You walk into a room and forget why you’re there. You start cleaning the kitchen but end up reorganizing your bookshelf instead.
Your friends think you’re just scattered, but something feels different.
If this sounds like you then you might have ADHD. The thing is, ADHD in women does not resemble what the majority expect it to be.
Why ADHD Gets Missed in Women
Most people think ADHD means being disruptive. That’s because the research focused on boys for decades.
Girls with ADHD were the quiet daydreamers in the back of the classroom, not the troublemakers.
This follows women into adulthood. They get labeled as:
- Too sensitive
- Disorganized
- Forgetful
- Emotional
However, no one considers the possibility of it being ADHD.
The Signs You Might Not Recognize
Everything Feels Too Much
Small things hit you hard. Your coworker’s comment ruins your whole day. A canceled plan makes you want to cry. You think you’re being dramatic, but your emotions just feel bigger than everyone else’s.
It’s how ADHD affects your brain.
Your Mind Never Stops
You’re thinking about work while doing chores. Planning dinner while in a meeting. Remembering the text you forgot to answer while trying to fall asleep.
People might call it multitasking. For you, it’s just existing. And it’s exhausting.
You’re a Perfectionist Out of Fear
Your planner is color-coded. Your house looks spotless when people visit. You check and recheck everything, as you are scared to get it wrong.
Everyday Life Feels Tough
Time Doesn’t Make Sense
You believe you can take a shower, dress up, eat and drive to work within 15 minutes.
You never seem to arrive on time, and you are not sure why.
Sometimes you will find yourself lost in work hours without noticing.
You Start Everything Yet Finish Nothing
- Partly read books on your nightstand.
- Art projects packed into closets.
- Unused downloaded apps.
- Memberships at the gym you promised to utilize.
Your brain craves new things and gets bored with routine.
Social Gatherings Drain You
You watch every word.
- Am I actually talking way too much?
- Did I interrupt them again?
- Am I fidgeting?
You come home from hanging out with friends and need three hours alone to recover.
Related: 7 Executive Functions Affected by ADHD: What You Should Know
How We Can Help at Ruby Reflections
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can change everything. But you need someone who actually understands how it shows up in women.
Kemisola “Kemi” Ebietomiye is our board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She’s worked with people of all ages across different settings. Outpatient clinics, hospitals, and community centers. She knows ADHD doesn’t always look like textbook examples.
Kemi takes time with appointments. She listens to your actual experience, not just a checklist of symptoms. Her approach is practical and focused on solutions that work for your real life.
Telehealth appointments are available.
Treatment Options
Treatment for ADHD includes:
- A thorough psychiatric evaluation
- Medication management
- Supportive psychotherapy
Reach Out
If this blog feels familiar, trust that instinct.
Getting answers changes everything:
- You stop blaming yourself
- You know your signs and patterns
- You obtain resources which can be of assistance
- You realize you’re not alone
Next Steps
You don’t have to keep struggling with things that seem easy for everyone else.
Ruby Reflections Mental Health specializes in understanding the real you, not just checking boxes on a form.
Find all the answers you want. Contact Ruby Reflections Mental Health. A single discussion can alter your perception of yourself forever.
Texas
469-250-1544
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347-378-3144
FAQs
Why is ADHD most often missed in women?
Early research focused on hyperactive boys. Women’s symptoms like daydreaming and emotional sensitivity were overlooked or dismissed as personality traits.
What are the habits of ADHD in adults?
- Starting tasks without finishing
- Losing track of time
- Procrastinating important things while hyperfocusing on random projects
- Creating elaborate systems to stay organized
What is a common misdiagnosis for women with ADHD?
Can be anxiety or depression. These often happen alongside ADHD or develop from years of untreated ADHD symptoms.
What are the 12 signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults?
- Trouble focusing
- Restlessness
- Impulsivity
- Disorganization
- Forgetfulness
- Emotional ups or downs
- Issues with time management
- Procrastination
- Hyperfocus
- Difficulty finishing tasks
- Trouble following through
- Feeling overwhelmed by all the daily responsibilities
