ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women

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

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

1. Difficulty paying attention

Women might have trouble paying attention to the details, remembering deadlines and appointments or underestimating the amount of time it takes to complete the task. They may also struggle to keep track of their obligations in relationships or work and are easily distracted and fail to keep their commitments. They may also have a tendency to be impulsive, have trouble controlling their emotions, and blurt out things before considering them.

It is crucial to recognize and treat symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults. The inability to concentrate can lead to difficulties with friendships and relationships. Women may find it difficult to make new friends, or they may struggle in their relationships, with frequent fights and missing opportunities to have fun and being left out. They can also have a harder time managing the demands of home, work and childcare.

Many people with ADHD do not meet the diagnostic criteria, and it may be hard for health professionals or therapists to identify the disorder. However, that doesn't mean it's not true or that the person needs to work harder to remain on track. Rather, a diagnosis is based on how the symptoms affect the daily activities in a variety of areas of life.

Women are more likely to experience inattentional symptoms than those who are hyperactive or impulsive which is why they're not diagnosed. Many women suffering from ADHD also feel ashamed of their symptoms because they don't fit stereotypes of ADHD. This can make it more difficult for women with ADHD to seek help or receive treatment.

In a few cases, women with ADHD go undiagnosed for a long time because they are trying to cope and conceal their symptoms. They are more likely to have comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression which may mask the symptoms of ADHD. They are more likely to have hormonal fluctuations that can cause their symptoms to flare up or disappear. This is particularly true during menstruation, pregnancy, and perimenopause.

2. Organizational Problems

Disorganization, forgetfulness, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation are common ADHD symptoms that women suffer from. These symptoms can make them incapable of completing daily tasks, meet their obligations or maintain relationships. They might also suffer from low self-esteem and suffer from anxiety. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD often feel as if they are failing to meet social expectations and have a difficult to keep up with their peers in terms of academic success or job performance. They also have a harder time maintaining social relationships.


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

Another symptom that is often associated with ADHD is trouble with verbal and nonverbal communication. This could mean excessive talk and interrupting other people or using inappropriate words. This can include a lack of ability to wait or a difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. It is important to keep in mind that these behavior patterns are not necessarily indicative of an absence of intelligence or ability.

Many women suffering from ADHD develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. ADHD in adults symptoms quiz can have positive and negative impacts. Some of these strategies for coping might be healthy. For example, using a daily calendar or making reminders for important dates. Others could be harmful like drinking alcohol or using drugs to hide symptoms or completely ignoring them. It is therefore important that women who suspect they be suffering from ADHD seek professional help.

Women with ADHD may benefit from medication, lifestyle modifications or therapy, as well as other treatment options. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, which addresses negative beliefs and thoughts as well as mindfulness and relaxation exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate rest. A doctor may also recommend adjustments to help make school or work easier to manage.

3. Disruptive Behaviors

Women who suffer from ADHD may struggle with emotional dysregulation. They become frustrated and discouraged when life's difficulties aren't easily overcome. It can be challenging to keep relationships going, whether with romantic partners, co-workers or family members. For example the tendency to forget or be impulsive can increase frustration or confusion in relationships with loved ones and lead to feelings such as loneliness or depression. A tendency to seek out thrills on the spur of the moment could be misinterpreted by others as an absence of interest or indifference.

This is one of the reasons ADHD symptoms in women and girls are often overlooked or not diagnosed. It is possible that they are unable to recognize their problems due to ADHD because of stereotypes and social norms about gender and sexuality.

Girls and women with ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms to avoid causing embarrassment. This may result in them being referred for diagnosis less frequently than men and boys who have the same symptoms. Additionally, gender bias in the research that informs diagnostic criteria could contribute to this asymmetry. In a recent study, Hartung and Widiger found that girls and women are more likely to be misdiagnosed and not diagnosed than men and boys who have the same ADHD symptoms. This could be due to the fact that doctors are conditioned to see hyperactive and impulsive ADHD symptoms as more common among boys and men which makes them easier to identify and referred to assessment.

Adults, ADHD symptoms can manifest as restlessness and difficulty settling. These are common symptoms of ADHD however, as we age, they can have a significant impact on a person's life and wellbeing. People with ADHD may feel agitated and have difficulty sitting still, particularly if they're anxious or stressed. They are also susceptible to fluttering around and can be very talkative, often interrupting or finishing sentences of other people without even thinking that 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. 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. It was updated in November 2022.

4. Problems with Social Skills

Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty managing their emotions and communicating effectively at work. This can cause problems that affect relationships between people and professional goals. For instance, they could be unable to recognize and respond to feedback, which could result in frustration and displeasure. They may also struggle to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits, which can increase anxiety. In some cases women with ADHD develop unhealthy coping mechanisms to cope with these issues. These include substance abuse, eating disorder and non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which includes cutting, burning, or scratching.

Women who suffer from ADHD might be more hesitant to get treatment as adults than men because they are more likely to hide their symptoms. In an effort to fit in with society and to meet the expectations of society, they often develop coping strategies. This makes it difficult for others recognize their ADHD symptoms. These coping strategies may be as simple as setting reminders and making lists, or they can be more complicated, like being able to manage their emotions or implementing mindful strategies.

These coping strategies can but backfire and worsen symptoms. They can also hinder good sleep, which is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. Women suffering from ADHD may also feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life, which can cause ADHD symptoms.

It's true that boys are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD than girls. However the gap is narrowing as they age. This is due to the fact that women frequently have a range of symptoms over the course of their lives. This can lead to different diagnoses.

Changes in hormone levels could also impact ADHD symptoms in women. For example in the event that they have a high estrogen level during pregnancy, symptoms may improve. This is because higher levels of estrogen can aid in regulating brain chemicals that influence attention. If their estrogen levels decrease due to perimenopause or age, ADHD symptoms may worsen.

It is possible for adults suffering from ADHD to get a correct diagnosis and receive effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychotherapy, which will aid people suffering from ADHD build essential skills to improve their daily functioning. They can also attend support group meetings for ADHD in order to share their experience with others on the same journey and gain valuable insight from their peers.