ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women

Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may have issues at workplace or in relationships. additional hints is important to recognize the signs and find a treatment that works for you.

Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. A proper diagnosis can help improve your life by managing your symptoms and focusing your attention on what is important.

1. It is difficult to pay attention

Women may be struggling with their inability to pay attention to details or remember deadlines and appointments or underestimate how long it takes to complete their tasks. They may also be unable to keep track of their responsibilities in relationships or work They can easily get distracted and aren't able to keep promises. They might also have a tendency to be impulsive, have difficulty controlling their emotions, and blurt out thoughts without thinking them through.

The difficulty in paying attention to the needs of ADHD symptoms in adult women can cause problems with friendships and relationships that's why it's important to recognize the symptoms and seek treatment. Women may find it difficult to make new acquaintances, or they may have difficulty in their relationships, with frequent fights, missing opportunities to have fun and being ignored. Women also may struggle to manage the demands of home, work and childcare.

Many people who suffer from ADHD do not meet the diagnostic criteria, and it may be hard for health professionals or therapists to detect the condition. It doesn't mean that it's not real or that the person has to be more focused. Rather, a diagnosis is based on how the symptoms impact the daily activities in a variety of areas of life.

It's more common for females to experience inattention and not hyperactive or impulsive symptoms - which could explain why this population often goes undiagnosed. Additionally many women suffering from ADHD are afflicted with a sense of being embarrassed about their issues because they don't conform to the stereotypes of someone with ADHD. This makes it harder for those who suffer from ADHD to seek help or receive treatment.

Women who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed for a lengthy period of time because they are unable to hide their symptoms and cope. They are also more likely to have other comorbidities, including anxiety or depression that can mask the symptoms of ADHD. They are also more likely to have hormonal fluctuations that could cause their symptoms to flare up or disappear, like during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal.

2. Organizational Issues

Women who suffer from ADHD frequently experience a lack of memory and disorganization, as well as emotional dysregulation. These symptoms can cause them to be difficult to manage everyday tasks, fulfill their obligations or maintain relationships. They may also have a low self-esteem and suffer from anxiety. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD might feel like they're not meeting society's expectations. They may also experience anxiety and low self-esteem.

ADHD in women can manifest as procrastination, hyperfocus, or forgetfulness. These problems can lead to women missing appointments, not paying bills on time, and feeling overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can lead to a lack of attention to other things that are important and a poor sense of time, which can make it difficult to switch from one activity to another. Procrastination can also lead to a buildup of anxiety, stress and the constant feeling of being lagging behind.

Another symptom that is often associated with ADHD is trouble communicating verbally and nonverbally. This can include talking excessively, interrupting others or saying inappropriate words. This could include an inability for her to be patient or having difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. It is important to note that these behaviors don't necessarily suggest a lack of ability or intelligence.

Many women suffering from ADHD develop strategies to mask their symptoms. These strategies can have both positive and negative consequences. Some of these coping strategies could be healthy. For instance using a calendar for the day or creating reminders for important events. Others may be unhealthy for example, using alcohol or drugs to mask symptoms or ignoring them altogether. Therefore, it is essential that women who suspect they may have ADHD seek out professional help.

Women with ADHD might benefit from medications, lifestyle changes or therapy as well as other treatments. They can avail cognitive behavioral therapy, which addresses underlying negative thoughts and beliefs, mindfulness and relaxation, exercising, a healthy diet, and enough rest. A doctor can also recommend accommodations that will make school or work easier to manage.

3. Disruptive Behaviors

Women suffering from ADHD may struggle with emotional dysregulation. In the end, they often become frustrated and discouraged when their problems aren't solved. This can make it difficult for them to keep relationships with loved ones, friends and colleagues. For instance, forgetfulness and impulses can cause anxiety or confusion in romantic relationships and cause feelings of loneliness, abandonment, or depression. A tendency to look for thrills on the spur of the moment could be taken to mean a lack of interest or apathy.

These are the reasons why ADHD symptoms for girls and women are often not recognized or diagnosed. It is possible that they are not able to recognize their struggles in relation to ADHD due to stereotypes and social norms about men and women's behavior.

Girls and women with ADHD may camouflage symptoms to avoid embarrassment. This can result in being referred to a specialist less often than boys and men who suffer from the same symptoms. This could be due to gender bias in the research that determines diagnostic criteria. In a recent study Hartung and Widiger discovered that girls and women are more likely to be misdiagnosed and undiagnosed than boys and men with the same ADHD symptoms. This could be due to the fact that clinicians are trained to view hyperactive and hyperactive and impulsive ADHD as more prevalent in boys and men. This can make them easier to recognize and to refer to an assessment.


Adult ADHD symptoms can manifest as restlessness and difficulty calming down. These are typical ADHD symptoms however they can be a significant influence on the life of an adult. People suffering from ADHD might feel anxious or find it hard to sit still. This is especially when they're feeling anxious or stressed. They also tend to fidgeting and tend to be overly talkative, often interrupting or finishing sentences of others without thinking they're causing offence.

If you suspect that you suffer from ADHD, your GP or a registered psychologist can refer you to a psychiatrist for an assessment. Alternatively, you can self-refer. This content was reviewed in the month of October 2024 and revised in November 2022 by Madeline Dykes, clinical psychologist and a member of the Thriving Madly peer support network in Christchurch.

4. Social Skills

Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble communicating effectively or to manage their emotions in the workplace. This can lead to issues that can hinder personal relationships and professional goals. They may have difficulty recognizing and responding appropriately to feedback. This could lead to frustration or disappointment. Additionally, they might have trouble maintaining healthy eating and sleep habits, which could cause anxiety. In some cases, women suffering from ADHD develop unhealthy coping mechanisms to try to compensate for these problems. These include eating disorders, substance abuse and non-suicidal harming of oneself (NSSI) which includes cutting, burning or scratching.

As adults, women who suffer from ADHD can find it harder to seek treatment than men, as they are more likely to hide their symptoms. To fit in with society and conform to expectations, they usually create coping mechanisms. This makes it difficult for others recognize their ADHD symptoms. These coping mechanisms may be as simple as setting reminders and making lists, or they can be more complex such as learning how to control their emotions or implementing mindful techniques.

However, these coping methods could backfire and make symptoms worse. They can also make it difficult to achieve adequate sleep, which is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. Women suffering from ADHD are also prone to feeling overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life, which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms.

It's true that boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. However the gap is narrowing as they grow older. It's because it's common for women to experience a range of symptoms throughout their lives, and this can result in a diagnosis at different instances.

Changes in hormone levels can also affect ADHD symptoms in women. For example when they have an elevated estrogen level during pregnancy, their symptoms could improve. This is because estrogen levels that are higher help regulate the brain chemicals that affect attention. If their estrogen levels drop due to perimenopausal changes or age, ADHD symptoms may worsen.

Adults suffering from ADHD can get a correct diagnosis and receive effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychotherapy, which can aid people suffering from ADHD build the necessary skills to improve their everyday functioning. They are also able to attend meetings of support groups for ADHD to share their experiences with others who are on the same journey and gain valuable information from their peers.