If you’re searching for ADHD symptoms in women, today I’m sharing my story and steps I’m taking to get diagnosed and treatment.
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Earlier this year, I opened up about how hard 2024 was for me. Leaving the corporate world and an extremely toxic job that I still feel like I have PTSD from (self-diagnosed, of course), had left me questioning everything. I have always been a creature of routine and thrived in any roles that I have ever had professionally, but at the end of last year, I started thinking deeper.
I chalked it up to being “scatterbrained,” “easily distracted,” or just “not great at time management” because the role I was in was so high pressure and very obviously not a right fit for me. But then I got to a point where I was feeling completely overwhelmed by even the smallest tasks.
It wasn’t until I started reading about ADHD symptoms in women that a thought hit me—Could this be me?
The truth is, ADHD in adult women often looks very different from the hyperactive little boys we associate with the condition. How do I know this? We have a 16-year old with ADHD and I have blogged openly about his entire journey in hopes of connecting and helping others in the same situation.
I then realized after having a conversation with a best friend who also happens to be a therapist, that many women go undiagnosed for years, struggling in silence because their symptoms don’t match the stereotypes.
Today, I want to share my personal journey of recognizing the signs, understanding ADHD symptoms in women, and learning how to navigate the challenges that come with it. If you’ve ever felt like your brain is working against you, keep reading—you’re not alone.
Why ADHD Symptoms in Women are Often Overlooked
For decades, ADHD was primarily studied in young boys, and the symptoms were described in a way that didn’t fully apply to women. Boys with ADHD are often hyperactive, impulsive, and disruptive in class—behaviors that are easy to spot. Whenever we initially took Branden for his ADHD diagnoses many years ago, the therapist looked right at Chris and said that Branden got it from him. However, I’ve been thinking that might not actually be the case. ADHD symptoms in women are presented differently, which can cause it to be completely overlooked.
ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women Look More Like:
- Constantly feeling overwhelmed, even with “simple” tasks
- Struggling with organization, time management, and planning
- Forgetting appointments, deadlines, or conversations
- Starting projects with excitement, then abandoning them midway
- Procrastination or avoiding tasks that require focus
- Interrupting others in conversations (not to be rude, but because you’ll forget your thought otherwise!)
- Emotional sensitivity, feeling anxious, or dealing with low self-esteem
Women with ADHD often become masters of masking—finding ways to compensate, overwork, or rely on last-minute adrenaline rushes to get things done. But inside, many of us are struggling, exhausted, and frustrated with ourselves.
RELATED: 5 Things I Remind Myself Daily As an ADHD Mom
My Personal ADHD Journey: The “Aha!” Moment
Overall, I have never struggled with disorganization, forgetfulness, and lack of focus, however, the lack of focus started to develop more in my later 30s. Even now, sometimes I will get overwhelmed with tasks and then sit and stare at the computer as time passes until I can get my thoughts gathered back together. I have openly struggled with anxiety my whole life and have shared that journey here, too, but I started thinking that my anxiety could be a symptom of ADHD in women.
That was when things started to click and I began researching and asking questions.
The real turning point came when I saw a TikTok video about ADHD in women, and it felt like someone had literally read my mind. I started researching ADHD symptoms in adult women and couldn’t believe how many applied to me.
I wasn’t lazy—I was struggling with executive function issues.
I wasn’t just forgetful—my brain had trouble filtering and prioritizing information.
I wasn’t “bad at adulting”—I had been trying to operate in a world that wasn’t designed for my brain.
It was a moment of relief and frustration. Relief that I wasn’t alone, but frustration that I had spent so many years blaming myself instead of understanding how my brain actually worked.
RELATED: The Mental Weight on an ADHD Mom
How ADHD in Adult Women Affects Daily Life
Even if you’ve always suspected something was different about the way your brain works, ADHD can show up in unexpected ways, making daily life more challenging than it should be.
Work & Productivity Struggles:
- Difficulty staying on task or completing projects without distractions
- A tendency to hyperfocus on unimportant details instead of the big picture
- Procrastination followed by intense, last-minute productivity
Emotional & Mental Health Challenges:
- Feeling overwhelmed by minor tasks
- Intense emotions, sometimes leading to anxiety or depression
- Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (a heightened emotional response to criticism or perceived failure)
Home & Personal Life:
- A never-ending to-do list with half-finished projects
- Forgetting important dates, like birthdays or school events
- Cluttered spaces that feel impossible to keep organized
Sound familiar? If any of this resonates with you, it might be worth exploring ADHD further.
Seeking Answers & Finding Support
If you suspect you may have ADHD, talking to a medical professional is the first step. An ADHD diagnosis isn’t just about having difficulty focusing—it’s about how these challenges impact your daily life.
- Journaling your struggles can help you recognize patterns in your thinking and behavior.
- Speaking with a doctor, therapist, or ADHD specialist can provide clarity and potential treatment options.
- Seeking ADHD-friendly tools & strategies (like planners designed for ADHD brains, habit-tracking apps, and coaching) can make a huge difference.
ADHD isn’t something that just goes away, but with understanding, support, and the right tools, it can become manageable—and even an advantage! Many women with ADHD are incredibly creative, passionate, and adaptable thinkers—they just need to find systems that work for them.
RELATED: Behavioral Therapy for ADHD: Branden’s Update
Final Thoughts: If You Suspect ADHD, You’re Not Alone
I don’t have all the answers yet, but what I do know is this: understanding my brain has been life-changing.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why am I like this?”—I encourage you to dig deeper. ADHD in women is real, often overlooked, and completely valid. The more we talk about it, the more women can find answers, support, and strategies that actually help.
Have you ever questioned if you might have ADHD? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!
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XOXO,
Allison
I don’t know much about ADHD but I do know that my brain is long outta my control. I can not stay in one spot for long. I start a project & can’t ever finish it. My thoughts are everywhere but where I need it to be. My daughter tells me that I should go to a psychiatrist & that spins me into a wourlwind that eats at me . I don’t sleep much. I moved in to my new apartment going on over a year and I seem to continue to pack & unpack. I forget what I was doing & I walk away just to sit down and stare in space. Then I begin to cry get mad at everyone and everything. I’m grieving as well & I at times feel like I wish it was me that passed instead of my fiance of 8 years. I didn’t even get to tell him. Goodbye, I wasn’t there. I had to find out through Facebook that he had passed and that was only in 2023 so I don’t know. I have anxiety. I have depression bipolar personality disorder and I take medications for that but what do I do for my mind it never stops. It never stays in one place. It’s always everywhere but where I need it to be. What do I do? Please help me. I can’t do this anymore on my own. I would have really appreciate it. Thank you for the time to read this. I appreciate it
Thank you so much for your comment Darlene, I am so sorry that you are going through this. First, I’m so glad that you have the support of your daughter to lean on, that is so important. I agree with her that you should speak with a doctor because learning coping skills or being put on medication that will help to quiet and slow down your mind will make such a huge difference in your everyday life. Sending you love and prayers!