ADHD in women and girls: The symptoms and why it’s often missed

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a hot topic right now – and for good reason. While it's commonly associated with hyperactive boys being diagnosed in early childhood, there's growing awareness that many females are being diagnosed much later in life.

Why the delay? The answer lies in how differently ADHD tends to show up in girls.

While boys might be bouncing off the walls, disrupting classrooms or play spaces, girls often present in much subtler ways.

Girls may seem:
- Dreamy
- Disorganised
- Prone to zoning out
- Losing focus
- Anxious
- Overwhelmed

These behaviours can easily be mistaken for personality traits or simply “daydreaming” rather than signs of a neurodevelopmental condition.

Because of this, girls with ADHD often slip under the radar.

Teachers and parents may not notice anything concerning, and many women don’t receive a diagnosis until adulthood – often after years of struggling with concentration, memory, or feeling mentally overloaded.

If you’ve been wondering whether ADHD could be affecting you or someone you care about, there’s help available.

A great first step is visiting ADHD.org.nz and taking their self-assessment tool. It’s free and can provide some insight into whether ADHD might be playing a role in your daily life.

If the results resonate with you, consider making an appointment with your GP to explore next steps. Getting the right support can be life-changing.

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