Women with ADHD
Because ADHD looks differently for women
ADHD and women
ADHD looks different for women and girls.
Many women with ADHD like myself, reach adulthood undiagnosed, developing strong coping strategies that can be maladaptive, and cause us to mask in order to fit in. ADHD was only formally diagnosable in UK adults in 2008. Decades of misunderstanding have left many women unsupported – particularly through the hormonal changes of mid-life.
It starts early: in school, boys are often identified early for hyperactive behaviour, but for girls, their hyperactivity can either be internalised, or simply conditioned to behave in socially accepted ways.
Although presentations are not always gender based, girls tend to internalise their symptoms – presenting as dreamy, anxious, perfectionistic, or sometimes overwhelmed. Into adulthood, this can become internalised anxiety. I myself was diagnosed with severe anxiety just a few years ago before receiving a formal diagnosis.
Thankfully, awareness is growing and support is available.
Find out more.
Key facts
🌻 In childhood, Girls are chronically undiagnosed, and especially in comparison to boys. In England, girls are diagnosed at just 0.67 per cent, compared with 2.55% for boy. This is despite population estimates suggesting around at least 5% of children have ADHD.
🌻In adulthood, although awareness is increasing, up to 3 in 4 women with ADHD in the UK may remain undiagnosed.
🌻 Women with ADHD are significantly more likely to experience anxiety, depression and low self-esteem compared to women without ADHD.
🌻 Women are diagnosed with ADHD on average 5 years later than men.
🌻 Due to naturally fluctuating hormones, women with ADHD are more severely impacted throughout key stages in their lives, especially during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and postpartum, and perimenopause and menopause.
Think you may have ADHD?
Coaching and support
Medication can be transformative, but it’s rarely the whole story. Coaching helps women translate insight into everyday change – understanding their executive-function profile, building systems that actually work for their brains, and restoring self-trust.
As an ADHD Works–accredited coach, I work with women who are newly diagnosed, exploring diagnosis, or simply seeking better coping strategies. My approach is:
- Gentle, practical and grounded in compassion
- Based on the Executive Functioning Framework used by ADHD Works
- Tailored for women navigating perimenopause, menopause or late diagnosis
- Focused on self-acceptance and building sustainable habits.
Coaching is forward-looking, collaborative and deeply validating. It helps move from “stuck and self-critical” to “steady and self-aware”.
Next Steps & Resources
If you suspect hormones or ADHD (or both) are impacting you:
- Speak to your GP or specialist about hormone changes and ADHD symptoms together – they are often linked.
- Explore ADHD coaching to rebuild confidence, routines and calm.
- Get informed – here are some useful UK resources:
Get in touch
Book a free 20 minute discovery call to see how I can help