⏰ Why do women get a late ADHD diagnosis?
Late diagnosis implications
Why are women often underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed?
For several reasons, including differences in symptoms, societal expectations, and medical biases. Here’s why:
A. Women Often Have Inattentive ADHD, Which Is Less Noticeable
Many girls and women with ADHD have the inattentive subtype (formerly called ADD), which means they struggle with focus, forgetfulness, and organization rather than hyperactivity.
Instead of being disruptive in class (like boys with hyperactive ADHD), they might: Daydream a lot and seem "spaced out"
Struggle with following instructions but quietly suffer
Seem forgetful or disorganized but get dismissed as "scatterbrained"
Teachers and parents are more likely to notice and refer hyperactive boys for ADHD testing, while inattentive girls go overlooked.
B. Women Learn to Mask ADHD from an Early Age
Girls with ADHD often observe and copy the behaviors of neurotypical peers to fit in.
They may develop perfectionist tendencies or rely on rigid structures (planners, routines) to compensate for executive dysfunction.
Many learn to suppress their hyperactivity, which means they fidget internally (biting nails, tapping feet, etc.) instead of running around.
Because they appear to be "managing," their struggles are dismissed as personality traits rather than ADHD symptoms.
C. Societal Expectations for Women Hide ADHD Symptoms
Women are often expected to be:
✅ Organized
✅ Emotionally mature
✅ Good at multitasking
✅ Responsible caregivers
When a woman struggles with these areas due to ADHD, she is more likely to be labeled "lazy," "overwhelmed," or "bad at adulting" instead of being evaluated for ADHD.
A man forgetting appointments might be seen as "absent-minded," while a woman doing the same is judged as "irresponsible" or "not trying hard enough."
D. Women Are More Likely to Be Diagnosed with Anxiety or Depression
Instead ADHD in women often presents as:
Chronic overwhelm
Difficulty managing daily life
Emotional dysregulation
Low self-esteem from years of struggling
Because these symptoms overlap with anxiety and depression, many women get diagnosed with those instead—without anyone realizing ADHD is the root cause.
- ADHD-related Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) also makes women highly sensitive to criticism, which can look like social anxiety or mood instability.
E. Late Diagnoses Lead to More Burnout & Mental Health Struggles
Many women only get diagnosed in adulthood, often after:
Burning out from years of masking
Struggling with work or relationships
Getting diagnosed with depression or anxiety that doesn’t improve with treatment
Having children and realizing their child’s ADHD symptoms are similar to their own
By the time they get diagnosed, many women have spent years feeling:
❌ Like they are broken
❌ Like they are failing at "basic life skills"
❌ Like they just need to "try harder"
Getting a diagnosis can be life-changing, providing relief and the right strategies for managing ADHD.