Women and ADHD

Women with ADHD also experience distinct developmental trajectories influenced by hormonal changes across life stages—from menstruation and pregnancy to menopause—which can exacerbate symptoms (Antoniou et al., Young et al.). Many women are first diagnosed in adulthood, often after a child receives a diagnosis, prompting a retrospective evaluation of their own longstanding difficulties (Attoe & Climie, 2023).

Gender norms and stereotypes also play a critical role in masking ADHD symptoms in females. Girls and women are more likely to internalize their struggles, presenting with anxiety or depression instead of overt hyperactivity, which can mislead clinicians (Lynch & Davison, 2024). As such, females are often misdiagnosed or missed altogether, leading to greater emotional burden and functional impairment over time (Chronis-Tuscano, 2022).

Clinically, it is crucial to adopt a lifespan perspective when evaluating ADHD in women, acknowledging fluctuating symptoms and their interplay with psychosocial stressors and hormonal changes (Young et al.). Educators and healthcare providers must be trained to recognize the subtle, internalizing profiles that characterize many women with ADHD (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014).

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The presentation of ADHD in women is notably different from that in men, often leading to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis. While the core symptoms—such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity—are shared across genders, women frequently exhibit predominantly inattentive symptoms, such as disorganization, forgetfulness, and mental fog, which are less likely to disrupt environments and thus more easily overlooked by clinicians (Antoniou et al.).