How to Diagnose ADHD in Female Adults

ADHD in girls and women often goes undiagnosed. According to the Centers for Disease Control, boys are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. One possible reason for the underdiagnosis of girls is that girls with the predominantly inattentive type of ADHD are not disruptive and their behaviors may be seen as more socially acceptable. 

Here are 4 ADHD symptoms that could indicate you have ADHD:

1- Extreme focus & loss of interest

It’s typical for women with ADHD to feel either feel hyper-focused and unable to switch tasks when they know they should or to have difficulties sustaining focus. ADHD highly affects your ability to concentrate, sustained focus, inhibit competing thoughts, stimuli, and behaviors, and stop an engaging task when needed. 

2- Procrastinating challenging tasks

Difficulties with time management and self-organization is a common feature of ADHD.  Individuals with ADHD often procrastinate starting important tasks.  A common complaint of individuals with ADHD is planning to do a task at a later time, forgetting about it, and then finally starting the task once they are feeling under great pressure due to an approaching deadline.

3- Daydreaming & self-esteem issues

While we all daydream, individuals with ADHD often “tune out” or become distracted in the middle of a conversation or task due to their daydreaming. Daydreaming becomes a problem if it gets in the way of achieving goals.

4- Being overly talkative, impulsive, and interrupting others

Individuals with ADHD have difficulties inhibiting their behaviors. They also find that they have difficulties keeping thoughts in their mind to be used at a later time. Due to these issues, individuals of ADHD will often interrupt others will be overly talkative. Sometimes they interrupt because of difficulties inhibiting their speech and waiting their turn to speak. Other times, they will interrupt because they are fearful they will forget what they’re going to say. Additionally, individuals with ADHD can fail to monitor their environment and continue to talk without awareness that others are waiting to speak.

If you are a woman who has concerns you may have ADHD, reach out to Pathways Neuropsychology Associates at (732) 930-2242 for a comprehensive assessment.

At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates we use evidence-based evaluation instruments and treatments to get you, your loved one, or your child on the path to success. If you or someone you love are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, call now and get started!