Learn about ADHD symptoms that women specifically report along with treatment of ADHD in women.

The Facts

The Mayo Clinic reports that 7.5% of school-aged children have ADHD. The great majority of these children grow up to be adults with AD/HD, which means that there are between 4.5 to 5.5 million women in the USA alone with AD/HD.

If one thinks of the core symptoms of AD/HD: distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity, is it no wonder that woman struggle with seemingly simple tasks such as picking out clothes, keeping their home in order, handling paperwork at their jobs, maintaining healthy relationships, etc? We often forget the many AD/HD symptoms that aren't usually described in clinical journals and books, but which I've observed in countless women.

Not all AD/HD presents the same. Some people are hyperactive; others are sluggish. Some love having a lot of commotion and stimuli in their lives; others need to retreat to a quiet space to re-charge.

Symptoms Appearing in Women with ADHD

Consider the list of symptoms below that are not often described in the ADHD literature but which I hear described over and over again from the ADHD women I talk to. Is it any wonder that one's daily activities can be so overwhelming?

• Hypersensitive to noise, touch, smell
• Low feeling of self-worth
• Easily overwhelmed
• Hypersensitive to criticism
• Poor sense of time- often runs late
• Emotionally charged; easily upset
• Starts projects but can't seem to finish them
• Takes on too much
• Difficulty remembering names
• Says things without thinking, often hurting others' feelings
• Appears self-absorbed
• Poor math and;/or writing skills
• Doesn't seem to hear what others are saying
• Addictive behaviors: shopping, eating
• Problems with word retrieval
• Poor handwriting
• Has difficulty with boring, repetitive tasks
• Ruminates
• Difficulty making decisions
• Clumsy; poor coordination
• Tires easily or conversely, can't sit still
• Has problems falling asleep and difficulty waking up the next morning

Effects of Living with AD/HD

For some women with ADHD, just holding their own in a conversation can be a real challenge. Others avoid social gatherings because they miss social cues, making them feel out of step, thereby shutting down in order to save themselves possible embarrassment.

Many feel unable to entertain at home because the piles of clothes, papers and assorted knickknacks keep them away from inviting people over.

Relationships, work situations, parenting- all can become huge challenges for women living with undiagnosed and untreated AD/HD. The result of living for years with these difficulties often produces depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, substance abuse, and other co-morbid difficulties.