the time it takes to complete tasks.


The emotional manifestations of ADHD in adults, like mood swings and irritability, can be particularly frustrating for women with the condition. Hormonal changes can trigger symptoms, such as those that are experienced during menopausal cycles, pregnancy, and during menstruation. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may be frustrated and unhappy with their performance at work and in their relationships.

Some women who suffer from ADHD have a hard time with daily routines such as chores and grocery shopping extremely difficult. They might not remember to empty the garbage or shut off the stove, and be easily distracted. They might also struggle with repetitive tasks such as folding laundry or washing dishes. The monotonous or repetitive chores can become overwhelming, resulting in impulsive behaviors such as excessive talking or sharing. The impulsivity associated with ADHD can also lead women to make unruly decisions and depend on unhealthy coping strategies such as alcohol or drugs.

If you are having difficulty completing tasks, have memory issues that cause chronic procrastination or relationship challenges, you should seek a professional evaluation for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve the living quality and set you up for success in both your professional and personal lives. It can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms and create strategies to manage these. To avoid lapses of attention and focus it is recommended to adhere to a regular schedule and use an app for planning or reminders, take notes at meetings, and adhere to good sleep hygiene (avoid screens at least an hour prior to the time you go to bed). Exercise can also help to improve focus by increasing brain neurotransmitter production.

3. Difficulty Remembering Names

It is possible that a difficulty in remembering names could be associated with other ADHD symptoms, like trouble following directions or finishing projects. The root cause of the difficulties is a lack of ability to prioritize and organize tasks, which impacts the efficiency of information retrieval. This symptom tends to worsen during times of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes.

The feeling of forgetting names can be more frustrating when it's accompanied by a feeling of forgetfulness over bigger items like appointments, events or personal reminders. These lapses can also be exacerbated by anxiety or depression which are frequently associated with ADHD in women.

ADHD is often not recognized in women due to gender bias and internalized symptoms. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. They are therefore under-diagnosed and under-referred to doctors to receive treatment and diagnosis.

Additionally, gender-based bias exists due to the fact that ADHD is generally seen as a male condition, with hyperactive boys being the ones who are most recommended to clinics for evaluation and treatment. Combined with internalized stigma and the fact that women's symptoms tend to differ from those of men as well, a lot of professionals fail to recognize or treat ADHD in women.

It's becoming more frequent for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in their adulthood. A diagnosis can improve relationships and prepare you for success at work and school and provide the support you need to excel in your daily life. If you're interested in getting diagnosed, speak to an experienced Salience Health provider. We can evaluate your symptoms with tools like Creyos cognitive testing and Brainview Advanced, and connect you with a therapist who's right for you.

4. Ailoofs with difficulty

Women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit subtle signs of inattention. They may skip appointments, forget to complete chores around the home, or have difficulty taking notes at work. They may also have issues with impulsivity, or struggle to understand social boundaries. This can result in confusion and misinterpretation of relationships with friends and family, and it can cause feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Women with untreated ADHD may also have trouble fulfilling the expectations of society as women. They may struggle with the burden of caring for their children and household chores, and this social pressure can increase their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequateness. Many women suffering from untreated ADHD report low self-esteem and turn to unhealthy coping strategies like binge eating and TV marathons.

The challenges of ADHD in women can be amplified by gender bias, both in the way women and girls are perceived and assessed by clinicians. Some research suggests that girls and women tend to conceal or minimize their ADHD symptoms, and could be less likely to receive treatment and diagnosis than boys and men.

Women suffering from ADHD can also have difficulty in recognizing their symptoms. They may confuse them with mood disorders or anxiety disorders. This can lead to a incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment.

These changes can make women more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms. They can also increase the likelihood to be misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or emotional. These changes can heighten women's anger over their ADHD symptoms, and they could increase the chance of being misunderstood or dismissed as moody or emotional.

5. Impulsivity

The impulsivity of ADHD affects both men and boys differently, women are affected similarly. They also may have difficulty controlling their emotions and could be more prone to "foot-in-mouth" moments. These behavior patterns that are impulsive can have significant impact on relationships and professional life.

Prefrontal cortex is the region of the brain that is responsible for controlling reasoning and decision-making. This area is able to prevent people from making poor decisions since it serves as a safeguard. People who suffer from ADHD have a less functional prefrontal cortex. This makes it difficult to resist the urges or prevent themselves from engaging in reckless or harmful behavior. It can also cause an inability to respect themselves. Women's impulsiveness is often manifested as an inability to maintain social boundaries and self-control in conversations (interrupting others, not finishing their sentences, and talking too often).

Women also have issues with control of impulses when hormones change. Estrogen fluctuates at different times throughout the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, as well as childbirth and menopause. Contraceptives and hormone therapy used during menopausal perimenopausal cycles can affect estrogen levels and other hormones, which could affect the woman's ADHD.

The way ADHD symptoms are expressed in girls and women can vary from those of men and boys and is one of the reasons they are often not diagnosed. Many people with ADHD are not aware of their condition. The good news is that the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can improve the quality of life an individual. If you're not sure whether or not you are suffering from ADHD, talk to your doctor to see if they can help. Treatment options include medication as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.