Women and girls experience the same core symptoms of ADHD as men and boys. However, how these symptoms manifest in their behaviors can look different compared to men and boys. This difference in manifestation has historically led to underdiagnosis in girls and women. Clinicians, parents, and other adults who work with children often look for the male model of ADHD symptoms, which focuses on hyperactivity and impulsiveness. When girls show inattention, excessive sociability, forgetfulness, talkativeness, or struggle with time management, these behaviors are often attributed to other causes or cultural expectations.
Table of Contents
Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD has three main types: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined inattentive and hyperactive.
Women and girls can exhibit any of these types, and the presentation and severity of symptoms can change over time. However, both research and lived experience suggest that girls and women most frequently exhibit the inattentive type:
- Does not pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
- Has difficulty sustaining attention, seems not to listen
- Struggles to follow through with instructions, finds organization challenging
- Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring prolonged mental effort, frequently loses things
- Is easily distracted, is forgetful in daily tasks
Assuming that women and girls only experience the inattentive type would be inaccurate. Many females report and describe “internal” hyperactivity and other unrecognized symptoms, with behaviors often culturally ascribed to highly “social” girls:
- Talks excessively
- Fidgets and often needs to move around
- Acts impulsively or speaks without thinking
- Appears to daydream but explains that her thoughts feel like they’re “going a million miles a minute,” and she struggles to focus on one topic
- Easily makes friends but finds it hard to maintain friendships
- Engages in self-harming behaviors or activities requiring extreme and unhealthy self-discipline
- Uses compensatory strategies, leading to working two to three times harder than peers to achieve the same success
- Fears of rejection by peers and clings to people or remains in unhealthy relationships
Additional indications of ADHD
Other signs of ADHD in girls and women, though not often listed as symptoms, include:
- Co-occurring depression and anxiety.
- Challenging romantic relationships can lead to intimate partner violence.
- Difficulty maintaining friendships.
- At least one area of life in disarray (such as a messy house, bedroom, or similar personal space).
The recommended approach for ADHD treatment in women and girls takes into account their unique needs, life stages, and symptom severity, along with other types of management.
In order for treatment to be effective, a multimodal approach that often includes medication, therapy, counseling, stress management techniques, and accommodations at work and home must be taken. Many women and girls also adopt various lifestyle changes to help manage their ADHD.
ADHD Treatment
ADHD-focused therapies address a wide range of issues, including self-esteem, interpersonal issues, daily health habits, stress levels, and life management skills. These interventions are often called “neurocognitive psychotherapy,” combining cognitive behavior therapy with other techniques. Cognitive behavior therapy focuses on psychological issues that stem from ADHD (such as self-esteem, self-acceptance, and self-blame), while cognitive rehabilitation focuses on life management skills for improving cognitive functions (like remembering, reasoning, understanding, problem-solving, evaluating, and using judgment), learning compensatory strategies, and restructuring the environment.
Medication Management for ADHD
Medication does not cure ADHD. When effective, it alleviates ADHD symptoms while it is active in a woman’s or girl’s body. There are two main categories of medications: stimulant and nonstimulant. Occasionally, clinicians may prescribe a medication off-label that was not originally developed for ADHD but has been found to improve some ADHD symptoms.
Behavior Management for Female ADHD Symptoms
For girls with ADHD, behavioral or psychosocial treatment may be recommended along with prescribed medications. Behavioral treatment for ADHD is important and can help significantly. Girls with ADHD face daily life problems that go beyond their symptoms, including poor academic performance, behavioral issues at school, difficulties with peers and siblings, failure to follow adult requests, and strained relationships with parents. These problems are crucial as they predict how children with ADHD will fare in the long term.
Behavioral treatments for ADHD should begin as soon as a girl or teen receives a diagnosis. Parents, schools, and practitioners should not delay effective behavioral treatments for kids with ADHD. There are interventions tailored for elementary-age students and others specifically for teenagers.
Try Goally For Your Child With ADHD
Goally helps kids with ADHD stay focused and build skills. Unlike a Kindle or an iPad that kids get easily distracted on, Goally has no YouTube, no social media, no web browser, and especially no ads.
Goally uses game play as a points-based motivator for your kiddo with ADHD and helps them learn emotional regulation skills. It’s simple to set up and has an expert-informed design.
Navigating treatment for female ADHD symptoms requires a comprehensive, personalized approach that considers their unique needs and life stages. Effective management often involves a combination of medication, therapy, and behavioral strategies tailored to address both ADHD symptoms and coexisting conditions. By understanding these complexities and seeking specialized care, women and girls with ADHD can lead more productive, satisfying lives. Embracing a multimodal treatment plan, including evidence-based autism tools, can significantly improve their overall well-being and daily functioning.
Helpful Resources
For more information about ADHD and autism treatment, parents can visit the following credible websites:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
FAQ’s About Female ADHD Symptoms
What are common symptoms of ADHD in females?
Common symptoms include inattentiveness, forgetfulness, excessive talking, and difficulty managing time.
How does ADHD manifest differently in females compared to males?
Females often exhibit inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactivity and may be underdiagnosed as a result.
Can hormonal changes affect ADHD symptoms in females?
Yes, hormonal fluctuations can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, particularly during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
Why are females with ADHD often undiagnosed?
Females are often undiagnosed because their symptoms can be less overt and are sometimes attributed to personality traits or emotional issues.
What strategies help manage ADHD symptoms in females?
Effective strategies include cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and using tools like visual schedules and emotional regulation apps.
Emily is a seasoned blog writer for Goally, leveraging her extensive background in child psychology and special education to provide valuable insights and resources for parents. Her commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs of these children, combined with her expertise in educational strategies, makes her a credible and empathetic voice for families.
