ADHD Symptoms in Women: Understanding the Signs and Seeking Help
Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often envisioned as a condition affecting hyperactive boys, leading to many underdiagnosed women. The symptoms of ADHD are very similar for both genders, but traditionally, women exhibit ADHD differently from the more obvious signs exhibited in men.
I want to take this blog to highlight the symptoms, challenges, and possible treatments of women with ADHD, in what can be a confusing disorder with few clear answers.
What Is ADHD in Women?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by difficulty focusing, impulse management, and activity level control. ADHD is often portrayed as hyperactivity, especially in men, but women may experience it differently. For example, they may be inattentive, rather than hyperactive, and women's symptoms may be less obvious. Unfortunately, these symptoms and how they present can lead to diagnosing women much later, making it more difficult for them to get the support they need.
Which ADHD Symptoms Are Women Most Likely to Experience?
ADHD symptoms in women are considerably different from those of the hyperactive and impulsive boys they have been stereotyped as. The following are the common ADHD symptoms that women may experience:
- Inattention: Women experience problems with focus, are forgetful and disorganised, meaning that they can lose things, forget appointments, and have problems completing tasks.
- Emotional Dysregulation (Instability), irritability, and mood swings: In a woman's case, these emotions can feel monumental and be tough to manage when combined with stress. While this may be true of any restrictive disorder, it's the emotions and feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed that create chaos in women's lives.
- Chronic Procrastination: Women with ADHD tend to postpone doing things until the last minute. This puts unnecessary strain on women, especially at work and in school. In work and school, there is a need to meet deadlines. Doing anything last minute means you're adding stress to an already saturated plate.
- Time management: Women with ADHD have serious time management issues. They're almost always late to appointments, where the person they're meeting does not understand ADHD, nor the difficulties people with ADHD face in estimating how long tasks will take.
- Hyperfocus: Ironically, some women with ADHD may experience periods of hyperfocus - a highly focused activity that may mask negative behaviours. While it can feel productive to complete tasks while hyper-focused, women may end up neglecting other important activities.
Related Learning: ADHD Case Study
How Common are ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women?
ADHD symptoms in adult women are often underdiagnosed. This is sometimes because the symptoms are less obvious than those presented by boys with ADHD, who are often loud, rambunctious, and disruptive. ADHD has historically been diagnosed more often in men, largely due to the symptoms they present of hyperactivity and disruptions. However, residual research indicates that while ADHD is equally present in women and men, women can show a myriad of different symptoms as compared to men. Estimates state that approximately 4% of adult women in the U.S. have ADHD; still, many do not receive a diagnosis until their adult years.
What Causes ADHD in Women?
The causes of ADHD are not completely understood, but it is suspected that genetics plays a large role. Having a family member with ADHD (especially a parent and/or sibling) increases the likelihood that a woman will develop ADHD. Environmental factors (such as prenatal tobacco, alcohol, or lead exposure) play variable roles in the development of ADHD. Hormonal fluctuations in women, including hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, may influence the severity of ADHD symptoms in women, and to some extent, the severity of the symptoms may be more significant than just a behavioural challenge.
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
Diagnosing ADHD in adult women can be trickier than diagnosing ADHD in men. While those with ADHD may demonstrate hyperactivity and impulsivity, women may only show signs of ADHD through inability to focus, organisation issues, or acting out emotionally. Therefore, to diagnose ADHD, the individual needs a full evaluation from a healthcare professional (such as a psychiatrist or psychologist), who may gather information from the individual, their family and outside observers. Practitioners will use a procedure that typically consists of four steps:
- A detailed interview to discuss symptoms and family history
- Giving the individual multiple behavioural questionnaires
- Reviewing observations of patterns of behaviour across daily activities
- Ruling out other entities that present or mimic ADHD symptoms
How Is ADHD Treated, and Is There a Cure?
ADHD is a chronic, manageable condition. While there is no cure for it, with the right treatment, it can be managed appropriately. The best treatment normally includes some combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle adaptation to alleviate symptoms and allow women with ADHD to have fulfilling lives.
What Medications or Treatments Are Used?
- Stimulants: Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD, including methylphenidate (Ritalin) or amphetamines (Adderall). Stimulant medications increase levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate attention and behaviour.
- Non-Stimulants: If stimulants are ineffective or induce side effects, non-stimulant medications, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) or guanfacine (Intuniv), may be utilised.
- Behavioural Therapy: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may help women with ADHD develop strategies to manage time, enhance organisation, and reduce impulsivity. Therapy is also particularly useful in managing emotional symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, that often accompany ADHD.
- Lifestyle Changes: Developing routines, establishing organisational structures, and creating a structured environment may be helpful for women in managing their ADHD-related challenges. Regular physical activity and a healthy diet are also critical aspects of managing ADHD.
Why Choose Jagruti Rehab for ADHD Support
ADHD is a complex disorder, and when it is experienced by women, it can be particularly insidious. The symptoms can often be so subtle that they lead to underdiagnosis and a misunderstanding of how ADHD might be problematic for them. At Jagruti Rehab, we offer customised support to those experiencing symptoms of ADHD and treat people with a holistic approach.
You have access to experts to receive both medical and therapeutic treatment to help manage symptoms and work toward a better functioning life. Whether your difficulty lies in emotional instability, time management, or even a more global perception of being well, Jagruti Rehab is ready to help you. Contact us today to start your journey to better mental health.
Frequently asked questions
Signs of ADHD in adult women include inattention, disorganisation, forgetfulness, emotional dysregulation, procrastination, and poor time management. Women may have challenging moods and experience difficulty regulating their emotions, which can then affect their job stability and relationships.
ADHD symptoms in women and traits include losing track of time, completing tasks once they have started, interrupting others during a conversation, and feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities. These symptoms and traits can lead to anxiety and stress, which makes it harder to manage daily life in the long run.
ADHD treatment in women usually consists of a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), medications such as stimulants or non-stimulants, can help reduce ADHD symptoms in women and disorganisation. Establishing a routine with tools to promote organisation can also help with the management of ADHD.
High-functioning women with ADHD are incredibly adept at disorganisation, forgetfulness, and attention. They may have coping strategies where they overwork and/or use perfectionism to meet deadlines. While these women may appear successful on the surface, they are often struggling with burnout, stress and emotional challenges as a result of ADHD symptoms.
Dr. Amar Shinde, founder of Jagruti Rehab, is a renowned psychiatrist in India with over two decades of experience in mental health, addiction recovery, and neuropsychiatry, dedicated to holistic, compassionate patient care.
