ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women

Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might have difficulties at workplace or in relationships. It's crucial to recognize the signs of ADHD and find an effective treatment for you.

Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. Having a proper diagnosis can assist you in improving your life by addressing your symptoms and focusing on the things that matter most.

1. Trouble paying attention

Women may have difficulty paying attention to details, recollecting appointments and deadlines, or underestimating how long it takes to complete the task. They may also be unable to keep track of their responsibilities in their relationships or at work and are easily distracted and aren't able to keep commitments. They might also struggle with the urge to be impulsive, difficulty managing their emotions and the tendency to mutter things without thinking them through first.

The difficulty of paying attention that is experienced by ADHD symptoms in women of adulthood can cause problems with relationships and friendships, which is why it's important to recognize the signs and seek treatment. Women may find it difficult to make new friends or have difficulty in their relationships due in part to repeated arguments and missed opportunities for enjoyment, and being ignored. Women may also find it difficult to balance the demands of home, work and childcare.

Many people who suffer from ADHD do not meet the diagnostic criteria, and it may be difficult for health care providers or therapists to detect the disorder. This doesn't mean that it's not real or that the person needs to work harder to stay focused. Diagnoses are based on the symptoms and how they impact the daily activities in a variety of areas.

Women are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms than hyperactive or impulsive ones, which could explain why they go undiagnosed. Additionally many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from a sense shame about their symptoms because they don't fit into the stereotypes of someone with ADHD. This can make it more difficult to reach out for help or access treatment.

Certain women with ADHD are not diagnosed for a prolonged period of time due to the fact that they try to hide their symptoms and cope. They are also more likely to be suffering from other comorbidities, including depression or anxiety that can conceal the symptoms of ADHD. They are also more likely to suffer from hormonal fluctuations that may cause their symptoms to flare or fade away, for instance during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and perimenopause.

2. Problems with Organization

Forgetfulness, disorganization, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation are common ADHD symptoms that women suffer from. These symptoms can make it difficult for them to handle their everyday tasks, keep up with their responsibilities and maintain relationships. They may also have a low self-esteem and experience anxiety. Women with undiagnosed ADHD often feel like they're not achieving societal expectations and have a hard time keeping up with their peers in terms of academic performance as well as job performance and social relationships.

ADHD in women can manifest itself as hyperfocus, procrastination or forgetfulness. These issues can lead women to miss appointments, fail to pay bills on time and feel overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can lead to a loss in focus on other important tasks and a poor understanding of time. This can make it hard to switch from one task to another. Procrastination can also cause stress, anxiety and a constant feeling of being behind.

Another symptom that is often associated with ADHD is trouble with nonverbal and verbal communication. This can include excessive talking, interrupting other people, or saying inappropriate words. It can also indicate an inability to wait for her turn or having difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. It is important to keep in mind that these behaviors don't necessarily indicate a lack in the ability or intelligence.

Many women with ADHD develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms. These strategies can have positive and negative effects. Some of these coping mechanisms could be healthy. For instance, using a daily calendar or making reminders for important dates. Others may be unhealthy like using alcohol and drugs to mask symptoms or not paying attention to them at all. As a result, it is essential for women who suspect ADHD to seek help from a mental health professional.

Women suffering from ADHD can benefit from medication treatment, lifestyle changes, therapy, and a myriad of other treatment options. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, which addresses underlying negative thoughts and beliefs such as mindfulness and relaxation, exercising, a healthy diet, and enough rest. A doctor can also recommend accommodations to help make school or work easier to manage.

3. Disruptive Behaviors

Women with ADHD may struggle with emotional dysregulation. This is why they can become frustrated and discouraged when the challenges of life aren't solved. It can be difficult to maintain relationships, whether it's with romantic partners, coworkers or family members. For instance, forgetfulness and insanity can increase anxiety or confusion in romantic relationships and can cause feelings of loneliness, loss or depression. A tendency to seek out thrills on the spur of the moment could be taken to mean an absence of interest or indifference.

This is why ADHD symptoms are often overlooked or under-diagnosed for girls and women. They may be unable to recognizing that their struggles are caused by the disorder due to stereotypes and social norms that define men's and women's behaviors.


Girls and women with ADHD might conceal their symptoms to avoid embarrassment. This may result in being less often referred for diagnosis than men and boys with the same symptoms. This disparity could be due to gender bias in the research that informs diagnostic criteria. In a recent study, Hartung and Widiger found that women and girls are more likely to be misdiagnosed and not diagnosed than boys and men with the same ADHD symptoms. This could be because clinicians are taught to see hyperactive and aggressive ADHD symptoms as more common to males and females, which can make them easier to identify and referred for assessment.

For adults, ADHD symptoms can manifest as restlessness and difficulty settling. These are typical symptoms of ADHD however, as we age they can have a profound impact on the quality of life and well-being. People who suffer from ADHD can feel restless and are unable to sit still, especially if they're feeling anxious or stressed. They are also prone to fidgeting and tend to be extremely talkative, frequently interrupting or ending sentences of others without thinking they're causing offence.

If you suspect that you suffer from ADHD Your doctor or registered psychologist may refer you to psychiatrists for an assessment. Alternatively, you can self-refer. This content was reviewed by Madeline Dykes (clinical psychologist) and other members of the Thriving Madly network in Christchurch in October 2024, and updated in November 2022.

4. Social Skills

Women suffering from ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions and communicating effectively at work. This can lead to issues in personal relationships as well as with professional goals. They may have difficulty recognizing and responding in a timely manner to feedback. This can result in disappointment or anger. They may also struggle to maintain healthy sleeping and eating habits, which could lead to feelings of anxiety. In some cases, women with ADHD develop unhealthy coping strategies to try to compensate for these issues. Click In this article can include alcohol abuse, eating disorders, or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which includes cutting or burning.

As women grow older, those with ADHD are more likely to seek treatment than men due to the fact that they are more likely to hide their symptoms. In order to make themselves acceptable to society and to meet expectations, they usually create coping mechanisms. This can make it harder for others to recognize their ADHD symptoms. These coping mechanisms can be as simple as setting reminders and creating lists, or they may be more complex, such as finding ways to control their emotions or developing mindful techniques.

However, these strategies could backfire and make symptoms worse. They can also make it difficult to get an adequate amount of sleep, which is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. Women suffering from ADHD are also prone to feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their daily life, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.

It's true that boys are diagnosed more often with ADHD than girls. However the gap is narrowing as they get older. This is because it's common for women to experience a variety of symptoms throughout their lives, which can result in a diagnosis at different times.

Changes in hormone levels can affect ADHD symptoms in women. If they have higher levels of estrogen during pregnancy, for example the symptoms could improve. This is because higher levels of estrogen can aid in the regulation of brain chemicals that affect attention. If their estrogen levels decline due to perimenopausal changes or age, ADHD symptoms may worsen.

It is possible for adults suffering from ADHD to get a correct diagnosis and access effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychotherapy that can help people with ADHD build the necessary skills to improve their daily functioning. In addition, they may also join support groups for ADHD to discuss their experiences with other individuals with similar experiences and gain valuable insights from their colleagues.