ADHD in Women: How Symptoms May Look Different
Key takeaways:
ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) may look and feel different depending on your sex. For example, women with ADHD are more likely to experience inattention rather than hyperactivity.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood rather than childhood. This is partly because ADHD is often missed in young girls. And ADHD may be more likely to show up later in life for women.
Women with ADHD are also more likely to have other psychiatric conditions (like depression), lower self-esteem, and trouble maintaining positive relationships.
Table of contents
Often, when people think of ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), they picture a hyperactive young boy who has trouble sitting still in class. But there are actually different types of ADHD: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined type. Predominantly inattentive used to be called attention-deficit disorder (ADD).
In childhood, boys are almost twice as likely as girls to be diagnosed with ADHD. But more women and girls likely have ADHD than reports show. ADHD looks different in women and girls, so many cases of ADHD go undiagnosed. In fact, women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults.
Here, we’ll explain how ADHD symptoms in women and girls are different and what you can do if you think you might have it.
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What are the typical symptoms of ADHD in women?
The typical symptoms of ADHD include difficulty focusing (inattention) and/or hyperactivity.
Starting in childhood, girls with ADHD tend to show more symptoms of inattention. And they’re less likely than boys to be hyperactive or disruptive in classroom environments.
The CDC and the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) list specific criteria for the diagnosis of ADHD.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, five or more of the following symptoms must be frequently present for at least 6 months:
You don’t pay close attention to details, or you make careless mistakes at school or work.
You struggle to stay focused on tasks or activities.
You don’t seem to listen when someone speaks to you directly.
You don’t follow through on instructions or finish tasks at school or work. You may lose focus or get sidetracked.
You struggle to organize tasks and activities.
You avoid or dislike tasks that need mental concentration over a long stretch of time.
You lose things that you need to complete tasks and activities, like school materials and tools.
You get easily distracted.
You are forgetful when it comes to your daily activities.
Is ADHD different in women vs. men?
More boys than girls are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood. But more women than men are diagnosed with ADHD as adults. Experts don’t know exactly why this occurs — but there are several possible explanations.
What ADHD feels like for adults: Three adults share their experience with ADHD.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults: Many people don’t get an ADHD diagnosis until later in life. Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults.
Is it ADHD or something else? ADHD, anxiety, and depression can share some symptoms, including trouble concentrating.
As with most conditions, genetics plays a role in the development of ADHD. There’s a theory that females may need more genetic abnormalities and environmental exposures to actually develop ADHD than males do. This is called the “female protective effect.”
ADHD may also be missed in girls because:
Parents and caretakers of girls with potential ADHD may not recognize the symptoms as easily.
Young girls are more likely to use coping mechanisms at a young age, which may mask their symptoms.
Young girls are more likely to have other psychiatric conditions, like anxiety and depression. If they’re diagnosed with another condition, it might be harder to recognize when they also have ADHD.
ADHD in women may also develop later in life:
Research suggests that adult-onset ADHD is more likely to occur in women.
Women are more likely to have the inattentive type of ADHD (as opposed to the impulsive-hyperactive type). Inattentiveness is harder to detect and may be more likely to last into adulthood.
Hormones exacerbate symptoms in women, especially during puberty and pregnancy.
Signs of ADHD in women vs. men
Regardless of age, there are several ways ADHD symptoms in women look different. The following features are more commonly seen in women with ADHD than in men:
More inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactive symptoms
Higher rates of eating disorders, anxiety, and depression
Higher risk of being in an abusive and violent relationship
Rapid mood changes
Fewer behavioral issues, especially in school
Decreased self-esteem
Decreased academic achievement
Antisocial behavior and difficulty maintaining friendships
Self-harming behavior (like cutting)
Suicidal behavior
Symptoms that persist into adulthood
Increased sexual activity
Dr. Katherine Krive, DO, is a psychiatrist with experience in child psychology and a contributor to GoodRx. In an interview with GoodRx, Dr. Krive stated, “Sometimes the main symptom of hyperactivity in girls and women is excessive talkativeness. It shows how busy their mind is, even though their body does not necessarily feel the need to move constantly.”
How is ADHD diagnosed in women?
The specific criteria to diagnose ADHD (listed above) are the same for males and females. Many different healthcare professionals can diagnose ADHD, including:
Your primary care provider
A neurologist
A psychiatrist
A psychologist
During an evaluation, you’ll be asked questions about your symptoms and how they affect your life. A healthcare professional may also do a physical exam, psychological testing, or neurological testing.
Some researchers think there should be a less restrictive criteria for diagnosing ADHD in girls and women. Some experts have proposed “corrected” criteria to diagnose more females with ADHD who are currently being overlooked because of their less obvious symptoms.
For example, parents and teachers may be the first to notice girls who appear “spaced out,” which can be one of the first signs of inattention in ADHD. Other subtle signs may include trouble making friends in school or getting easily distracted (without necessarily being hyperactive).
Dr. Krive explained, “A girl’s struggle with ADHD can sometimes be overlooked in school because she doesn’t have behavior issues. Instead, she internalizes her problems with keeping up and starts to feel anxious or not good enough.”
What to do if you think you might have ADHD
Sometimes it’s hard to know if someone has ADHD or if their brain just works a bit differently. Although there are many tools online that claim to be able to help you diagnose ADHD, it’s best to talk with a medical professional.
“By the time some women get a diagnosis of ADHD, they have lived for many years with the other mental health issues that can result from years of not being treated,” explained Dr. Krive. “They can really start to feel better once they find medication that works for them. Therapy is usually very helpful as well. It can help with managing emotions and daily life with attention difficulties,” she added.
Your primary care provider can help you get started and refer you to a specialist who’s trained in ADHD diagnosis. Or, if you already see a mental health professional, they can also help. This way, you can be sure you get the correct diagnosis — and the right treatment and support to follow.
Frequently asked questions
ADHD isn’t necessarily “worse” in women. But some research shows that women are more likely than men to first experience ADHD symptoms as adults. More research is needed to better understand how ADHD affects men and women differently.
Sometimes, ADHD gets mistaken for other conditions. Generalized anxiety disorder and major depression can have similar symptoms to ADHD. Plus, some people have ADHD as well as depression or an anxiety disorder.
Untreated ADHD doesn’t get worse with age, but symptoms can change over time. ADHD can affect many aspects of your life, including your ability to concentrate, stay organized, and complete daily tasks. And there are lots of treatments that can help, including medications for ADHD, alternative therapies, and coping skills.
The bottom line
ADHD is likely more common in women and girls than people realize. But because the symptoms can be more subtle, ADHD is missed in a lot of girls. It’s also more likely to persist into adulthood in women.
If you think you may have undiagnosed ADHD, talk to a healthcare professional about your insights — especially if your symptoms feel like they’re getting in the way of your daily life. Support and treatment can be life-changing.
Why trust our experts?
References
Agnew-Blais, J. C., et al. (2016). Evaluation of the persistence, remission, and emergence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in young adulthood. Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry.
Antoniou, E., et al. (2021). ADHD symptoms in females of childhood, adolescent, reproductive and menopause period. Materia Socio Medica.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Data and statistics on ADHD.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Diagnosing ADHD.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. (n.d.). Symptoms of ADHD in women and girls.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. (n.d.). Women and girls.
Hinshaw, S. P. (2018). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Controversy, developmental mechanisms, and multiple levels of analysis. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: What you need to know.
Quinn, P. O., et al. (2014). A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: Uncovering this hidden diagnosis. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders.
Rucklidge, J. J., et al. (2001). Psychiatric, psychosocial, and cognitive functioning of female adolescents with ADHD. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Young, S., et al. (2020). Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women. BioMed Central Psychiatry.
