Recognizing ADHD in Girls: Why It’s Often Missed and What to Look For
Often, when parents picture ADHD, they imagine a restless, impulsive child who can’t sit still. But ADHD doesn’t always look like that—especially for girls. As a result, many girls with ADHD are overlooked, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed for years. Understanding the differences in how ADHD presents in girls is key to getting them the support they need.
Why ADHD in Girls Is Often Missed
1. The Stereotype Problem
The classic image of ADHD—hyperactivity, loudness, disruptive behavior—matches how ADHD more often (but not always!) presents in boys. Girls are more likely to have inattentive-type ADHD, which is less visible.
2. Coping Through Overcompensation
Many girls with ADHD work extremely hard to mask their difficulties—over-preparing, staying quiet, or “people pleasing” to avoid drawing attention to their struggles.
3. Mislabeling as Anxiety or Depression
Because ADHD in girls often looks like daydreaming, forgetfulness, or emotional overwhelm, it can be mistaken for mood or anxiety disorders. Sometimes, those conditions develop secondarily from years of unrecognized ADHD.
4. The Social Penalty
Hyperactive or impulsive behavior in girls is often judged more harshly than in boys, leading some to internalize their struggles rather than act out.
What ADHD Can Look Like in Girls
Frequent daydreaming or “zoning out”
Messy or disorganized spaces and schoolwork despite effort
Trouble following through on tasks, especially those that are boring or lengthy
Easily overwhelmed by complex instructions or busy environments
Emotional sensitivity—big reactions to small setbacks, quick to tears
Restlessness that may be internal (mind racing) rather than physical
Difficulty prioritizing and managing time
Social challenges, such as interrupting or missing cues in conversation
Why Early Recognition Matters
When ADHD goes unnoticed in girls, it can lead to:
Low self-esteem (“Why can’t I get it together like everyone else?”)
Chronic stress and burnout from overcompensating
Academic struggles despite high potential
Increased risk for anxiety, depression, and eating disorders
Early recognition allows for tailored strategies, whether that’s therapy, skill-building, medication, or academic accommodations. With the right help, girls with ADHD can not only keep up with friends and classmates, but access their superpowers to thrive!
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy can help girls with ADHD (and adult women who were never diagnosed) by:
Gaining critical insight to understand that their struggles are not a matter of laziness or defiance, but a neurological difference that can be treated!
Providing strategies for organization, time management, and focus
Building self-esteem and self-compassion
Addressing co-occurring anxiety or depression
Helping families understand and support their child effectively
Creating a safe space to process the frustration of feeling misunderstood
If you suspect that your child might be struggling with ADHD, our team can help you navigate the process of determining a diagnosis and getting the right support for your child to not only manage symptoms but access the incredible strengths of having an ADHD brain!
