Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women

While males and females are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD, women and girls may also be affected. However, lingering stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it harder for them to be properly assessed and treated.

Many women devise coping strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but these strategies can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are a few of the most commonly reported symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults.

1. Unfocused attention

Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by their daily tasks. It can be difficult to keep track of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They are also more likely to forget important events or appointments. They might also have trouble staying focused in noisy or crowded environments. This can lead to missed opportunities and a lower level of productivity.

These issues can cause frustration for many people with ADHD. They may feel that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. They can often have a low self-esteem and a negative image of themselves. They may also struggle to maintain relationships and develop effective strategies for coping. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. This could make others less likely to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.

Adults suffering from ADHD are often sensitive to criticism or failure. This can cause them to internalize their problems and make it difficult for them to seek help. They might also be afflicted by issues with relationships and may struggle to find a meaningful job. They may also be more prone to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In some cases the symptoms can cause a mental disorder, such as non-suicidal self-harm (NSSI) which could be expressed through cutting or burning.


While it's more prevalent in boys and men to be diagnosed with ADHD The symptoms can last into adulthood and can impact multiple areas of life. It's essential for women to be aware of the symptoms and seek an examination from a medical professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better management of symptoms and a higher quality of life.

2. Disorganization

Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed as if they are in chaos. They might miss deadlines at work or have trouble keeping track of the tasks at home or at work like paying bills and making appointments. adult male ADHD symptoms and home may be messy, and they may struggle to keep good relationships and a stable job.

Inattention ADHD symptoms can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships between partners, friends and coworkers. These problems can lead to broken or strained connections and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness and a tendency to "zone out" during conversations can contribute to misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.

Women with ADHD are more likely to experience signs of emotional instability, impulsivity and mood swings. These can cause disruption both in their personal and professional lives. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed by the demands of family, work and the social world. They may also be sensitive to harsh judgment and criticism.

There are methods to manage these symptoms. Treatment options for adults include lifestyle modifications and the use of specialized organization tools, and prescription stimulant drugs.

Women with ADHD may be able to hide their ADHD symptoms better than men, which can lead to being undiagnosed until later in life. They are also more likely to have co-occurring disorders, like anxiety and depression that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships and a steady job and are susceptible to low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's genetic makeup, chromosomes, hormones and anatomy; gender refers to the internal feeling of self as a woman, man, nonbinary, or other gender identity and mental health issues are usually diagnosed based on both.

3. Anxiety

Women with ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression. These feelings can be exacerbated when you're unable keep on top of your daily activities and appointments. This can lead to health issues like missed appointments, late payments and even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness of ADHD can also create issues with relationships with coworkers, partners and even friends.

Many women come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms. This can make it difficult for others to notice that they have difficulty staying organized and focused. These coping strategies may be healthy, like creating an annual schedule or setting phone reminders, or they could be harmful, such as relying on alcohol or drugs to help them perform or manage their challenges. These strategies can cause women to feel anxious and unsure, leading them to doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to feelings of anxiety or depression.

Women with ADHD might also feel like they don't belong or aren't meeting social expectations. This can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also encounter challenges at work, including difficulties with organizational skills adhering to company policies or sticking to a regular 9-to-5 schedule. They may struggle to manage their finances due to a lack of organization or impulsive spending. They may also have trouble keeping up with assignments or homework.

ADHD can be a lifetime condition that requires ongoing assistance, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence this disorder is undiagnosed and misunderstood. It is also not treated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are the result of stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptomatology and comorbidities as well as hormonal fluctuation.

4. Impulsivity

Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions or impulses. They could be easily frustrated or excessively excited, and they might lose track of time or be late for an event. They may also have difficulties reading body language and recognizing social signals. This could cause issues at work or in relationships. For example, they might be easily entangled in arguments or they may spend too much time in pursuit of hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They might also have difficulty maintaining relationships or creating new connections due to the fact that they struggle to follow through on promises and commitments.

Women tend to be better at building coping mechanisms that can help them to manage their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to be diagnosed than men. They might, for example, develop routines that aid in staying organized or utilize apps to remind themselves of their appointments. They may also alter their behavior to fit in with norms and expectations set by society. They could even conceal their symptoms using alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems, which can cause serious health problems in the long term.

Certain people with ADHD are not able to overcome the symptoms. About 60 percent of women with ADHD during childhood continue to be affected into adulthood, compared to 30% of men.

Professional treatment can be beneficial for those who can not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are a myriad of options available, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling, along with medications like stimulants. Exercise can also be an excellent way to boost your mood and boost your levels of energy. It releases neurotransmitters that increase attention and motivation and can help ease anxiety and stress.

5. Reactivity to emotions

Women and girls with ADHD often have trouble with emotional hyperactivity. They may have trouble regulating their emotions and communicating them in a proper manner. This can lead to frustration for both themselves and others. For example, a woman with ADHD might become enraged when her partner critiques her, but she might not be able to settle down and talk about the problem in a more rational way. It is also possible that she struggles to "pause" her reaction by recognizing bodily signals that indicate she's getting overexcited or overwhelmed like a flushed skin or shortness of breath.

This inability to regulate emotions can lead to frustration and misunderstandings, and can make people with ADHD more prone to depression or anxiety. It can also cause issues when it comes to social interactions, because it is difficult to discern the mood of others and detect social cues.

In some cases, ADHD people may appear disconnected and uninterested in their loved ones or friends, even though they care about them. In other cases they may avoid situations that trigger them to avoid feeling a strong emotion.

Gender bias is common among clinicians and the impact of ADHD on women can be easily overlooked because of the nature of their symptoms. Many people disguise their ADHD symptoms, and when they do manifest, they're more likely to be seen as anxiety- or mood-related, and therefore misdiagnosed. It can be helpful to speak with an expert in mental health who has experience working with women and young girls with ADHD if you are experiencing these symptoms. They can confirm your experience, teach you strategies such as self-awareness and pacing, and provide you with family psychoeducation to help you recognize and respond to the upcoming ADHD symptoms.