ADHD in Girls: Unique Symptom Presentation

Plain-language summary

Research suggests that ADHD can show up differently in girls compared to boys, which might make it harder for girls to get diagnosed. While there's a growing understanding of this, some of the evidence is still developing and more research is needed to fully understand these differences.

Key findings

• Girls with ADHD may be less likely to display the hyperactive and impulsive behaviors commonly seen in boys, often presenting more with inattentive symptoms like daydreaming or difficulty focusing.
• Girls with ADHD might internalize their struggles more, leading to conditions like anxiety or depression, which can sometimes overshadow their ADHD symptoms.
• The different ways ADHD shows up in girls can lead to a "hidden diagnosis," meaning it might be missed or misdiagnosed for many years.
• Diagnostic tools and criteria for ADHD have historically been based on presentations more common in boys, which may contribute to underdiagnosis in girls.
• Understanding these gender differences is crucial for improving early identification and support for girls with ADHD.

Studies cited (8)

1. ADHD symptoms and diagnosis in adult preterms: systematic review, IPD meta-analysis, and register-linkage study — Robinson R, Girchenko P, Pulakka A (2023, Pediatric research, meta-analysis)

   DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01929-1 PMCID: PMC10132969

2. Predictors of clinical recovery from concussion: a systematic review — Iverson GL, Gardner AJ, Terry DP (2017, British journal of sports medicine, systematic-review)

   DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-097729 PMCID: PMC5466929

3. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation vs Sham for the Treatment of Inattention in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: The TUNED Randomized Clinical Trial — Leffa DT, Grevet EH, Bau CHD (2022, JAMA psychiatry, rct)

   DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.2055 PMCID: PMC9350846

4. A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis — Quinn PO, Madhoo M (2014, The primary care companion for CNS disorders, review)

   DOI: 10.4088/PCC.13r01596 PMCID: PMC4195638

5. ADHD and female specific concerns: a review of the literature and clinical implications — Nussbaum NL (2012, Journal of attention disorders, review)

   DOI: 10.1177/1087054711416909

6. Perimenopausal symptoms in women with and without ADHD: A population-based cohort study — Jakobsdóttir Smári U, Valdimarsdottir UA, Wynchank D (2025, European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists, observational)

   DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2025.10101 PMCID: PMC12538516

7. Autism in Women — Ochoa-Lubinoff C, Makol BA, Dillon EF (2023, Neurologic clinics, other)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2022.10.006

8. Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women — Young S, Adamo N, Ásgeirsdóttir BB (2020, BMC psychiatry, other)

   DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9 PMCID: PMC7422602