ADHD in Girls: Recognizing Symptoms That Go Undetected

Why ADHD Often Goes Unnoticed in Girls

The way ADHD has been recognized and diagnosed has historically been based on how the symptoms show up in boys. Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disruptive behaviors common in boys with ADHD tend to draw attention, making it more likely they’ll be referred for testing and diagnosed with ADHD early.

However, outwardly disruptive behaviors aren’t the only symptoms of ADHD. There are actually three types of ADHD:

• Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD: This type includes symptoms like fidgeting, restlessness, talking excessively, and acting without thinking.
• Inattentive ADHD: This type includes symptoms like difficulty focusing, following instructions, staying organized, and completing tasks.
• Combined ADHD: This type includes a combination of hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive symptoms.

Researchers have found that boys are more likely to have hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. On the other hand, girls are more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms, which can be mistaken for carelessness or laziness instead of a neurological difference. Additionally, girls are more likely to mask (hide) their symptoms by working harder to avoid falling behind in school or being seen as difficult.

Just because girls are less likely to act out, it doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling. Since the symptoms don’t always match up with the traditional image of ADHD, a girl with inattentive type ADHD may not get the support she needs.

Signs of ADHD in Girls That Are Commonly Missed

Some ADHD symptoms in teen girls can be subtle and might be mistaken for personality traits or emotional issues. Recognizing these overlooked signs of ADHD in girls can help them get the support they need sooner.

Emotional dysregulation and sensitivity

Girls with ADHD often experience emotions very intensely. They might cry easily, get overwhelmed quickly, or struggle to manage their frustration. Instead of being recognized as a symptom of ADHD, others may misread this as moodiness or anxiety.

Chronic daydreaming or mental drift

Inattentive-type ADHD can look like zoning out, appearing “spacey,” or having trouble following conversations or instructions. This mental drift can be mistaken for laziness or disinterest when it’s actually an overlooked sign of ADHD in teen girls.

People-pleasing and perfectionism as coping

Girls with ADHD may overcompensate for their struggles by trying to be the “good girl.” It may look like being overly helpful, agreeable, or a perfectionist. Girls may use these people-pleasing behaviors to mask their anxiety about underperforming and symptoms like disorganization and difficulty focusing. Since these symptoms are being covered up, it’s harder for adults to recognize that their child is struggling in the first place.

Social challenges and impulsive talkativeness

ADHD symptoms in teenage girls may be misread as being rude or immature because of difficulty with conversational timing. They may interrupt others, talk too much, and struggle to pick up on other social cues in a conversation. This can make it difficult to maintain friendships and navigate group dynamics.

The Emotional Cost of Late or Missed ADHD Diagnosis

When ADHD in girls goes unrecognized, the emotional impact can be deep and long-lasting. Without a clear explanation for their challenges, some girls may begin to blame themselves. They grow up thinking they’re lazy, disorganized, or “too much.” They may even think they don’t try hard enough, when in reality, they have to work twice as hard to keep up.

While ADHD symptoms are often more severe in childhood, many symptoms continue to affect daily life in female adults. Over time, the effort to mask ADHD symptoms takes a toll. Constantly trying to meet others’ expectations while internally hiding their own struggles can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and burnout. In fact, girls with ADHD are more likely than boys to also experience anxiety and depression.

Girls who are diagnosed in their late teens or adulthood may feel a mix of relief and grief. There’s relief in knowing there is a reason for their struggles, and grief for all the years they were misunderstood and unsupported.

What to Do if You Suspect ADHD

If you notice signs of ADHD in yourself, your daughter, or a student, trust your instincts. You don’t need to wait for them to act out or fall behind in school to seek help or treatment. ADHD symptoms in girls look different, but they’re just as valid and deserve attention.

If the ADHD signs and symptoms look familiar to you or a girl in your life, start by reaching out to a pediatrician or mental health care provider who has experience with ADHD in girls. If possible, try to find a provider who has experience with ADHD in girls and uses gender-sensitive screening tools to help with diagnosis.

Awareness around ADHD in girls seems to be shifting. In 2022, a higher percentage of girls were diagnosed with ADHD than ever. With greater understanding and more inclusive evaluation, more girls will be able to get an early diagnosis and the support they need.

Supportive Strategies That Make a Difference

The right support can help girls with ADHD feel seen, understood, and more in control of their lives. Supportive strategies can be helpful to everyone, even if you haven’t received a formal ADHD diagnosis. Below are a few supportive strategies for ADHD in teen girls and adults.

H3: Normalize rest and reduce shame

Girls with ADHD may push themselves to meet expectations that don’t match how their brains work. When ADHD symptoms make focus, organization, and emotional regulation more difficult, it can lead to shame and burnout.

Building in regular breaks and calming routines can help normalize the need to rest. Examples of some activities you can do during a break to help support emotional regulation include:

• Stretching or yoga
• Listening to calming music
• Deep breathing exercises
• Doodling or coloring
• Taking a short walk outside
• Playing with a sensory toy

Taking breaks for self-care isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a powerful tool to manage ADHD symptoms in girls. When rest is normalized, girls can feel freer to treat themselves with compassion instead of criticism for seeking the support they need.

H3: Use visual aids and time-based tools

Girls with ADHD may have trouble knowing how long a task will take, remembering steps in a task, or staying organized. Visual aids and time-based tools can help reduce mental load and make everyday tasks easier.

Visual aids can help turn abstract expectations into clear and manageable steps. Examples of helpful tools to support focus, memory, and time blindness in ADHD include:

• Visual checklists for each routine (such as the steps to get ready for bedtime)
• Picture schedules or planners for younger girls
• Color-coded calendars for school assignments and activities
• Digital planners or task management apps
• Countdown timers
• Strategically placed sticky notes

The right tools and ADHD hacks can help create a stable, predictable environment that reduces the stress of everyday tasks. Thus, they can more confidently complete tasks.

H3: Provide space for emotional processing

Neurological differences in girls with ADHD can make them more emotionally sensitive. As a result, they may react strongly to stress or frustration. These big feelings aren’t bad behavior—they’re part of how ADHD affects emotional regulation.

Girls with ADHD may need more space to process their emotions in a healthy way. Some ways to help support emotional processing without judgment include:

• Setting aside time each day for an emotional check-in
• Creating a calm and cozy space to reduce stimulation
• Using emotion wheels or charts to help girls name what they’re feeling
• Journaling or drawing
• Practicing positive self-talk
• Responding with curiosity instead of correction when girls have an emotional outburst

When girls feel safe expressing big emotions, they’re more likely to build emotional awareness and coping skills and less likely to internalize shame about their feelings.

Get Help With ADHD Through Talkspace

If you or a girl in your life is struggling with ADHD symptoms, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Talkspace connects you to licensed therapists who specialize in ADHD across age and gender, including care tailored for ADHD in women and girls.

Therapy can be a powerful tool for building self-understanding, improving your daily functioning, and letting go of shame and confusion that can come with an ADHD diagnosis. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or supporting a daughter with ADHD, the licensed therapists at Talkspace can help. With Talkspace, you can access flexible, stigma-free online treatment for ADHD from the privacy of your own home on your schedule.