How ADHD Looks Different In Girls And Women

If you’ve never experienced ADHD or been close to someone who has, it’s easy to brush it off as “kids being kids” or simple restlessness. 

However, ADHD is much more complex. 

It’s a chronic and even debilitating condition that can significantly disrupt your daily life, impacting everything from academic performance and professional success to personal relationships. 

And interestingly, ADHD in girls and women is quite different from the ADHD symptoms in boys and men, making it harder to recognize and address in females. 

Let’s explore how ADHD presents in girls and women, key signs to watch for, and smart strategies for managing symptoms effectively. 

What Is ADHD?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common developmental disorders in children and teens. 

There are 3 main characteristics that define ADHD. 

• Inattention, the inability to focus or concentrate
• Hyperactivity, excessive and unnecessary movement 
• Impulsivity, acting without forethought 

For each of these characteristics, there are a number of underlying symptoms. 

For example, hyperactivity is more than excess movement. It can include symptoms such as interrupting people when they’re talking, the inability to wait patiently, talking too much, tapping your hands and feet, and more. 

ADHD By the Numbers

How common is ADHD? 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), roughly 11.4% of children in the U.S. between the ages of 3 to 17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD. 

That amounts to an eye-opening 7 million children with ADHD, a number that has risen by 1 million since 2016. So not only is it common, but the numbers show an alarming rise in ADHD diagnoses in recent years.

And the numbers don’t stop at childhood—roughly 8 million adult Americans are affected with ADHD. And that number is grossly underreported; studies suggest that only 20% of adults with ADHD are aware that they have it. 

How Is ADHD Diagnosed?

One of the main reasons why ADHD is so often unrecognized is that there isn’t an easy, single test to diagnose it. And, many other disorders, including anxiety and sleep disorders, have similar symptoms. 

To properly diagnose ADHD, a primary care provider or mental health professional will look at behavioral patterns. With children, they may also talk to their teachers, parents, or other adult caretakers. 

ADHD may be the diagnosis if these conditions are met. 

• Symptoms persist for 6 months or longer. 
• Symptoms are present in different settings. For example, a child isn’t inattentive solely during math class.
• Other possible causes, such as anxiety or a mood disorder, have been eliminated. 
• For children aged 16 and under, 6 or more symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity must be present. 
• For anyone age 17 or older, 5 or more symptoms must be present.
• These symptoms interfere with school, work, or social life.

And yet, despite this gender-neutral approach to diagnosis, ADHD in girls and women is often dismissed or misdiagnosed (as hormones, for example). 

Let’s look at why that happens.

Diagnosing ADHD in Girls and Women

Why is it so challenging to diagnose ADHD in girls and women? 

Let’s look at the factors that affect a timely, accurate ADHD diagnosis for females. 

Gender Bias

There’s a definite gender bias in medical research. 

Despite a mandate calling for the inclusion of women in clinical research and trials, not nearly enough progress has been made. 

And, many of what we consider to be the “classic” characteristics of disorders such as ADHD were defined before this mandate went into effect. Far from being inclusive, they’re based on studies that excluded or underrepresented girls and women. 

Symptoms Based on Male Behavior

Think of two young schoolchildren. 

• A little boy is running around in circles, almost impossible to usher to storytime. When he finally sits down, he’s fidgeting and restless, distracting others with his constant movement. 
• A little girl sits quietly during storytime, looking out the window and daydreaming instead of paying attention. After storytime, she excitedly goes to her friends, chattering a mile a minute and often talking over them.

To a casual observer, the boy’s hyperactivity is evident. But the girl’s distraction is easily overlooked, and her talkativeness is easily attributed to “girls talk more.” 

Yet they both have ADHD; the boy’s obvious display of what we think of as hallmark symptoms is simply more evident. 

Since many of the studies were based on the behaviors of boys and men, what many people think of as ADHD is based on male symptoms. And in men and boys, ADHD mostly manifests as hyperactivity. 

For girls and women, however, ADHD is more likely to display the characteristics of inattention. And because it’s not always as obvious, it’s more likely to be undiagnosed. 

Comorbidities Are More Often Diagnosed

Some of the most common signs of ADHD in girls and women can often be associated with other disorders. 

And, given that hyperactivity—once considered to be the most common symptom—isn’t seen as often, physicians and other healthcare experts are less likely to settle on an ADHD diagnosis. 

Instead, ADHD is often diagnosed as anxiety, depression, poor sleep, and other conditions. Hormones, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause, are often blamed for many of the signs of ADHD.

Signs of ADHD in Girls and Women

So, what are the signs that a girl or woman might have ADHD? 

As we mentioned earlier, there are 3 main characteristics associated with ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. 

Let’s look at the ADHD symptoms in girls and women for each of these. 

Inattention

• Difficulty staying focused
• Disorganized
• Forgetful
• Procrastinates
• Changes topics mid-conversation
• Difficulty keeping track of schedules
• Being late to appointments, or forgetting them altogether
• Frequently misplacing or losing items
• Poor time management skills

Hyperactivity

• Restlessness (either physical or internal)
• Always moving
• Fidgeting
• Difficulty relaxing
• Excessive talking 

Impulse Control

• Interrupting others when they’re talking
• Making decisions without thinking them through
• Engaging in risky behaviors

Other Signs of ADHD in Girls and Women

• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Hypersensitivity to criticism
• Difficulty handling stress
• Anxiety
• Easily frustrated

Managing ADHD

If you’re reading the list above and nodding your head, feeling recognized, you may be wondering whether your symptoms are a sign of ADHD. 

If so, don’t despair. 

By taking the right steps, you can get the help you need to live a happy, productive life despite ADHD. 

Talk to Your Doctor

First things first—get a proper diagnosis. 

Make an appointment with your doctor or a mental health specialist. They will ask questions, assess your symptoms, and eliminate other possible conditions as part of their evaluation. 

Once they’ve determined that you have ADHD, you can make plans that will help you manage your symptoms for a better chance at success with your school, professional, and social lives.

Seek Therapy

Therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can also help you live your best life despite ADHD. 

A therapist can give you the tools you need to overcome some of your symptoms. You can develop techniques that will help you focus, manage your time, handle stress, and more.  

CBT is especially valuable for learning how to overcome everyday challenges associated with ADHD, helping you organize your daily activities, and establishing routines.  

Take Medications

Depending on your symptoms and their severity, your doctor may prescribe medication to help with ADHD symptoms. 

Stimulants, non-stimulants, and even antidepressants are often prescribed to treat ADHD. Your doctor will keep your symptoms in mind as they determine the right medication and dosage for your specific case. 

Find Support

In-person or online, a support group can help you feel seen and heard as you learn to cope with ADHD symptoms. 

Listening to others share their experiences will remind you that you aren’t struggling alone. And learning from their real-world strategies can help you devise the techniques that will help you overcome your greatest ADHD challenges.  

Plan and Prepare

Untreated ADHD in females can cause quite a few daily challenges, especially when it comes to daily organization and completing tasks. 

Plan for your days ahead of time and equip yourself for success with strategies such as: 

• Breaking down complex tasks into small, simple steps
• Using a checklist to mark what you’ve completed
• Using a daily planner, especially one with daily time slots  
• Creating a routine to give your day consistent structure
• Setting alarms or reminders on your phone

Balance Your Gut Microbiome

Recent studies have shown that there is a close link between gut bacteria and ADHD. 

• Research shows that as early as age 1, there are significant differences in the gut microbiomes of children who go on to develop ADHD and those who don’t. 
• Children who are given antibiotics (which disrupt gut bacteria) during their first year are more likely to develop ADHD.

A spore-based probiotic supplement can support the colonies of beneficial bacteria living in your gut, helping them grow and flourish while at the same time crowding out the colonies of pathogenic bacteria. 

Final Thoughts

ADHD is becoming increasingly common in all demographics, including the female population. 

But ADHD signs in girls and women can vary greatly from the once-traditional symptoms, making it more difficult to diagnose. 

If, after reading the symptoms above, you suspect that you may have ADHD, reach out to your physician or health care provider. Once you’ve received the proper diagnosis, you can work with them to design a treatment plan and lifestyle that works for you. 

Most importantly, remember—ADHD is just a diagnosis. 

By actively addressing your symptoms with proactive strategies, you can overcome the challenges of ADHD and live the happy, fruitful life you deserve. 

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