Key points
- Girls more often have the inattentive presentation, which is quieter and easier to overlook.
- Many women develop coping strategies that hide difficulties until life gets busier.
- If ADHD has been on your mind for a while, a GP appointment is a reasonable place to start.
For a long time, ADHD was mainly recognised in boys who were noticeably hyperactive. Girls and women with ADHD were more likely to be missed, or to be treated for anxiety or low mood without anyone asking why they were struggling in the first place. Awareness has grown, and many women are now being assessed in adulthood.
How ADHD can look different
ADHD is the same condition regardless of gender, but the way it shows up, and the way others respond to it, can differ. Women and girls are more likely to have the inattentive presentation. Signs can include:
- Daydreaming, drifting off in conversations or losing the thread of what is being said.
- Feeling chronically disorganised, despite trying hard to keep on top of things.
- Working late into the night to catch up, or relying on last-minute pressure to get things done.
- Talking a lot, or an inner restlessness rather than visible hyperactivity.
- Strong emotions, sensitivity to criticism and feeling overwhelmed.
- Exhaustion from the effort of appearing organised and in control.
Masking and coping strategies
Many women describe years of masking: working very hard to hide difficulties, copying the behaviour of others and building elaborate systems to stay organised. These strategies can work for a time, but they take a lot of energy. When demands increase, for example with university, a new job, parenting or caring for others, the strategies may no longer be enough.
Hormones and life stages
Some women notice that their symptoms feel worse at certain times, such as before a period, after having a baby or around perimenopause. Research in this area is still developing, but it is worth mentioning any patterns you notice to your doctor.
ADHD and other conditions
ADHD commonly occurs alongside anxiety, depression, sleep problems and other conditions. Sometimes these are recognised first. A careful assessment looks at the whole picture, so that support addresses what is really going on.
Talking to a GP
If you recognise yourself in this article, consider booking a longer appointment to talk it through. It helps to write down examples of your difficulties, when you first noticed them and how they affect your work, study, relationships and home life. School reports, or a conversation with a parent about what you were like as a child, can also help.
At Aberdeen Surgery, ADHD assessment and management is provided by Dr Layth Almallah as a private service, so a fee applies. Reception will give you the cost before you book. If you would prefer to see a female GP for a general consultation first, Dr Sasikala (Sasi) Hariharan and Dr Prishantha Sirisena are female GPs at the practice.
