ADHD in Women: The Signs That Are Often Missed

For a long time, ADHD was thought of as a condition of hyperactive young boys. As a result, many girls with ADHD were overlooked, and many women only start to question it in their 20s, 30s, 40s or later. Often this happens after a child is diagnosed, or when life becomes too busy to keep compensating.

Why is ADHD missed in women?

There are several reasons:

• Less obvious hyperactivity. Girls and women are more likely to have mainly inattentive symptoms. Daydreaming and disorganisation are less disruptive than running around a classroom, so they get noticed less.
• Masking. Many women work very hard to hide their difficulties. They over-prepare, stay up late to catch up, or copy how others behave. This can work for years, but it is exhausting.
• Other labels first. Women with ADHD are often diagnosed with anxiety or depression first. These can be real and co-existing, but the ADHD underneath may not be recognised.
• Stereotypes. Symptoms can be put down to personality, such as “scatty”, “chatty”, “sensitive” or “a worrier”, rather than seen as a possible condition.

Signs of ADHD that are common in women

Everyone is different, but women with ADHD often describe:

• Mental restlessness. A mind that never switches off, rather than physical hyperactivity.
• Overwhelm. Everyday admin, housework, bills and emails piling up despite real effort.
• Time blindness. Chronic lateness, or being very early because of fear of being late.
• Forgetfulness. Losing keys, missing appointments and forgetting birthdays.
• Emotional intensity. Strong reactions, feeling easily hurt by criticism or rejection.
• Talking a lot or interrupting. This is sometimes seen as social rather than impulsive.
• Hyperfocus. Getting absorbed in interesting tasks for hours and losing track of everything else.
• Burnout. Periods of exhaustion after long stretches of holding everything together.
• Low self-esteem. A lifelong feeling of underachieving or “not trying hard enough”.

Can hormones affect ADHD symptoms?

Many women notice their ADHD-type symptoms change with hormonal shifts. They may worsen before a period, after having a baby, or during perimenopause and menopause. Research in this area is still developing, but it is worth mentioning any patterns you notice to your psychiatrist.

ADHD, anxiety and depression

It is common for ADHD to exist alongside anxiety or depression. Years of struggling without knowing why can take a toll on mood and confidence. A careful assessment looks at the whole picture, so that each condition can be treated properly.

When should you seek an assessment?

Consider an assessment if:

• these difficulties go back to childhood, even if nobody called it ADHD
• they cause problems in several parts of your life, such as work, relationships and home
• you have been treated for anxiety or depression but something still does not add up
• a child or close relative has been diagnosed with ADHD, since ADHD often runs in families

What happens next?

An adult ADHD assessment is a detailed conversation with a specialist about your symptoms now and in childhood, how they affect your life, and other possible explanations. Read our guide on what to expect from an adult ADHD assessment.

If you would like answers, Happy Clinic offers adult ADHD assessments online with a Consultant Psychiatrist, with no GP referral needed.

This article is general information and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. If you are in crisis, call 999, go to A&E, call NHS 111 or call Samaritans free on 116 123.