ADHD looks different in women and poses unique health risks

ADHD has long been treated as a condition that primarily affects boys, but researchers and clinicians say it looks markedly different in girls and women, leading to widespread underdiagnosis and, in many cases, serious harm. Rather than the overt hyperactivity typically associated with boys, girls with ADHD tend to appear distracted, disorganised or "in the clouds," symptoms that are easily overlooked or misattributed, meaning many women are not diagnosed until adulthood or midlife, if at all.

The consequences of missed or delayed diagnosis can be severe: women with undiagnosed ADHD show higher rates of substance abuse, eating disorders, self-harm and vulnerability to abusive relationships, alongside greater risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. One UK study cited in the article found women with ADHD die nearly nine years earlier than those without the condition. Experts also point to hormonal factors, noting that oestrogen fluctuations during perimenopause can worsen symptoms, and that women with ADHD tend to enter perimenopause earlier and more severely. Treatment options highlighted include medication, cognitive behavioural therapy, hormone replacement therapy where appropriate, and lifestyle changes such as exercise and adjustments to work or daily routines.